Magical jewellery woven with memories & connection. Bespoke and one of a kind pieces inspired by historical ornament, maximalism and decoration.
Handmade Jewellery Collections
Browse rings, earrings and necklaces designed and made in Rachael’s Portsmouth studio. Each piece is made individually, often drawing on ornament from architecture and decorative art, from acanthus leaves to baroque scrollwork and classical motifs reworked for everyday wear.
Scrolling forms like these turn up everywhere in traditional hand engraving and decorative metalwork — flowing lines that curl back on themselves, used for centuries to fill a space and lead the eye around it.
I've taken those scrolls out of the objects they were decorating and reworked them into something of my own, hand sawing each line before roller printing, forming, and adding 24ct gold foil through the ancient Korean technique of keum boo. Oxidising the silver afterwards leaves that striking contrast between the deep black and the gold.
These are the earrings you'll have seen on the promotional material for Craft Festival Bovey Tracey 2026, and in Devon Life magazine.
Oxidised sterling silver with 24ct gold foil and solid 9ct gold ear posts
Saw pierced, roller printed, keum boo, formed and soldered by hand
35mm × 15mm × 10 mm
Free UK delivery · Sent signed-for and tracked
This handmade necklace draws inspiration from the intricate ornamental borders often seen in decorative arts, particularly those found in frames and mirrors. As the second piece in my series of acanthus necklaces, this design features elegant rosettes nestled between the acanthus motifs.
Each element in this piece has been completely hand sawn and formed. This necklace is made from oxidised sterling silver, embellished with 24ct gold foil through the ancient Korean technique of Keum Boo.
This necklace won a silver award for ‘Mixed Metals & Patina’ at the 2025 goldsmiths craft & design awards.
Please note that this piece is made to order, so please allow for approximately 3 weeks shipping. It is also made to size, so I will need to discuss your neck measurements to ensure the perfect fit.
All my pieces over the legal weight are fully hallmarked at a UK assay office. If you’d like a lighter piece hallmarked too, just ask and I’ll arrange it.
Free UK delivery · Sent signed-for and tracked
When I came to study ornament in depth, I began to see the acanthus everywhere. They would decorate my walks around the city glorifying the everyday objects of my surroundings. I am fascinated by how the styles of the acanthus have changed throughout the history of the decorative arts, and it is this fascination that led to an intense love for the design.
These hand pierced acanthus earrings have been decorated with 24ct gold foil through the process of Keum Boo. They were then textured, formed, and oxidised, highlighting the exquisite contrast between the black and gold.
Sterling silver & 24ct gold foil
3cm h x 1cm w x 1cm d
All my pieces are made to order, so please allow approximately 3 weeks for shipping.
Free UK delivery · Sent signed-for and tracked
Bespoke
Have something made just for you. A bespoke commission starts with a conversation about the occasion, the materials and the ideas behind it, before Rachael designs and hand makes the piece in her studio.
Popular for anniversaries, milestone birthdays and wedding rings, or for anyone who wants a piece with a story attached to it.
Jewellery Making Workshops in Portsmouth
Want to make your own? Small-group workshops at the Portsmouth studio teach real goldsmithing techniques: sawing, shaping, texturing, finishing. No experience needed. Book a place for yourself, or as a genuinely different gift.
Date: Wednesday 19th August
Time: 10am - 4pm
In this full day workshop, you will work on a jewellery project of your choice, with guidance and support throughout the day. This is an open workshop designed to give you the space to develop your own ideas, or to build confidence in specific techniques.
The workshop is limited to a small group of four, allowing for plenty of one-to-one guidance. It is also a good opportunity to pick up ideas from others in the group, share approaches and build confidence in your work.
Before the session, we will discuss your plans so I can advise on what is achievable and what materials you will need to bring. If you are unsure what to make, I can suggest suitable projects based on your level and the skills you would like to develop.
During the workshop, you will have access to a well equipped studio and will be guided through a range of jewellery making techniques as needed for your project. This may include sawing, filing, soldering, forming and finishing.
You can book a single session and aim to complete a finished piece on the day, or attend multiple workshops to gradually build your skills and work on more involved projects.
This workshop is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to those with some experience. Materials are not included and should be purchased in advance or on the day, following guidance provided beforehand.
Date: Sunday 6th September
Time: 10am - 1pm
Create your own beautiful set of three sterling silver stacking rings in this 3-hour jewellery taster workshop. You’ll explore traditional techniques such as soldering, sawing, filing, and polishing.
During the session, you’ll make three rings in the same size so they stack perfectly together: one from round wire, one from twisted wire, and one from textured square wire.
With clear demonstrations and plenty of one-to-one guidance, you’ll be supported every step of the way. The workshop is designed to be hands-on and relaxed, with lots of opportunities to ask questions and is perfect for complete beginners.
The price includes all materials to make 3 sterling silver stacking rings.
Please get in contact if you have any questions about this workshop, I am more than happy to help! hello@rachaelplassard.com
Date: Saturday 21st November
Time: 10am - 4pm
In this one-day workshop, you’ll discover a variety of traditional jewellery-making techniques and create your own set of three sterling silver stacking bangles.
Throughout the day, you’ll be guided through skills including twisting, forging, soldering, filing, and polishing. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from different wire profiles and experiment with your own design ideas to create a unique set of bangles.
With clear demonstrations and lots of one-to-one guidance, you’ll be supported at every stage. The workshop is hands-on, relaxed, and ideal for complete beginners, with plenty of time to ask questions and enjoy the process of making something special.
The price includes all materials to make 3 sterling silver bangles.
Please get in contact if you have any questions about this workshop, I am more than happy to help! hello@rachaelplassard.com
Date: Saturday 12th December
Time: 10am - 4pm
In this full-day workshop, you’ll design and make a beautiful sterling silver spinner ring. Sometimes called a worry ring, this design features a wide band with one or more smaller bands that spin freely around it.
You’ll be able to choose from a variety of textures and spinning bands to create aunique piece. Throughout the day, you’ll develop skills in accurate filing, sawing, and plenty of soldering practice. You’ll also learn how to flare the rings to the perfect shape and polish them to a brilliant shine.
With clear demonstrations and lots of one-to-one guidance, you’ll be supported at every stage. The workshop is hands-on, relaxed, and ideal for complete beginners, with plenty of time to ask questions and enjoy the process of making something special.
The price includes all materials to make 1 sterling silver spinner ring.
Please get in contact if you have any questions about this workshop, I am more than happy to help! hello@rachaelplassard.com
Wedding Ring Making Workshops
Making your own wedding rings adds a layer of meaning to the whole thing. You spend a day together, learn how it's actually done, and leave with rings you made yourselves.
About Rachael
Rachael Plassard is a jewellery artist creating handmade silver and gold jewellery inspired by historical ornament, the decorative arts and natural forms. Working from her studio at Hotwalls Studios in Old Portsmouth, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces by hand, alongside small-group jewellery workshops for beginners wanting to learn the craft themselves.
Process
Every piece starts as flat metal and ends up here, by hand, using traditional goldsmithing methods:
• Saw piercing
• Etching and surface texture
• Oxidised silver finishing
• Keum boo gold application
• Hand forming and fabrication
The Studio
Rachael works from Hotwalls Studios in Old Portsmouth, a historic creative space. Drop by to see the collection in person, or book a workshop and make something here yourself.
