***********************************
LOUISE GOODCHILD
***********************************
I am in awe of Louise Goodchild's stunning wirework!
It's supremely feminine, delicately painterly and
immensely collectable!
Her pendants are like minaturepaintings, each fine
wire line, telling a story ...
Louise uses handmade lampwork, polymer clay
and semi-precious beads in her hand-forged
wirework pieces. She is well known for her
Goddess Pendants, which she makes to order for
other earthly goddesses to wear!
I was so lucky to catch up with her recently to learn
a little more about her as an artist. Read on, to find
out more ...
WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND?
I was born and brought up here in Buckinghamshire,
where I still live with my husband.
Above: OCEAN WAVE Pendant by Louise Goodchild
DID YOU ALWAYS ASPIRE TO BE A JEWELLERY
DESIGNER?
I fell into jewellery quite by accident when I was doing
some work for a haberdashery company a few years
back and found a box of beads on a shelf ... I've not had
any formal training - I'm self-taught from books, the odd
tutorial and lots of experimentation.
Above: THE FOUNTAIN by Louise Goodchild
WHERE IS YOUR STUDIO?
My 'studio' is two desks in our spare bedroom. I'm sometimes
envious of people who have proper studios with lovely
views, but then I remember that I'm lucky to have the use
of a spare bedroom - many people have to manage with a
corner of the dining table!
Above: RED HAIRED GODDESS Pendant by Louise Goodchild
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS?
There's no limit to the things that might spark an
idea, but I'm mostly inspired by nature - trees,
plants, the sea, etc... As well as myths, legends
and fairytales.
Above: THE GRAIL by Louise Goodchild
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DESIGN AND WHY?
My favourite designs are probably my wirework pendants.
I do make all kinds of jewellery, but I'm always drawn
back to the idea of a tiny wirework picture in a frame.
My wire goddess pendants seem to have struck a chord
with other people, so I also make quite a few of those.
Above: THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER by Louise Goodchild
WHERE DO YOU SELL YOUR WORK? AND HOW DO
YOU PROMOTE YOURSELF?
I have an ETSY SHOPand a WEBSITEand I also
share my pictures (and general ramblings) through my
FACEBOOK page.
Above: Louise Goodchild's TREE of LIFE RINGS
WHAT PIECES ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING
ON?
In between custom orders and making findings for other
jewellery designers, I'm currently working on a wall
hanging depicting the four seasons and a new
collection of pendants based on a series of books
I've loved since I was a child.
Above: THE FOUR SEASONS Wall Hanging by Louise Goodchild
DO YOU TEACH, DEMONSTRATE OR WRITE TUTORIALS?
I don't teach, but I recently wrote my first TUTORIAL, which can be
found on my website and in my Etsy Shop and I plan to write
more, as soon as I have the time!
Above: PORTHOLE Pendant by Louise Goodchild
HAVE YOU ANY ADVICE TO PASS ON TO OTHERS?
My advice to others would be to take your time learning your
craft and never assume you can't do something - sometimes
you might surprise yourself!
Above: Lampwork beads by Trudi Doherty, Earring Design by
Louise Goodchild
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE ASPIRATIONS
ANDPLANS?
Like most creative people, I would like to be able
to do what I love full time. Unfortunately, that's
still something of a distant dream, so I shall keep
making and sharing and maybe ... one day,
I'll get there!
Above: SUNSET TREE by Louise Goodchild
*************************************
I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT
THAT LOUISE WILL FULFILL HER
DREAMS AS A WIRE ARTIST!
andI can hear the applause, praise
and cheers fromother Guild members
in total agreement!!