From Hatton Gardens to Waterperry - Commissioning Jewellery at Art in Action: 16 – 19 July

A few years ago I thought I had lost my diamond ring and I was devastated. The ring is a family heirloom, passed down from my great grandmother, simple but beautiful. It turned out the kids had just borrowed it to play with, and I found it under one of their beds. I was surprised at just how grief stricken I felt as I searched frantically, and these days it is rarely removed from my finger.

I imagine I would be even more attached if the ring had been specially made for me. I've never commissioned a piece of jewellery but if I did, I might pay a visit to Patrick Wyatt, a bespoke Jeweller.

Patrick certainly knows his stuff when it comes to creating a beautiful piece of jewellery. However, he also has a good understanding of human nature and is very clear about what jewellery symbolises “jewellery is about celebration, whether it's an engagement, a wedding or a birthday…it's an expression of love and an expression of unity”.

He often finds himself designing engagement rings with a suitor and therefore doesn't meet the lady for whom the ring is destined. In the initial consultation he has to glean as much information about her as possible. “I ask the man what kind of jewellery does she like, what kind of person is she, what is important to her? Is she tall or short, reserved or outgoing? What kind of clothes does she wear and then there's the question of what is your budget! All these things go into a melting pot and there's always the right ring out there for her. The recipient always appreciates something far more when its been designed and made specifically for her, rather than off the peg – it makes her feel very loved to know that she is worth all that effort.”

Most importantly Patrick must gain the clients trust, allay any fears and give them the confidence to know they'll make the right choices. Although he's the designer and has the expertise, the client also makes a lot of decisions along the way. “I know it'll be a great piece, but they don't! I admire men who are not artistically orientated but still have the courage to design a piece.”

In the second consultation Patrick will show the client a number of different gemstones, up to four of any particular kind (so as not to confuse) and put these in the chosen setting to show roughly what the final piece will look like. From there the piece is made. Patrick is also keen to stress that he'll always change anything if they don't like the final piece, although he assures me this very rarely happens.

This method of commissioning jewellery, that starts with considering the nature of the wearer, is a much more considered and organic process. Very different to my habit of window shopping in every jeweller's shop I see for what sparkles brightest!

You can meet Patrick at Art in Action, in the Metalwork and Jewellery marquee (which incidentally he also curates). This year he'll be taking visitors through this process of commissioning and hopefully some pieces will made by some of the demonstrating artists.

Art in Action is a festival of fine art and master craftsmanship, held every July, and now in its 31st year, one of the longest running in the UK. Artists not only exhibit their work in a large range of disciplines but also demonstrate their craft for the visiting public. This allows the opportunity for dialogue and visitors can watch, learn and ask questions as well as commission and buy art. Apart from Metalwork and Jewellery, the marquees set in the ground of Waterperry House, Oxfordshire host artists practicing Painting, Sculpture, Drawing and Printmaking, Calligraphy and Illustration, Ceramics, Glass, Textiles, Woodwork, Nature in Art and Mexican Arts.

The sixteen artists demonstrating in the Metalwork and Jewellery marquee include a mixture of familiar faces and newcomers. There is a predominance of silverwork this year in order to show that it is possible to buy high quality without paying the earth for it.

Barbara Christie has demonstrated at Art in Action for over twenty years, her work unites a sculptural quality with the best possible wearability and she uses a lot of unusual stones from around the world including boulder and fire opals and brown and red diamonds. She will be demonstrating the use of the Hydraulic Press and making hollow forms.

Joff Hopper was ‘National Champion Blacksmith 2007' and Metal Pig Forge is where his contemporary vision combined with traditional hot forging has earned him a reputation for quality, subtlety and beauty in ironwork, all of which he'll be demonstrating at Art in Action.

Karen Green appears for the first time and will be demonstrating three dimensional repousse copper sculptures, which she uses to create her novel weathervanes. Nigel Graham, also new to Art in Action, will be using traditional hand tools, to produce jewellery and one of his fantasy clock designs.

Rebecca Joselyn graduated 6 years ago and has already garnered a host of awards. Her exquisite and functional silverware ranges from cruet sets to bookmarks but is so contemporary and stylish you might want to keep it in a special place!

Maike Barteldres is returning from New Zealand to demonstrate her unique method of molding molten silver around pebbles and stones and fashioning them into stylish jewellery. Also employing some unusual techniques is Daniella Dobesova who uses wire forming and coiling methods to produce elegant spirals and coils in her jewellery.

Hannah Louise Lamb is returning to show her hand piercing skills that produce crisp and intricate jewellery designs, while Jane Moore will be demonstrating her enamelled silver jewellery which combines contemporary themes with a touch of nostalgia.

Jinks McGrath will be melting silver and gold and forging them into rings and bracelets. Her work has been inspired by her visits to India, Thailand and Africa where she has watched and worked alongside local craftsmen.

Also appear are Leonardo Pieroni who will be creating bespoke jewellery with an Italian sense of style; Lucy Jade Sylvester who will be producing her trademark jewellery inspired by the delicacies of the countryside, such as acorns, poppy seed heads and stag beetles; and Stella Campion, an Art in Action favourite, whose designs are influenced by wild life and plant life and applied to tableware, jewellery and plaques.

Polly Wales returns to the show to demonstrate experimental wax casting techniques to produce a range of designs from filigree earrings to bold beaded necklaces and Victoria Kershaw is also back to demonstrate silversmithing processes which create her fresh and novel designs in functional tableware.

If you can drag yourself out of the Metalwork and Jewellery tent, you can also enjoy a range of practical classes; lectures; fine wine; artisan food; live music and performing arts. There really is something for everyone.

Venue: Art in Action, Waterperry House, Near Wheatley, OXFORD OX33 1JZ [e] info@artinaction.org.uk [w] www.artinaction.org.uk [t] 020 7381 3192 Date: 16-19 July 2009 Open: 10am-5.30pm daily