ABOUT US
All our jewellery is handmade by Karl Smith.
Karl, originally from Lewes, East Sussex, has been using his crafting skills for many years in a range of creative industries. With a background in building and historic restoration, he soon realised that his passion came from a more creative place and began producing furniture and sculpture in oak and alabaster.
From here, Karl discovered a passion for jewellery-making and silver-smithery. Predominantly self-taught, he found that he enjoyed working with metals to create beautiful and unique pieces and thus, Rooks & Roses was born.
Working organically, rather than in a structured way, taking inspiration from the natural world, many of Karl’s pieces represent plants and creatures. His range includes dragonflies, stags, bees, fungi, leaves, flowers and other organic forms inspired by trees, water and rocks. You may also spot the occasional Celtic-inspired piece.
Most of all, Karl enjoys getting to work without being too prescriptive about how the finished product might look; preferring to see where his creative flow takes him. By his own admission, this is how some of his best work is produced.
In 2015 Karl met Lindsay and relocated to Yorkshire. A collaborative approach has enabled the business to grow and flourish since then, with Karl designing and making, and Lindsay working ‘behind the scenes’ on administration and finance.
You can often find Karl at Maker’s markets and festivals across the UK where he takes his work on the road. Our retail outlets are also beginning to grow.
When he’s not out and about at events across the country, Karl loves nothing more than to sit at his bench creating new pieces. Time allowing, he loves to take on bespoke commissions, working collaboratively with clients to create something truly unique and special.
For the last few years, Karl has been delivering workshops from his studio at The Sculpture Lounge in Holmfirth, where he teaches the basics of jewellery-making to students at evening classes. He can also work with you to create your own special pieces, such as wedding rings, for example.