Deirdre Maher Ridgway
she/her
Metal Keeps the Score
My work as a jewellery maker is a dedicated exploration of the relationship between the enduring strength of nature and the transformative qualities of metal. My practice allows me to focus fully on this craft, translating a lifelong fascination with the natural world into tangible, wearable forms that serve as a bridge between the wearer and the ancient history of the land.
I am drawn to metal for its unique duality: it is a material of immense durability, yet it possesses a remarkable capacity for fluidity and change. Much like the resilient landscapes that surround and inspire me, metal can be layered, textured, and transformed through heat and pressure. I use techniques such as embossing and casting to capture the physical essence of the outdoors—using tree bark or the raw surface of stone to leave a permanent, tactile impression on the material. Whether polished to a shine or left with a matte, earthy finish, metal has a resilience that allows it to outlast us, mirroring the persistence of nature itself.
Tree Bark Effect, mixed-metal necklace with amber pendant.
Detail of Tree Bark Effect, mixed-metal necklace with amber pendant.
Hammered and pressed Hawthorn collar.
Detail of Hawthorn collar clasp.
Detail of Hawthorn collar findings.
Detail of Hawthorn collar
Grá ring.
Grá ring enamel detailing.
Hammered textured cuff with mixed wire embellishment.
Ode to My Mother, brooch, 5 × 5 cm.