A Brief History of Cru

Books 'n' Gems

Cruel Lady started life as a bookseller with Dillons in Bloomsbury, London, and then progressed to that great Scottish institution, James Thin in Edinburgh. Here she found an outlet for her creativity; meeting the wildly eccentric inhabitants (and staff!) in the 'Front Shop', writing and image-editing as Events Organizer, and subsequently promoting the company worldwide as Web Editor.

Once Thins, sadly, were bought out, she went freelance as a Web Designer, but kept a toe in the book world by selling Scottish and Collectable books on eBay as a sideline. It was here she encountered her inspiration, Leandra Holder, whose work revived her love-affair with costume jewellery. 'Fine' jewellery she found boring, (unless you could pay thousands of pounds for a one-off piece from Cartier!), and the marvellous mixing pot of gemstones, vintage beads, old and new charms (and yes, silver and gold!) which designers such as Justine Heaton, and Leandra herself, were using, fired Cru's imagination.

"Traditional charm bracelets themselves fascinate me - the idea that your entire history can be carried around with you on your wrist - birth, birthdays, coming-of-age, graduation, old boyfriends ... An endlessly absorbing piece of jewellery, that you can imagine your grandchildren asking 'What's the story behind this one?'

To extend this tradition into including one's own style and beliefs too - favourite colours, images, symbols - is a concept, as an artisan jeweller, I find irresistible. That a piece of jewellery can be not just an expression of personality, or affection and attachment, but of personal history."
© Cruel Lady

eBay and the Art Jewellers

After a tentative start in 2004 with some rather wobbly 'remade' bracelets, Cru found people asking for more, opened an eBay Shop, and knuckled down to honing her skills and improving the quality of her work.

She found her pieces tending to go to folk who were after something different from the run-of-the-mill High Street and 'designer' stuff; her Dietrich bracelet went to a Spanish artist, her Japanese Cherry Blossom Viewing piece to a Vassar girl, and (possibly her proudest moment to date) her Callas bracelet to an Italian musician for his lady love!

She was thus delighted to receive the accolade of an invitation to join the Designers' eGuild in 2006, and stand alongside her 'Muses'!

What Next?

She now has Red Scorpion Design as a showcase for her work, plus pre-made jewellery she deems 'sufficiently different', and other magpie gleanings, such as vintage jewelry and beads.

Her jewellery design comes first, and now as Leader of the Designers eGuild, is active in promoting artisan jewellery Worldwide. But she continues to satisfy her obsession with books by hatching plans for a Scottish books site with her comrade-in-arms from the Thins days, Bill Marshall (well known to
Dorothy Dunnett readers!).
(The link opens a new window/tab - just close it to come back here!)

There's a romantic fiction portal hovering in the background, and she continues her engagement with web design by maintaining her own, and the Art Jeweller's Guild, websites. Who says ADHD and OCD are problems?!

During 2008, she'll be developing an historical jewellery Collection based on themes of History and Romance, stimulated by such authors as Dunnett (Murano, Chess and Sapphires!), Nora Roberts, and the darker themes of Laurel K Hamilton and John Norman. The Renaissance is a particular favourite (all those pearls and lace!), but don't worry, the appeal of designing the more sparse and flexible 21st Century styles continues, and won't be neglected!

So drop by often for an update on Cru's 'treasures' - you never know what she'll be up to next!