My grandmother made her own hats, perfect pastry, and vestments for the clergy. Sitting at a large table in her spectacular creations, she sewed minuscule stitches on rich garments with a group of doughty ladies of the parish. As her young companion, I learned the meaning of effect and detail at that table, and it was only when I grew up that I appreciated the importance of how much I had absorbed from those women. Years later, I lived by the sea, without electricity, on a small island off the West Coast of Scotland. Elemental extremes and resourcefulness were an integral part of my life. I changed my work practises to embrace the lack of power, rather than be frustrated by it, and since then regularly set myself challenges to define how I approach my work. I spend my days totally engrossed in fine detail. I have been knitting, crocheting and weaving precious metals for years and a distinctive use of pure silver wire and pearls ensures my average working focal length is kept at 6”. It is not surprising then that wide horizons are an essential balance to my life. In contrast to the pearl ranges, which lend themselves perfectly for weddings, I make intricate, constructed jewellery for everyday wear, in silver and coloured golds, work which includes deceptively simple ideas that illustrate the jeweller’s art.
	NATALIE VARDEY ~ CV and selected exhibitions: 1973/77 ~ Sir John Cass School of Art, London (Metropolitan University): Diploma Design and Craftsmanship in Jewellery, incl. C & G Jewellery & Diamond Mounting. 1977 ~ Brighton: In-house jeweller in antiques shop in The Lanes. 1978 ~ London: E Wolfe & Co., making jewellery & object d'art for Asprey & Gerrard. 1979 ~ Self-employment on the Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides. Set up Turning-the-Tide workshop, working to commission, supplying local and mainland shops. 1990 ~ Moved to Galloway, SW Scotland, and set up current workshop. 1995/2000 (part time) ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: Exhibitions Co-ordinator. Awards and Selected Commissions ~ 1975 ~ Australian South Sea Pearl Award 1979/83 ~ Three 18ct yellow & white gold dandelion clocks for the late sculptor Ann Garland's "Time Running Out" pieces. 1985 ~ Invited by the International Gold Company to submit designs for men and women. 1992 ~ Invited to send work to Vogue magazine, Spain. Work featured in Scottish National Portrait Gallery Shop & Christmas Catalogue. 1993 ~ International commissions: Spain, USA and Canada. 1994 ~ The Flora MacDonald Collection for the ClanDonald Centre, Skye. 1995 ~ Edinburgh Fine Arts Society Brooch of Office. 1996 ~ Work featured at Glasgow Museum of Modern Art (GOMA) Studio Shop. 2002 ~ Necklace for art4life at Christie's, London (featuring donated artworks for Cancer Research UK) 2002 ~ Pearl necklace, Edinburgh Festival Perrier Awards Ceremony, for its producer, theatre impressario Nica Burns. 2002-07 incl ~ Necklaces for Art for Life (donated art for Cancer Research UK) at Christie’s, London 2007 Art and Craft Marketing Award, Dumfries and Galloway Council Private customers include comedian & writer Natalie Haynes. Public Commissions ~ 2000 Dumfries and Galloway Council: 38 revolving railing finials (steel/copper/bronze) along the length of the Whitesands by the River Nith, Dumfries. Collections ~ Broughton Gallery, Biggar; Aberdeen Art Gallery; Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries (in Touring Craft Boxes); Private collections all over the world. Publications ~ May 2006 Independent on Sunday Media ~ Series of radio interviews for Spring Fling ( incl. Radio Scotland, & WestSound) Memberships, Associations and Committees ~ Founder member Scottish Designer Jewellers ( www.scottishdesignerjewellers.co.uk ) Applied Arts Scotland (past committee member). Craftsnews Scotland. Spring Fling Selection Committee member 2004 -2006 incl Dumfries and Galloway Spring Fling Open Workshops Steering Group 2002-2007incl Chair of newly elected Spring Fling Management Group 2008 Residencies ~ 2004 March/June ~ Artist in Residence, Kirkcudbright Academy. Installation in Memorial Garden exploring kinetics and light. 2005 January/April ~ Jeweller in Residence, Lockerbie Academy, also covering Moffat, Annan and Langholm Academies. SAC sponsored post, with D&G CREATE team. Talks/Conferences ~ 2002 Oct Galloway Arts Society: guest speaker 2005 April SWRI New Galloway: guest speaker 2005 Oct Shetland Arts Trust/Applied Arts Scotland Exchange Event in Scalloway, Shetland and Sellafirth, Shetland: Guest speaker. 2006 April AAS Exchange Event, Sligachan Hotel, Skye: Guest speaker Teaching ~ 1997/98 ~ Kids' Club Workshops, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries. 2003 ~ Series of brooch making workshops in schools ( ages 5 - 18 years ) across Dumfries & Galloway tying in with the Scottish Arts Council Travelling Gallery's exhibition of brooches by Jack Cunningham. 2004 March ~ "Identity Tags" CPD (Continuing Professional Development) day long workshops for 16 teachers. 2004 March CPD “Identity Tags” day workshops for16 teachers Nov 3 Primary Schools workshops tying in with “Burns and Rivers” song writing project involving 11 schools in the region. Concerts and exhibition January & May 2005. 2007 June Jewellery workshop, Dalbeattie High School for 21 pupils ( incl 14 German exchange). 2008 Jan/Feb Skills and Techniques beginners course, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries See homepage for 2007 events and exhibitions ~ Selected Exhibitions ~ 2007.... Nov- Jan ~ Gracefield Arts Centre Shop, Dumfries Featured Artist Designs, Castle Douglas, Park Gallery, Falkirk, Millennium Galleries, Sheffield Platform Gallery, Clitheroe, Walford Mills Crafts, Wimbourne. Dorset Dec Collins Gallery, Glasgow, Christmas market weekend June – Sept ~ Inaugural exhibition, Inchmore Gallery by Inverness, June Expressions in Jewellery, Stranraer Museum, Stranraer. May 26-26 ~ Spring Fling Open Workshops Weekend in Dumfries & Galloway, sharing willow worker Trevor Leat’s workshop in Auchencairn. Mar – May ~ Iona Gallery, Woodstock: Weddings Mar – April ~ Spring Fling Taster exhibition, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries 2006.... Nov – Jan07 ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: Xmas jewellery & Silver Nov - Dec ~ Platform Gallery, Clitheroe: Cornucopia Nov – Dec ~ Bonhoga Gallery. Shetland: Arabesque Nov - Dec ~ Brewery Arts, Cirencester Nov onwards ~ Open Eye, Edinburgh Oct - Dec ~ Mike Gell Gallery, Hereford: Brooching the Subject 27July–7 Sept ~ Broughton Gallery, Biggar: Summer exhibition. July onwards ~ Designyard, Dublin : Wedding jewellery. Aug onwards ~ Iona House Gallery, Oxford. May 27-29 ~ Spring Fling Open Workshops Weekend in Dumfries & Galloway, with willow worker Trevor Leat, in his workshop in Auchencairn. Mar - Apr ~ Spring Fling Taster exhibition, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries 2005.... Nov - Jan 06 ~ “Gifted” in Craft Gallery, Royal Museum, Edinburgh. Nov - Dec ~ (Solo)Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh: solo show. Nov - Dec ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas May 29 - Aug ~ Broughton Gallery’s final Summer Exhibition – featuring jewellers who have exhibited over the years. May 28 - 31 ~ Spring Fling: Open Workshops Weekend in Dumfries & Galloway, with willow worker Trevor Leat, in his workshop in Auchencairn. March ~ Spring Fling taster exhibition, Gracefield Arts Centre. 2004.... November ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: 'Christmas Jewellery' November ~ Brewery Arts, Cirencester. November ~ Park Gallery, Falkirk. November ~ Margin Gallery, Hamilton. July ~ Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland. July ~ Gallery Schomberg, Colchester: 'Summer Exhibition' June ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: 'Weddings' May ~ Spring Fling Weekend ( 29 - 31 ) Open Workshops throughout Dumfries and Galloway with Trevor Leat (Willow Works). April ~ Romney Marsh Craft Gallery, Lydd: 'Organic Forms' March/June ~ Royal Birmingham Society of Artists: 'Confetti' 2003.... November ~ Mike Gell, Hereford: 'Brooching the Subject' November ~ Royal Birmingham Society of Artists: 'Imagination' (part of Brilliantly Birmingham Season) November ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas November ~ Dick Institute, Kilmarnock: Majestic November ~ Collins Gallery, Glasgow. August ~ Broughton Gallery, Biggar. August ~ We Three Kings, Witney, Oxon: 'Roots and Shoots'. June ~ (solo) Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh. May ~ Schlosshof, Gifhorn, Germany: 'Craft and Culture in Europe'. April ~ Green Gallery, Munich, Germany: 'Scottish Artists' March/June ~ The Bessemer, Sheffield: 'Functional, Practical, Beautiful'. February ~ Green Gallery, Aberfoyle January ~ The Lighthouse, Glasgow: 'Scottish Select'. 2002.... November ~ Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh. November ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: 'Christmas Jewellery' November ~ Collins Gallery, Glasgow: 'Christmas Show' November ~ Dick Institute, Kilmarnock October ~ Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland September ~ Royal Birmingham Society of Artists: 'Autumn Leaves' May ~ Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington: 'Festival Exhibition' January ~ Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh: '21st Anniversary Exhibition - Invited Jewellery Show' 2001.... November ~ Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries: "Illumination" November ~ Dick Institute, Kilmarnock: "Red" (Affordable Art) November ~ Collins Gallery, Glasgow November ~ Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland. November ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas. November ~ Dial Gallery, Warkworth, Northumberland. October ~ Broughton Gallery, Biggar: "Sea themes". October ~ Focus Gallery, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries: "Select". June ~ (Solo) Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh. 2000.... November ~ Designs, Castle Douglas November ~ Just Art, Fochabers November ~ Collins Gallery, Glasgow November ~ Gracefield, Dumfries. October ~ "Plenty" Millennium Dome, Ae Forest, Dumfries October ~ Craft Gallery Just Art, Fochabers. July ~ Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: "Made in Dumfries and Galloway" May ~ Beirut International Art Fair, Damascus and Dubai. 2000/01 ~ Dumfries and Galloway Museums: "Treasures", travelling exhibition. 1999.... Open Eye Gallery Edinburgh. Cleos, Dublin, with Gracefield. Gracefield: "Art and Craft Now". Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: Summer Exhibition, & Christmas. 1998.... Gibbs Gallery, Canterbury: "Favourites". Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas: "Made in Dumfries and Galloway", & Christmas. Gracefield, Dumfries: "Little Treasures" The British Council, Edinburgh: "Centre of Attention" Pyramid Gallery, York. 1997.... The Brewery Arts, Cirencester. Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland: "Silver Darlings" (touring). Gracefield: "Within our Grasp". Association for Applied Arts: "Open Doors". Open Eye, Edinburgh. Crawford Arts, St Andrews: "Gifted". British Council, Edinburgh: "Centre of Attention". Also.... 1996 Aberdeen Art Gallery (AAA) "Value Added". 1995 &1993 (solo) Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh. 1994 & 1992 Broughton Gallery, Biggar.