Canberra Darricarrere Eir Glitter and Be Gay Menhir Ottogano Outline Sputnik Veruna
Hand-crafted Contemporary Art Jewellery

Learn more about David - his craft, his background and where he works

DAVID J LILLY BA(Hons) MA FRSA

My journey as an artist has taken me through many mediums over many decades. Jewellery started with doodles in journals, and fold-forming copper. So why am I so passionate about designing and making jewellery?  I had shied away from jewellery making until I came across fold-forming and how that connected with my love of materiality.

In 2019 was when I really started my journey into becoming a jeweller and created three different collections. Menhir was the first and it was inspired by what came to me on a ‘Medicine Walk’. That was followed by Chevron which was inspired by work by the sculptor Barbara Hepworth. Finally, that year I created Outline which is all about the shape of the gems in each piece of jewellery - it’s been onwards from there with an additional seven so far.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT DAVID

·      My great-uncle Josh gave me a small pot of rough diamonds, rubies and sapphires. I’ve never touched those gems, though I do still get them and wonder whether I should.

·      I have suffered from anomalous trichromacy colour blindness since birth.

·      My jewellery has been winning awards and selected for international exhibitions since the 2021 with the SkyArts/Lexus ‘In Search of Takumi’ award for metalwork.

. I was a semi-finalist on series 2 of the BBC TV show All That Glitters.

·      I have been designing, making and restoring stained glass since 2000.

·      I am the UK’s only Dalle de Verre stained glass specialist.

. I may be inspired by industrial aesthetics, but I love the wilds of western Canada and am looking to move there with my husband.

Why I design and make Contemporary Art Jewellery inspired by the 20th century’s Mid-Century Modern and Brutalist aesthetics

David J Lilly jewellery is made from precious metals, rough and cut gems and other interesting and colourful materials that together make jewellery that will start a conversation. As the creator of David J Lilly jewellery, I believe that:

  1. Jewellery should make an exciting statement

  2. Jewellery should start conversations

  3. Jewellery does not have to be made entirely from precious materials to be worth owning

  4. I should always make jewellery that excites the wearer each time they put it on

Why I design and make Stained Glass

  1. I love colourfull light

  2. I was inspired by a visit to Coventry Cathedral, UK

  3. I love teh opportunity to change what can happen when light and colour combine