Protagonist of this week’s Creative Spotlight is London-based emerging artist and jeweller Elza White. Her work wanders into the realm of wearable sculpture, which she makes by hand using ancient techniques. Driven by the desire to make jewellery more personal and genderless, she creates one off and custom works for people around the world - unique pieces designed to be kept and cherished forever.

Here Elza shares the story of how she got into jewellery design, revealing what hides behind her creations and inspires her unique aesthetic.

Follow Elza on Instagram: @el.zawhite

Can you tell us about your background, why did you decide to start making jewellery and how did you learn?

I started making jewellery this year and I’m self taught. I prefer to learn through trial and error, some of my most favourite pieces have been created by accident! The jewellery I create is so personal and a form of self expression, so I didn’t want to be taught the right or wrong way to do things.

What inspires you to create your pieces?

I’m inspired by sound, texture and light especially in nature. For example morning light, the feeling of being underwater or the sound of an echo. I’m also disgustingly nostalgic and sentimental! I come from generations of fisherman from the north east coast of Scotland who would use glass balls to keep their nets afloat, which is a theme I’ve kept throughout my work. I like the irony that adding heavy silver balls to my pieces actually represents keeping you afloat.

How would you define the aesthetics and ethos of your work?

Personal and maybe slightly messy. The engraving I do is scribbled in my handwriting with a heated needle. I prefer to make custom pieces and work with customers directly to create something special and unique for them! It’s important that everything I make is gender neutral. I mainly work with recycled 925 sterling silver and lab grown, synthetic gemstones as they are a more sustainable option.

Where and how do you make your pieces?

Currently all my pieces are handmade by myself in a makeshift studio set up in my attic. For jewellery I use the ancient method of lost wax casting, which is a process where molten metal is poured into a mold made from wax. I then finish and polish the pieces by hand.

What are you currently working on and what do you have planned for the future?

I am currently working on a sculpture made from latex and a gold ring! In the future I would like to make larger pieces or experiment with different types of metal, and expand my range of work by making many different types of wearable objects.

Would you collaborate with anyone and if so, who would it be?

The American musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland! I would love to collaborate with him by creating sculptures and sounds that reflect each other.