HEATHER BLAKE
Marine Alchemy Collection
A collection features oversized bracelets made with materials and techniques of shoemaking, inspired by the form of the signet ring.
“Marine Alchemy” transforms food waste into jewelry. Repurposed fish skin is processed using ancient methods combined with artist’s own tanning process, using food waste as the tanning agent, creating a biodegradable, sustainable material. The texture and markings of this aquatic skin offer an alternative to “exotic” leathers such as python.
In this collection small rings become large bracelets, hard metal is replaced with soft leather, sharp facets of cut gemstones are interpreted in richly textured salmon skin, while finely cut strips of sea bream and sea bass leather are woven into iridescent fabrics.
Material
Wood, vegetable tanned leather, napa leather, oil tanned salmon leather, sea bream and sea bass processed with food waste
Technique
CAD, 3D printing and shoemaking techniques such as lasting (the final shape of the shoe)
HEATHER BLAKE, United Kingdom
Heather Blake is a jewelry designer who combines materials and techniques of shoemaking with goldsmithing and gemstone setting. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the GC&DC Award for Gemstone Setting 2025. She initially studied and taught fine art, but later studied footwear design at the London College of Fashion (LCF) and then at the Royal College of Art, where she obtained a Masters. She worked in Italy as a footwear developer for famous names in the fashion world such as Alberta Ferretti, Salvatore Ferragamo, Missoni and Charlotte Olympia. She has taught design at LCF, Northampton University and Polimoda in Italy. Fascinated by metal accessories, she studied at the British Academy of Jewellery and in 2023 obtained a further Masters in jewellery design at Central Saint Martins.
Website
https://www.heather-blake.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/heatherblakeart/?hl=en-gb
