design process

I was commissioned by Leigh and Vicki Smith to create a jewellery collection to be worn by and celebrate their South Mainland Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad. After initial discussions with them, I created mood boards of images, played with ideas and pencilled initial concepts. Wolves teeth (the incisors, carnassials and fangs) caught my imagination and became the prevailing symbol.

Leigh and Vicki provided valuable feedback as the designs developed from my drawings. We discussed Leigh as Jarl (head viking) having a bold wolf ring to echo the wolf motif on his axe and breastplate.

I hand drew the design of the Snarl Ring, then created a wax carving which was cast in silver to produce a ‘master pattern’ and used to reproduce the final pieces in a range of precious metals. Each ring is hand-finished in Hoswick and Hallmarked in Edinburgh.

Karlin