Scott Millar
One of the most exciting aspects of Elements each year is supporting a new group of emerging designer-makers. These designer-makers come from a range of backgrounds and specialities, but are all in their first five years of business. We are thrilled to share with you some of the inspiration behind their work and insight into their techniques and practice.
Scott Millar creates elegant, playful jewellery with a minimalist approach to both design and creation. His work uses a combination of silver and 18ct yellow gold with colourful gemstones, often mismatched, to bring a smile to the wearer. Scott believes jewellery should be fun, refined, elegant and playful all at the same time. Using only handmade, traditional techniques, Scott’s modern approach to mixing colours and materials leads to striking pieces of jewellery to cherish for years to come. All materials used in his work are from validated recycled sources, and all gemstones are ethically sourced and untreated.
Describe your journey to becoming a maker.
My journey has been a bit of a long one. Originally from Scotland, I studied Jewellery and Metal Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee before moving to London and completing an MA at the Royal College of Art. The year I graduated, in 2008, was the height of the last recession, the jewellery industry had taken a hit and generally there were no jobs. This took me into my other love, teaching and education management - which I still do freelance - in the jewellery industry where I stayed for around ten years.
It’s only in the last couple of years that I have made the move to becoming my own maker. There were a few bench jobs in high end workshops but repairing and making other designers jewellery was never my thing so when COVID hit I decided it was now or never to dedicate all of my time to my own jewellery and business.
How does your process of creating a new piece begin?
My process is very fluid – I absolutely cannot bring myself to sit down and draw or make the same piece twice, it’s something that I have never been interested in. My process starts by shopping for stones! It’s difficult to explain exactly what it is that I look for but I usually look at the colour over stone type first, and then at what interesting inclusions there may be.
The focus on gemstones can sometimes be too much on how ‘perfect’ they are. I much prefer interesting characteristics and colour combinations.
Over the last couple of years, I have built up a stone collection so I sit down and make various compositions of gems. It’s quite a fluid process and can change as I am making as I work around the stones and always want them to be the centre focal point.
What has the past year been like for you? How have you developed your skills and continued to make?
The past year has been odd for me as it has everyone! Whilst the current world is not ideal, it has created lots of new opportunities. My nervousness in showing my work was taken care of as all of the shows went digital. It also meant that I could be in more than one place at a time so really focussed on taking part in as many online shows as possible.
I have pushed myself improving my stone setting skills and knowledge of gemstones which has allowed me to be more creative in my designs. I’m a strong believer in that if you don’t know how to do something, work around it and teach yourself rather than do something different so I’ve been doing lots of technical development in working with mixed metals as well.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Architecture and geometric structures have always fascinated me and I think this subconsciously works its way into my making process. I like abstraction, asymmetry and colour contrast which is quite evident!
What technique do you use most often while making? What interests you about this technique?
All of the techniques that I use come from the traditions of goldsmithing, a lot of the skills picked up by working with classically trained jewellers, sitting next to them, observing and then lots and lots of practice. What I use most is reworking materials into new. I take a sustainable stance with my business and work with only recycled materials and ethically sourced gemstones.
I am able to take all of the offcuts of gold and melt them down to pour into an ingot to make any sheet or wire materials that I need. I also use this to do my own castings if the stone is a particularly odd shape or I want something more rounded or a softer aesthetic. It’s a good way to work as it means I can always keep a stock of materials in and also work to the exact measurements that I want to.
How does material choice influence your work and the pieces you create?
All of the techniques that I use come from the traditions of goldsmithing, a lot of the skills picked up by working with classically trained jewellers, sitting next to them, observing and then lots and lots of practice. What I use most is reworking materials into new. I take a sustainable stance with my business and work with only recycled materials and ethically sourced gemstones.
I am able to take all of the offcuts of gold and melt them down to pour into an ingot to make any sheet or wire materials that I need. I also use this to do my own castings if the stone is a particularly odd shape or I want something more rounded or a softer aesthetic. It’s a good way to work as it means I can always keep a stock of materials in and also work to the exact measurements that I want to.
What is next for you this year?
This year is shaping up to be a busy one. I have just been accepted to the Find a Maker family by CraftFestival and also the Sussex Guild so there will be shows later in the year with them. I will also be taking part in the Handmade Oxford virtual show, Handmade Chelsea in person and online and also MADE Brighton.
I am also building up my stock of pieces so there will be a lot of time spent at the workbench!
What are your career highlights so far?
In a previous job I was shortlisted for the National Association of Jewellers Workshop of the Year, which was a great honour to have the recognition for the work that I do. Taking part in MADE Brighton three years ago was also a highlight for me as it was my first in person selling show and met some great clients there – the best part is always seeing someone fall in love with your work.
What does taking part in Elements mean to you?
I’ve been wanting to join Elements for years! Being Scottish born, it feels special to me to be part of a Scottish event, especially as I live as far south as you can get! I really hope that next year’s show happens in person as my family have never been able to come and see me at a show.