Adorn: Jewellery the Human Story covers almost 4000 years of changing fashions in jewellery. From gold earrings worn by wealthy Roman women to the devotional rings of medieval Christians, the desire to express ourselves through the objects we wear has remained the same.  

Nowadays personal adornment is not just limited to jewellery, the rise in popularity of tattoos and piercings has provided another way for people to adorn themselves. We decided to ask local people to share the stories behind their jewellery and tattoos. 

Sabine Brauns  

Now living in Colchester, Sabine was born in Germany and trained as a jeweller in a small workshop in Düsseldorf. She moved to London in 1989, and then Essex in 2000.  

Sabine’s work is inspired by organic and geometric shapes, which she creates in both silver and gold.  

Charlie Leftley 

Charlie began her artistic studies at Colchester Institute and went on to train at Sir John Cass College in London, where she gained a degree in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Allied crafts. For the work on display in Adorn, Charlie has used traditional techniques to explore themes such as strength, delicacy, the microscopic, and the lines of life (fingerprints, wrinkles) through form. 

Lynn Powell 

Lynn was born and raised in Colchester. She is a self-taught maker who started off creating beaded jewellery. She now uses the chainmail technique to create patterns in her jewellery by using different sized rings and wire gauges.  

Lucy Quinn 

Lucy first came to Essex 14 years ago and now runs her own jewellery business ‘Harvey & Quinn’ from her home in Saffron Walden. 

For the ‘filigree’ collection, she has taken inspiration from vintage buttons to create a series of pieces that are both nostalgic and classic. 

Holly Stant 

Holly was born and raised in Colchester and completed a degree in Contemporary Jewellery at Rochester University in 2018.  

For the ‘home’ collection, Holly has responded to maps and locations of Colchester. Her work utilises drawing and collaging techniques to test how different shapes, colours and symbols fit together. 

Emma Turpin 

Emma graduated from Middlesex University with a degree in Jewellery and now runs her own business from her home in Quendon, Saffron Waldon. She also co-manages a jewellery school on the Essex/Hertfordshire border. 

The ‘Maidens Garlands’ collection is inspired by traditional crafts and folklore. Emma uses a variety of materials including gold, silver, shell and quartz to create wearable pieces of art. 

Catch up on our blog articles connected to Adorn:

• Behind the Bling 
• What Didn’t Make The Cut? – by Senior Collections + Learning Curator, Glynn
• Natural Wonders – by Collections + Learning Curator, Sophie
• Object Loans – by Collections Information Officer, Rory
• Symbols – by Collections + Learning Curator, Ben
• A Volunteers View – by Adorn Volunteer, Tom
• Viking Ring – by Saffron Waldon Museum Curator, Carol Wingfield
• Your Stories – by Your Stories participant, Claire
• A New Curator’s Perspective – by Collections + Learning Curator, Liz
• Timeless Pieces – by Adorn Volunteer, Nicola
• Medieval Decade Ring – by Epping Forest Museum Collections Manager, Jill Holman
• Protective Roman Jewellery – by author, Caroline Lawrence