Jewel purpose role for Nicola
From the Glasgow Evening Times feature on the DAZZLE Contempoary Craft Jewellery Exhibition.
Glaswegian Nicola Becci likes to leave a stamp on her jewellery — and it’s usually her handwriting. Her fascination with handwriting and the fact that no two persons can write the same is mapped out on a lot of her work, which is often described as quirky and a wee bit ‘off the wall’. Nicola’s influences also include the Catholic Church, the trappings of Royalty, playing cards and chess, callig-raphy, and food and confectionery, which all have a place in her jewellery collection.
Blue Peter also made an impression on Nicola’s life from a very young age. "I was always making things when I was younger," says Nicola. "Blue Peter made quite an impact on me. I was always looking for washing up bottles and the empty toilet roll holders from which to make things. "Then I went to secondary school and discovered that I could draw. From then on, all I ever wanted to do was to go to art school."
Nicola progressed to Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1992. From there, she decided to make a living doing something she loved. Her only option was to set up a business in jewellery design. Now Nicola makes jewellery from silver, gold and brass, incorporating oxidation methods and etching into her work.
She says: "Making jewellery is an ongoing process. I don’t bring out different collections in the way that a fashion designer would. I add to my ranges all the time and get inspiration from a lot of different things. In 1990 I visited Italy and came home with the idea of incorporating aspects of Catholicism like the Sacred Heart into my work. Then I started to develop a range which had my hand writing on it which makes the work very personal."
Nicola has work in galleries all over the UK and in Ireland. As well as exhibiting at Dazzle in Glasgow, her work can be found at the Roger Billcliffe Gallery in Blythwood Street in the city.
In the Collections of ...
Nicola's work is in the collections of Aberdeen Art Gallery; Mersyside Museums and Art Galleries; Dame Judi Dench, actress; Amanda Burton, actress; Isla Blair, actress; Julian Glover, actor and Carol Smillie, television presenter.