Nick Hubbard is a world renowned jewellery designer with his collection of figurative and handmade lockets, brooches, rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and spoons bearing words with opening doors and moving parts. We caught up with Nick Hubbard at a recent exhibition of his work and spoke to him about his work, life as a jewellery designer, celebrity following and passion for collecting funny plastic objects!

I have always been interested in art and I worked hard at practising italic handwriting, this led me to attend the Birmingham School of Jewellery in 1972-1976 where I learnt hand engraving. After studying, I set up my own business and began working from a small workshop in Birminghams Jewellery Quarter in 1978. I started out by making tiny moving and opening sculptured models for the jewellery trade. Eventually I continued this love of miniaturisation into my own pieces and produced my first collection of jewellery.

I draw my inspiration from comic art, fine art, literature and pop music. My wife Jean and I also collect small early plastic figures and funny ornaments which we display in cabinets at home. I always get plenty of inspiration from these! I would describe the style of my work as figurative, narrative, whimsical with gentle humour! I would say that I have developed my style to where it is at now by keeping going!!! I strive to promote good design with attention to detail.

It can take several hours, days, weeks, even months to make a piece of jewellery from concept to the finished product. I first draw sketches of ideas and develop them on paper. When I am happy with the design I then transfer it into brass and eventually silver and gold.

I admire the following fine artists: Jean-Honore Fragonard, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Edwardo Paolozzi, Man Ray and Peter Blake. I also admire the work of jeweller Paul Preston.

I am lucky to have a celebrity following of my jewellery. Famous people that collect my work include Roddy Doyle, Sue Townsend, Nicholas Hytner, Frances de la Tour and Hazel Blears.

My top tips for aspiring designers would be to keep on going! Keep making things and strive to make things well. Look and look again at all the wonderful array of visual imagery all around us!

A little about me. My wife and I have two smooth-haired dachshunds called Tess (bear) and (little) Lucy although she is not so little anymore! My hobbies are reading, listening to music and scouring charity shops for C.Ds and books!

My favourite pieces of my collection are: Wee Beastie brooch, Thief of Hearts locket and Magical Hare brooch.

If you have still to discover Nick Hubbards magical world of jewellery, have a browse round our Nick Hubbard jewellery section where you can view and purchase many of his creations.

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