Immie Spilsbury (b. 1998) is a London-based jewellery designer and maker specialising in wax-carved precious metal jewellery. Her interest began in her early teenage years when she studied hallmarks to buy vintage silver and re-sell it at Portobello Market. This developed into a love of jewellery and the desire to design and make her own.
"I had specific ideas that I couldn’t find anywhere. I decided early on that I’d become a jeweller, I didn’t consider anything else"
Immie graduated from Central Saint Martins BA Jewellery Design in 2021 and has been making ever since. Most of her jewellery is carved in wax and then cast into metal using the ancient ‘lost wax casting’ process. Her inspiration can come from anywhere - a song lyric, a film quote, even a dream. Her aesthetic process is usually internal, but she’s also drawn to antique silhouettes to which she adds a modern twist. As well as for decorative purposes, she sometimes uses jewellery as a creative tool for social commentary, an unexpected way to spark engagement. For Immie, keeping jewellery making traditional is important, she embraces the philosophy of slow jewellery.
"I always work with my hands as it’s central to who I am as a jeweller. CAD is dominating the industry with fast and uniform results, but I think you can feel a different energy from a handmade piece - you can connect with it knowing it’s one of a kind. I love the imperfections and for me, they are the soul of the piece"
The way Immie works is less about planning and more about discovery. Wax-carving is her perfect medium to explore, as it can be melted over and over.