Previous selected works – Jewellery

Over the past three decades, my creative journey has been characterised by an exploration of materiality leading to a commitment to environmental awareness, amidst personal health challenges.

Commencing with jewellery-making, I discovered the potential of nylon during my degree. My designs were presented at Chelsea Crafts Fair (‘92-’97) leading to international exhibitions and museum acquisitions.

Achievements include contributions to showcases, the Crafts Council’s, What is Jewellery? (1995), Synthetics exhibition at the San Francisco International Gift Fair (1997), earning Best New Product Award at Crafts from Britain (1996) and Most Innovative New Product Award at the British Craft Trade Fair (1997).

Karen Whiterod, April 2024

Nylon arrowhead neckpiece

Teal and black dyed neckpiece. Nylon segments are joined together with silver units. Each segment with open to separate from the next. Neckpiece length can be adjusted.

Nylon circle necklet and earrings

Delicately coloured nylon units are linked together in a circle form with two pairs of matching earrings. Each segment has been dyed by hand to produce the graduated colour in jade and amber.

Love Poetry nylon scroll bracelet

A collage of hand-written C19th love poetry adorn this scroll-form nylon bracelet. A screen-printed resist-dying process has been used to dye the text into the nylon.

Collection of newsprint nylon earrings and brooch

Collection of earrings and brooch made with nylon and silver, adorned with dyed newsprint text.

Newsprint nylon neckpiece

Dyed newsprint neckpiece, multiple hand-dyed nylon sections enable stretch.

"If Hermes Wore Jewellery..." neckpiece-mobile

This neckpiece can be displayed as a mobile when it isn’t worn. Monoprinted dyed decoration on nylon feathers with fine stainless steel wire.

Created by Karen Whiterod