Eleanor Symms is a contemporary jewellery designer and maker based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Known for her intriguing flair and elegant designs. She is a dynamic figure in the ethical jewellery field. Pushing boundaries through her use of scavenged materials, challenging preconceived ideas of beauty and value. Eleanor started her business in 2013, upon graduating with distinction from Edinburgh College of Art. She exhibits and sells jewellery across the UK and internationally.
Reclaiming plastic
A lifelong intrigue with materials has been central to Eleanor’s creative process. Inspiring and informing her ideas. Discarded materials associated with the everyday, such as plastics, particularly interest her.
Eleanor uses reclaimed plastics collected from her local environments. Materials salvaged from the beach, industrial waste, and the street combine with recycled silver to create her distinctive jewellery. Both traditionally precious and non-precious materials play against one another, challenging our preconceptions of value and beauty. To Eleanor it is important the viewer understands and values this. As it is something which makes an Eleanor Symms piece of jewellery so impactful and one of a kind.
“I aim to make jewellery which is beautiful and intriguing, rather than purely decorative, questioning the nature of ‘preciousness’ and disposability.”
Eleanor Symms
The transformative possibilities of plastic can be seen in her work. From exquisite brooches to necklaces with flair. Plastic has become synonymous with environmental degradation, through its over saturation in our natural world. Becoming more tangible through its presence and impact in everyday life. This can be seen in the increased awareness of micro plastics. There is no denying plastic is in abundance. Eleanor seeks to reclaim and transform how we engage with plastic. Embracing its ‘ersatz nature’ in part of her design process. Mimicking everyday objects through that which is reclaimed and found.
Dunes Necklace, 2023
Narratives of Previous Lives
Eleanor is particularly interested in the histories scavenged materials hold. Their shapes, colours and textures often hinting at previous lives and functions. Now often defunct and abandoned. Eleanor likes to revisit larger pieces of reclaimed materials. Making collections inspired by their possibilities and previous lives. She enjoys sharing stories of found materials with the viewer, from its location to what its previous life entailed. However she never forces a narrative, scavenging with an open mind she lets the materials lead the design process. For Eleanor “this serendipitous process is exciting and experimental, resulting mostly in unique pieces and a practice which is constantly evolving.”
Centring Sustainability
Committed to creating jewellery that is both ethical and sustainable. Eleanor is passionate about ensuring all aspects of her practice are sustainable. Questioning notions of waste in her design process, through reusing and recycling. This includes a phasing out of materials which negatively impact the environment. From inception to display, sustainability of her craft is key. Materials that have no ethical provenance have no place in her practice.
Awards and Exhibitions
Eleanor has MA hons, from the University of Edinburgh. As well as recently graduating from Edinburgh College of Art with a Distinction in Art and Design. She is also a Professional Member of Visual Arts Scotland and Applied Arts Scotland, a member of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery and the Crafts Council Directory and Craft Scotland Directory of Makers. Making her an important and dynamic figure in the UK’s jewellery scene.
Eleanor has been the recipient of a plethora of awards. Most recently Creative Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council 2022 Visual Artist and Craft Maker’s Award. Eleanor has shown in selected exhibitions across the UK, Europe and Asia.
For further information on Eleanor Symms and her work please see the links below
Instagram @eleanorsymms
