Bucks &amp; Oxon

Got a box full of old fashioned heirloom jewellery or the spoils of past relationships? Don&#8217;t leave them to gather dust, give them a reboot. Enter award-winning jewellery designer <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/wendy-penrose-jewellery-henley-on-thames/">Wendy Penrose</a>, who for the last 20 years has been creating distinctive, special, one-of-a-kind, wearable pieces for the people of Bucks, Oxon and beyond. 



Here she talks Muddy through the design process using two real-life clients – and their jewels – to explain how she created a bespoke wedding ring and repurposed a selection of never worn items into a chic, covetable piece. Dust off your jewellery boxes, ladies, you&#8217;ll want to shake-up your bling after this.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Row-of-rings-deeper.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158902" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Row-of-rings-deeper.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Row-of-rings-deeper-800x400.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Row-of-rings-deeper-400x200.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complete-remodelling">Complete remodelling</h2>



Everything starts with a meeting, whether over the phone/zoom or in person at Wendy&#8217;s studio in Henley-on-Thames. Here she takes the time to get to know you, your jewellery likes and dislikes along with your visions for the piece and budget. 



Take Sara, for example, she had a huge collection of rings and precious pieces of jewellery but no longer wore. She came to Wendy with the idea of using the metal and stones to create a one of a kind ring inspired by the flow of water.



Wendy sketched some ideas based on those initial conversations to figure out the best design route before moving onto colour designs and photographic render – a digital, 3D image to the uninitiated.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158696" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/1-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/1-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/1-1-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wendy hard at work sketching ideas for Sara&#8217;s ring</figcaption></figure>



Once the design has been nailed, Wendy makes a 3D model, particularly important with rings, to ensure it looks right and fits comfortably on the finger. This means any alterations can be made before anything expensive happens and gold gets involved. It is also the stage that Wendy provides a firm quote so there&#8217;s no nasty surprises at the end.



Sara went for a design using a contrasting combination of white and yellow gold which undulate around the band like water, with diamonds, a teal sapphire and two aquamarine stones of different shades. Stunning. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-11.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159460" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-11.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-11-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Design development, 3D image and putting the pieces together</figcaption></figure>



After the final check with the 3D model, Wendy works her magic. For Sara&#8217;s ring she had to make the white and yellow gold sections separately before soldering them together over flame. What follows is a lot of polishing before the stones are individually set and et voilà, the finished ring is ready to be taken home, and for the compliments to flow in.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158698" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sara&#8217;s finished ring</figcaption></figure>



For Wendy this is the best part, when the client gets to try the finished piece on and seeing their face light up. In Sara&#8217;s case she had tears in her eyes upon seeing her &#8220;utterly beautiful&#8221; ring. We know, it sounds like something from The Repair Shop, but after such a collaborative process, from initial design to the finished product, it&#8217;s no surprise. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-starting-from-scratch">Starting from scratch</h2>



Don&#8217;t have any unworn jewels lying around? Why not create a unique piece of jewellery from scratch? Wendy has <a href="https://www.wendypenrosejewellery.co.uk/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several collections</a> which she&#8217;s designed and made herself, all of which are fully adaptable using your preference of gems and types of metal, or she can create a totally original idea for you. 



Wedding rings are particularly good examples and something Wendy is always honoured to be asked to do, working with couples to create pieces they&#8217;ll wear every day.



Laura was already a customer of Wendy&#8217;s for many years before she asked her to design and make her wedding ring &#8211; talk about a testament to her work.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="992" height="452" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-8-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-8-1.jpg 992w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-8-1-800x365.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-8-1-400x182.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Design development</figcaption></figure>



Laura knew she wanted something non-traditional; a combined wedding and engagement ring using a mixture of white and yellow gold. She really liked Wendy&#8217;s <a href="https://www.wendypenrosejewellery.co.uk/fissure-collection">Fissure Collection</a>, which is inspired by the jagged layers of Cornish slate, but preferred a slightly narrower band with a bigger stone than in the ready to wear collection which Wendy was able to easily adapt. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="609" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_IMG_8968.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159406" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_IMG_8968.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_IMG_8968-800x487.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_IMG_8968-400x244.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A selection of gemstones</figcaption></figure>



For the stones, Wendy has a collection of ethically-sourced gemstones to choose from. She showed Laura a selection of teal sapphires – the perfect contrast to the yellow gold fissure – all in different shapes and sizes which Laura was able pick from, choosing exactly the one she wanted.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="575" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-04-16-at-14.48.38.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159407" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-04-16-at-14.48.38.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-04-16-at-14.48.38-800x460.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-04-16-at-14.48.38-400x230.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The 3D model </figcaption></figure>



Then comes the sketching, colour illustrations and photographic rendering again, before the 3D model, final fit checks and onto the real deal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="445" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-9.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159410" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-9.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-9-800x356.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Untitled-design-9-400x178.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The individual pieces of the ring</figcaption></figure>



As before, the white and yellow gold sections were made separately and then soldered together, polished and the stone set, ready to be worn by another very happy customer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/6-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/6-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The finished ring</figcaption></figure>



Generally speaking after the initial talks and a design has been agreed upon, it takes Wendy six-eight weeks to bring it to life so, brides particularly, don&#8217;t forget to factor that in! Whether you&#8217;re after a gift for someone special (or yourself), transforming an inherited gem, you&#8217;re in safe hands with Wendy.



<ul>
<li>Want to see Wendy and talk all things jewels? You can find out more about Wendy&#8217;s bespoke service <a href="https://www.wendypenrosejewellery.co.uk/commissions">here</a>, make an appointment <a href="https://www.wendypenrosejewellery.co.uk/book-a-visit">here</a>, or better yet pop by and see Wendy in person at Venue 20 along the <a href="https://www.henleyartstrail.com/venue20">Henley Arts Trail</a> over the bank holiday weekend Sat 4 – Mon 6 May. </li>
</ul>



Wendy Penrose Jewellery, Rose Cottage, Orchard Close, Shiplake Cross, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 4BU

Transform your jewellery into something you love

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