With her strikingly unique jewellery and ethically sourced materials, Lisa Catterson is a shining example of bespoke success.
Working from a studio in the historic Briggait building in Glasgow run by Wasps Artist Studios, Lisa Catterson started farado design in 2016 to allow her to focus on bespoke jewellery design commissions. Inspired by repetition in nature and influenced by Scandinavian design, Lisa loves working with people directly and solving design problems.
The design process starts with Lisa drawing repetitive structures in nature that inspire her: close ups of feathers; clusters of seeds in plants and gemstones in their natural forms. Aspects of these drawings and forms that appeal to her develop into the final designs.
Sometimes Lisa’s designs are less focused on repetitive organic forms and instead draw on Scandinavian design principles: simplicity, minimalism and functionality. She may build a design idea around a specific stone and respond directly to what would complement this best.
Using Computer Aided Design, along with traditional jewellery techniques she creates bespoke luxury jewellery pieces specialising in engagement and wedding rings. Lisa translates hand drawings of her initial design to a three dimensional computer model of the piece and develop it further using sophisticated 3D modelling software. Creating a virtual 3D model of the piece allows her to experiment with forms before casting, and also allows clients to review their commission before committing to the final design.
The model can then be 3D printed, and the traditional jewellery process takes over. The 3D print is cast in gold, cleaned up and polished, stones are set and the metal is hallmarked to show the fineness.
Lisa graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 2012 with a BA (Hons) in Silversmithing and Jewellery Design.
Over the four years since graduating she has worked on a variety of artistic projects.
These include taking part in international jewellery exhibitions, a year-long post as artist in residency at Edinburgh College of Art and a project with National Museum of Scotland, teaching school groups.
The word “farado” means making in Esperanto, a constructed international language created to allow people of different nationalities and mother tongues to communicate.
When she set out to start a new bespoke design service, this idea of a common language for people to communicate felt very fitting.
FAIRTRADE ADVANTAGES
Using ethically sourced materials, including Fairtrade Gold and traceable diamonds is extremely important to Lisa.
Miners receive at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price for their Fairtrade Gold, as well as the Fairtrade Premium to spend on improving their business or community projects.
Education, clean water and healthcare are a few of the things this extra money goes towards. Fairtrade certification means these small scale gold miners meet Fairtrade Standards.
These include strict requirements on working conditions, health and safety, women’s rights, child labour and protection of the environment.
Jewellery made from Fairtrade Gold is stamped with the Fairtrade Mark, meaning it is fully traceable from the certified mine – guaranteeing that the material used has contributed to a fairer industry.
Win a Fairtrade ring worth up to £2000
To celebrate the launch of the farado design website, The Herald has teamed up with farado design to offer readers the opportunity to win an 18ct Fairtrade Gold and ethically sourced diamond ring up to the value of £2,000.
Buying Fairtrade Gold makes a real difference to the lives of miners, their families and communities. Jewellery with the Fairtrade Gold Stamp is extra special.
Buying it means you know the small-scale and artisanal miners were paid a fair price, giving them financial security. Once the winner has been chosen, Lisa will meet with them to have a bespoke design consultation.
Lisa provides a highly personalised service, working with clients to involve them in design process as much, or little, as they wish. She can include personal touches, sentimental details and things that are important to the individuals.
After the design is agreed upon it will take about six weeks for the unique piece to be created.
To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question:
Q: Can you name the gold that Lisa at farado design uses?
Simply email your answer, name, full postal address and contact number to marketing@theherald.co.uk.
Terms and conditions: By entering this competition you are signing up to the farado design mailing list. Closing date for entries is Friday 4th November at 23:59pm. Only one winner will be picked.
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