Caius Bearder (10852) was born in Guernsey, and was fascinated by small objects and making from an early age. Living on an island, he was drawn to the coast, especially to the unusual and beautiful flora, fauna and geography of beaches and cliffs.

After a period of time working with local jewellery Catherine Best, Caius studied Silversmithing and Jewellery (BA Hons) at Glasgow School of Art (GSA), during which time he discovered silversmithing as a creative medium. Drawn towards larger scale work and keen to develop his practice at a postgraduate level, Caius became a Fellow of Bishopsland Educational Trust after a year long residency.

Caius is currently an Artist in Resident at the GSA, where he is continuing to develop new designs and pieces of jewellery and silversmithing for commissions and sales. He is currently focusing on the use of hand engraving to create dynamic reflection in metal surfaces, to mimic the constant flow and motion of the ocean surface. He draws inspiration from the island’s vast multitude of natural coastal forms, especially those found in rockpools and at the base of cliff faces. Combining soft aquatic surface lines and denser textures to reflect turbulent rock faces and waves and working predominantly in silver, he utilises a combination of traditional techniques such as engraving and raising to achieve the shapes and details which provide dynamic light play to the surfaces of his pieces.

He has recently exhibited at Elements Festival of Jewellery, Silver and Gold in Edinburgh and at Goldsmiths Fair in London this past October where he notes how amazing it was to meet so many passionate and curious people interested in his craft and pieces. 

If you have any ideas for silver objects or jewellery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!