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The Oathill Silversmith
Helloooooo, I’m Gabriel *waving frantically*
I’m what is known as a coin-cutter. I am also a self trained silversmith and jewellery artist and the man responsible for creating the fantasy world of Oathill and Kinsfolk. Oathill and Kinsfolk is the place where many of the little scenes in my designs take place. From the penny tree that Julia Owl sits in, the silver mushroom fields that Soa Fox and George Hare play in, and right through to the Estra Mountains where the Oathill Valleys guardian dragon sleeps. It’s all depicted in jewellery made by me, the Oathill Silversmith.
Growing up in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside it should come as no surprise that nature features heavily in many of my designs. From the local and quaint goings on of the foxes, robins, and rabbits, through to the deliberate yet casual wanderings of more exotic animals such as bears and elephants. My taste and inspirations change from day to day and week to week. I can spend some time at the seaside and be making pieces with lighthouse designs, or making pieces that remind me of my favourite childhood stories. Only to have a cheeky robin tapping on my window sill and turn my attention to making bird pieces for weeks. It really is a fun way to work and keeps my pieces changing.
As well as my Gabriel Graham designs, I also make a large range of classic cut-coins. These are the designs that I’ve been doing the longest, and are responsible for grabbing my interest in the history and process of what is known as ‘trench art’.
Coin Cutting and Trench Art
Trench Art – A Short History of Coin-Cutting
As with many creative endeavours coin-cutting has an unusual history. During the years of World War I the soldiers would come from all walks of life and various vocations. The jewellers and artisans would usually take their tools with them and put them to work when ever they could to keep their minds busy. From this attempt at distracting themselves they created unusual and fascinating art and jewellery from bullet shells, coins, and even the bones of their food.
When possible I use the same traditional tools that would have been used all those years ago. I’ve got it down to only relying on power tools for the polishing and finishing of the pieces.
I hope knowing a little history of the process and materials involved has been as interesting to you as it was to me. After all, it’s what led me to do what I do.
