Silversmiths And Shell is a proudly South African, Jo’burg based small business comprising its founding members AND(rea) and SHELL(ey), specialising in handcrafted jewellery and photography.
With a background in electroplating and the manufacturing of plating chemicals for the jewellery industry, our contemporary, handcrafted pieces are a testament to timeless traditions. We use traditional tools and techniques dating back centuries and utilize precious and semi-precious stones and metals, mainly sterling silver and copper alloys, as well as found objects, Perspex, vinyls, and resins in our creations.
Shelley, the active jeweller, has been creating original pieces since 1999, is largely self-taught, and boasts a library exceeding a hundred books on jewellery and jewellery making. Both Shell and Andi initially began their jewellery-making journey by learning the basics from the very talented Helen Domleo, a South African jeweller who now resides in Nottinghamshire, UK.
The art of melting, pouring, rolling, hammering, bending, piercing, soldering, stamping, and polishing metal to create a piece of jewellery or functional art is incredibly enriching, especially when the piece produced has significance and brings joy to the recipient.
Our ethos is unity in diversity, and we celebrate each client for their individuality and self-expression. Whether you wear your jewellery as a symbol of love and commitment, to commemorate or eulogize special occasions or people, as a talisman for protection or abundance, or simply as a declaration of your style and personality, we aspire to create pieces that can be ardently cherished. The honour of creating treasures is certainly revered.
Handcrafting jewellery is a wonderful outlet to express one’s creativity, play with fire, reimagine metal, get your hands dirty while handling tools, and interacting with ancient minerals in the form of captivating gemstones. The end result is a unique and high-quality adornment that embodies the artist's dedication and skill.
