Granny Bargs Makes

Hand made jewellery from broken china pieces I am a self taught maker. I make jewellery in my own home with just a few tools.

Granny Bargs’ Broken China

Im Granny Bargs, a 72-year-old retired retired school teacher, living in Hertfordshire. About six months ago, I discovered a new passion for crafting broken china jewellery. Despite having no prior experience in jewellery making, I taught myself the art. My tools are simple, consisting of tile nippers, a hammer, a glass grinder, and a soldering iron. I work on a small table in my front room, and when using the glass grinder in the kitchen, I make sure to use a fold-out screen to prevent any splashes.

To create my unique pieces, I source china from charity shops or receive donations from generous individuals who have broken plates, saucers, or cups. Luckily, I have a cousin who runs a tea shop and often has mismatched vintage china that I can repurpose. Each piece I make is distinct, as its nearly impossible to find two items that are completely symmetrical. Consequently, even in a pair of earrings, each piece may have slight variations. I focus on crafting earrings and necklaces using a single piece of china. For example, a cup might only yield two pairs of earrings and a necklace, while a dinner plate could produce up to six or seven pairs of earrings and five or six necklaces. This means that when you purchase jewellery from me, you can be certain it is truly one-of-a-kind.

As a self-taught artisan, I dont claim to be an expert. My jewellery may not have many right angles, and my soldering skills are a work in progress. However, I guarantee that you will own a piece of jewellery that no one else in the world has. The earrings and necklaces I create come in various shapes and sizes. I use lead-free solder and 925 silver wires for the earrings. While I strive for precise matching, the handmade nature of my creations ensures slight differences between each piece.

I sincerely hope you enjoy wearing my jewellery and I genuinely appreciate your support. If you are delighted with your purchase, I would be thrilled if you could share your experience with your friends.