Isabella Kelley

Isabella Anne Kelley is a Yorkshire-based silversmith who takes her inspiration from architecture and the stories it holds. She is especially drawn to Gothic churches, Celtic knotwork, and the industrial heritage of Victorian buildings, using these influences to shape both her silverware and jewellery.

Her design process is hands-on and exploratory: she begins with sketching, then moves into model making, often creating the first version of a piece in copper before it is finally realised in silver. This approach allows her to refine structure, pattern, and proportion in a way that feels intuitive and responsive. Isabella draws upon her skill in saw-piercing and engraving or carving patterns directly into the metal, bringing detail and texture to her surfaces.

She combines these techniques with traditional silversmithing methods such as raising and forging, creating pieces that remain rooted in craft while embracing the contemporary. Within her practice, interlaced patterns and historical motifs are translated into contemporary forms, shaping the evolving visual language of her silverware and jewellery. Based at Silverspace within Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield, Isabella works within a community of makers in a city with a rich metalworking history. Her aim is to create functional objects that carry a sense of place, heritage, and personal connection—pieces designed to be handled, used, and enjoyed.