MEET THE MAKER

Jess Wheeler @jesswheeler.design

What is your background?

I worked as an illustrator, set designer and florist for many years and changed direction when moving to the countryside a few years ago. I now run a design studio from a barn on the farm where I live in North Wales. We make candle sconces, lighting and sculpture. Brass and bronze are the main materials at the moment, but we’re always experimenting. Plaster might be next.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Trees, leaves, plants, things growing wild and in my garden. For example, my recent collection of bronze wall lights is directly cast from cabbage, rhubarb and fig leaves from my vegetable garden. I had to check on the chosen leaves every day and pick them when they were at the optimum size. I took leaves from my favourite ancient oak in the field behind my workshop and made them in brass for my oak leaf collection.

Even though we are very remote, we’re really fortunate to have a lot of inspiring people living nearby. I also try to travel as much as possible to go to visit my retailers, and see exhibitions.

Can you recommend any other creatives who we should know about?

William Waterworth is a very special photographer. He’s based near me in Wales and captures the hauntingly magical hills where we live in a beautiful way. His photos are like paintings.

If you weren’t a metalworker, what would be Plan B?

My great passion is materiality and working out how things are made. Once I’ve fully scratched the metal itch, I will no doubt move on to wood, glass, ceramics… the list is never ending. Plan B is to keep learning, experimenting and making!