Hello - a big, warm welcome to Denalis!
I'm Denise and have been making jewellery and greetings cards since 2014 in my tiny box room workshop in Ealing, London.
How it all began
In the summer of 2014 I bought a jewellery making kit to alter a bracelet which was too big for me to wear comfortably. The kit contained everything I needed to make some jewellery of my own, so I made a few pairs of silver plated earrings and sold them to friends. I made more, along with some necklaces, booked my first two events - at a local school fair and a local pub - and Denalis was born. Once I'd sold these I could afford to start working with sterling silver.
I was really keen to design and handcraft my own unique range of silver jewellery. I looked into silversmithing classes near to me, discovered The London Jewellery School and haven't looked back since!
Denalis Jewellery
Denalis helps lovers of fine silver to own or gift a beautiful, individually handcrafted piece of jewellery.
I love silver and have been working with precious metal clay since completing courses at The London Jewellery School in Hatton Garden a few years ago.
Silver precious clay is a very versatile, non toxic, zero waste material. It's made from extremely fine particles of silver, a by-product of manufacturing processes, mixed with an organic plant-based binder and water.
Each piece I make goes through the same process - rolling, adding texture, shaping, drying, sanding, firing and finally polishing. During firing the binder burns away and the metal particles come together - this process is called sintering - leaving a beautiful and unique piece of hallmark quality solid silver.
Here's a short video showing how I make a pair of my teardrop earrings:
Working with silver clay has endless design possibilities and much of my inspiration comes from my garden, the wider environment and works of art. I use a mixture of proprietary texture sheets and metal stamps as well as leaves, lace, fabrics and textured wall coverings to create the backgrounds to my designs.
All pieces are individually handcrafted so no two items are identical, although styles will be similar. I welcome commissions.
I am registered with the Goldsmith's Company Assay Office in London and have my own Maker's Mark. Any pieces weighing over 7.78g will be hallmarked. The chains and ear wires are sterling silver and stamped 925 by the manufacturer.
I am proud to be member of the National Association of Jewellers. Every NAJ member is required to abide by the NAJ's Code of Conduct based on honesty, integrity and professionalism. The grant of arms gives customers peace of mind that they are dealing with a jewellery business they can trust.
I am also a member of The Guild of Jewellery Designers.
Ethical Marketing
As a consumer I dislike pushy sales people and techniques, websites with loads of pop ups, and constant sales emails, many of which I'm not even sure that I signed up for - in short, everything that can be annoying about marketing.
As a small business owner I make sure everyone who visits me, whether in person or online, is welcomed in a relaxed, friendly and positive manner.
I'll provide you with full and honest information about me, what I do and my products and give the best customer service I can, answering queries and dispatching orders quickly and with care.
I recently came across The Ethical Move. They are setting out to empower people and businesses to break the cycle of manipulation and scare tactics within marketing practices. They are committed to transparent, honest and responsible marketing and I have pledged to join them.
Read more about the pledge.
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