MEET OUR MAKERS

RAUNI HIGSON MBE

Silversmith / Jeweller - Gof Arian / Gemydd

My interest lies in creating pieces in silver, both sculptural and functional; striking enough to stand alone, but intended to be used and enjoyed on a daily basis. I am inspired by the natural world, particularly the dramatic mountains and coastline of Snowdonia, where I live and work. I aim to capture some of the beauty of nature, without directly imitating it. I am currently experimenting with ‘Fold-forming’; folding sheet metal, forging it, then opening out the piece to reveal the 3-dimensional form. I like to leave evidence of the process of making in the finished pieces, so that people can see they are formed by hammers and hands.
I trained for 3 years in Finland at Lahti Design Institute, then graduated (BA hons) from the School of Jewellery, Birmingham in 1996. I set up my studio in North Wales, in 1997.

Rauni was awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours, in recognition of her unparalleled craftsmanship and tireless work in ensuring her skills are passed on to future generations.

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Fy mhrif ddiddordeb yw creu darnau mewn arian sydd yn gerfluniol ac yn swyddogaethol; digon trawiadol i ddarn fod ar ei ben ei hun, ond maent wedi cael ei greu yn bennaf i’w defnyddio a’i mwynhau o ddydd i ddydd. Rwy’n cael fy ysbrydoli gan y byd naturiol, yn enwedig mynyddoedd ac arfordir dramatig Eryri, lle rwy’n byw ac yn gweithio. Fy nod yw cipio rhai o rinweddau a golygfeydd natur, heb ei ddynwared yn uniongyrchol. Ar hyn o bryd rwy’n arbrofi â Fold forming: sef plygu dalenni o fetel, eu gofannu, yna eu hagor allan i greu darn tri dimensiwn. Rwy’n hoff o adael tystiolaeth o’r broses yn fy narnau gorffenedig, fel y gall pobl wedi eu bod wedi cael eu ffurfio gan forthwyl a dwylo.
Hyfforddais am 3 mlynedd yn y Ffindir yn Sefydliad Dylunio Lahti, yna graddiais â BA anrhydedd o’r Ysgol Gemwaith ym Mirmingham ym 1996. Sefydlais fy stiwdio yng Ngogledd Cymru, ym 1997.