Megan Herbert and Nobuko Okumura
Megan worked with jeweller designer / maker Nobuko Okumura at her workshop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Megan was especially interested in working with metal: Nobuko introduced her to jewellery and metalwork hand skills, techniques, materials, specialist tools, equipment and machinery. They also explored the design process, and how ideas transition through the making process and into finished pieces.
As part of Megan’s research during the project, Megan and Nobuko visited Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The work Megan produced during her time with Nobuko is inspired by natural forms and processes, and how leaves and flowers look at different stages. Her pieces capture moments in their life cycle.
Applying her newly acquired knowledge, Megan let her ideas guide the making process, resulting in her collection of jewellery and artworks for the Made in the Middle exhibition, Differences of Nature and Blooming Imagination. Her silver ring and pendant are symbolic of her Crafting Pathways experience, and show how her own ideas were able to bloom during her learning journey, when they were ready to do so.
“This experience has helped widen my knowledge about more jobs in the art world and had helped give me ideas for future jobs.”
Crafting Pathways
Part of Made in the Middle, Crafting Pathways pairs young people with professional artists to develop their artistic skills, interests and identities, and learn more about what it is like to work as an artist.
Research, documentation and storytelling by Hayley Salter, a Birmingham based photographer, film-maker and creative producer.
