Verity Wedderburn-Ogilvy

Verity, Scottish artisan jeweller based in Perthshire

Verity is a jeweller who specialises in hand made bespoke and 'one-off' pieces using sterling silver, gold and gemstones; sometimes including copper, mokume, titanium or resin. Her passion for the outdoors, the natural world and animals is a constant inspiration throughout her work. Verity works from her home studio near Crieff, under the name Weddog Design.

Her interest in jewellery making started in the 1980s with a Scottish Development Council Craft Apprenticeship; combined with night classes and and block release to Glasgow School of Art Jewellery & Silversmithing department. Verity augmented her jewellery knowledge working in retail in London’s famous jewellery centre Hatton Garden, before returning to Scotland and setting up her own jewellery practice. Alongside life’s juggles, Verity has been creating in some shape or form ever since.

Aesthetic

Verity’s love of nature mostly inspires her work. The minutiae detail in the pattern or shape of a flower or leaf, or the natural markings in beautiful gemstones, or even a piece of scrap silver are regular starting points for her designs. However through her development process they often evolve into something very different, uniquely interpreting her own style of working.

Her love of animals, particularly dogs and horses, has also led to other jewellery designs embracing a keepsake and memorial element to her work. Verity also enjoys remodelling existing jewellery, repurposing and developing new designs to be worn and enjoyed for many more years.

Practice

Verity’s passion for working with her hands and using traditional tools and techniques employed by jewellers for hundreds of years, helps keep long-established skills alive, whilst still being open to modern concepts like silver clay and resin. Every piece is made by hand, right down to often melting down silver and gold to requirements.

Commissions are a speciality, and for bespoke work the design process begins with an idea from the client, followed by discussion and exploration of different possibilities. Initial drawings are produced and designs worked out and agreed. Care is taken to involve the client at every step of the creation journey and every piece is something completely individual and unique.