Edition Five Feature
Words by Megan Falconer
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Photo Credit: ©Megan Falconer and ©Steve Smith @megan_falconer/@everythingislies

I’m Megan Falconer, a jeweller, silversmith and occasional tool-maker based in Aberdeen, Scotland, in the UK. My practice has developed over the years and since graduating in 2015, and my craft often shifts between sculptural work, functional tableware, jewellery and fine jewellery – but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I love going into the studio each day with a new challenge and another problem to solve through the mediums of silver and gold. I’m hugely inspired by the Scottish landscape that surrounds me, and often use found objects in my work to connect the pieces of precious metal to the inspiration that their design sprung from.

My business is based in Deemouth Artist Studios in Aberdeen, a fantastic community full of talented artists/makers. I really don’t like pigeonholing myself as only a silversmith/goldsmith/jeweller, so usually my week consists of making collections of jewellery from silver and gold, working on bespoke commissions and remodels, running workshops and meeting clients for consultations. I’m also often to be found making larger-scale functional and sculptural work for exhibitions and galleries across the UK.

I’ve been based at my studio for around two years now; before that, I worked from a tiny space – around a fifth of the size of where I am now – in another studio in Aberdeen. And, originally, I was making my work from a corner of my bedroom in my flat – luckily, things have moved on considerably since then. I’m now in a space that feels like a second home and that I absolutely love coming to every day. I would love to eventually have a studio in a timber-clad, purpose-built space in the Scottish countryside, with huge glass windows and a wood burning stove ... but I have plenty of time to work towards that goal in my thirties.

I absolutely love learning and I never want to stop adding new techniques and hand skills to my craft. In my first five years in business, I thought it was really important to reinvest in my practice and future by applying for further training courses after my degree, as it would benefit me in the long run. And I’ve been lucky enough to receive several awards to attend further training programmes post-graduation.

Another aspect of my business is passing on my knowledge through teaching jewellery and silversmithing workshops. You will often see me sharing work with my students and it gives me a real sense of fulfilment to see other people enjoy what I do and get the same satisfaction as I get from creating something with their hands.

My business is currently based in Aberdeen but, in all honesty, I couldn’t tell you where I’ll be in five years’ time. I have benefited greatly over the last eight years by doing part of my undergraduate degree at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada; taking part in work experience in Adelaide, Australia; and doing silversmithing training with masters of silversmithing in the Netherlands, Shetland and across the UK