Lindsey Gallacher

This week I finally received delivery of a new Rubi stone cutting machine with the help of Highlife Highland, Creative Scotland and XpoNorth who were responsible for awarding me partial funding so that I could explore the properties of my local stone. I have spent a year developing commercial jewellery using Caithness stone which has been very well received locally, and now I want to create more contemporary, experimental work. This is my first few slices of stone from an inland quarry near my parents home.

Pottery pieces I've had for 20 years, each one of them considered and picked up because they'd caught my eye. The thing is, I have never used them and often they're put in a box but when I do find them again they instantly remind me of days out and therefore are my kind of souvenir. When we were little, our first experience of beachcombing was to find 'groatie buckies', my granny was an expert, she always had the most at the end of the day.  In Caithness there are very few pieces of pottery or sea glass so anything other than shells are a real find. The pieces in the photo are from Lyndesfarne and Embo.

Trying out new ideas with the circular stone cutter. Looking forward to getting the new bench cutter and precision cutting.

Some little pieces of art in coaster form.

This picture was a labour of love.  Usually I go down to the harbour to draw but on this occasion I took photos as the weather was rough and all the boats were parked up waiting for a break in the storm, it was cold and windy and not a day for hanging about. I did one small pen and ink then one large full sized charcoal drawing of which I used as a template for the wire. There is no use trying to guess a picture, it needs to be right before I start, but I also never know how it will go or what I'm going to do until I start, a bit like starting to write a novel but only vaguely knowing the main characters name but not knowing what the plot will be. I used a variety of different kinds of wire including forging a piece of copper rod. The work tooks weeks, I pondered over it for months. Once the wire part had been completed I laquered it and the resulting drip effect I was very happy about. But the most difficult part is adding the pieces of colour, always, this never gets easier. Each...

Beachcombing is a pastime loved by many. Finding a treasure between some pebbles that no one else has seen. It could be a piece of seaglass, the rounder and frostier the better, or a piece of pottery perhaps from times long ago. I found this stone the other day, on a beach that has few shells and no glass or pottery, it does however have the most amazing assortment of rounded boulders in every colour and pattern imaginable. I resist the temptation to take one home every day but can't help myself when the tide has wet them, pick up a stunning stripey or speckled rock to put on display by the front door. Every time though without fail, when the stone dries off, the glossy patterns fade to dusty images. Really they should be left where they are, but who can resist?

I love these cufflinks, Caithness stone picked from a quarry inland that displays more prominent lines of iron oxide. The stone has been etched to enhance these lines then set in sterling silver making them unique for any man who might have a connection with Caithness or Scotland.

Another new design finished today while the boys spent the day at Dornoch with their grandparents.

I love the simplicity of this design finished with a handmade t-bar connection. Also ready to order.

The product testing is done and this bracelet will be ready to order for the christmas season.

New wirework finished in time for The Caithness artists exhibition in Thurso High School next week.

New work coming together nicely, these are the cufflinks and they will be available in silver, gold plated silver and if you're  feeling flush, 9 or 18ct gold.

My second attempt at trying to create facets in a relatively ordinary piece of Caithness slate. Polishing up this mudstone reveals delicate layers of silt that look like miniature landscapes. My next step is to combine gold into the design to compliment the stone, I'm having a lot of fun and making a lot of dust...

I've been drawing up at the quarry for some time now and at some point the idea of making some jewellery came into my head.  So I dusted down the  workbench and started experimenting. I've been up to Spittal quarry to pick their brains and now I have a whole new world of tools to buy... it's a dusty business this stone but it polishes up a treat!

Had a relaxing afternoon drawing still life with mum who wanted some drawing tips. What I decided was that she should do a quick sketch on throw away paper using a continuous line, but NOT looking at the paper - this would concentrate her mind to looking at the subject and prepare her for a second sketch - like a warm up as you would with exercise, and if the picture was terrible it was always meant to be binned anyway. Turns out we both agreed she shouldn't throw that sketch away as it turned out to be lively with lots of marks that she wouldn't have done had she been watching her pencil! This is my piece, first marked out with marks made using my fingertip dipped in charcoal dust,  pencil line, a little dry acrylic for texture then watercolour wash over.