About
Hello! let me introduce myself…My name is Melissa, I’m married, have lots of great friends and family and truly enjoy…‘The Great British Bake Off’, Earl Grey tea, cheese, red wine, Marmite, car boot sales, cities, belts, carnations and crisps!…oh along with making, making, making!
For many years I have been creating my own jewellery and other ‘one offs’ for gifts and presents. With encouragement from my husband, family and friends, I built the courage (and made the time!) and started ‘Jopp’ in 2011, and I have not looked back since. The name ‘Jopp’ is taken from my family name: Keith-Jopp. We have a great history with a family tree dating back to 1795. ‘Jopp’ seemed perfect!
I have always hoped that one day I would own my own
‘little shop around the corner’ in a quaint village
somewhere beautiful. Well here goes…
The Jopp collection demonstrates my strong ethos, which is simply: up-cycling; using found and interesting materials such as ornate beads, buttons, vintage fabrics and paper to create each ring, necklace, pendant or brooch uniquely cast in resin. My keen eye for spotting beauty in these every day ‘bits and bobs’ ensures each found fragment has a new life, transformed into wearable, affordable accessories. My aim is to create jewellery that is affordable and completely unique.
My style is something that has evolved over time. It tends to be influenced by the objects I find, be it a unique piece of fabric, an old cardigan button or a handful of old photographs from a car boot sale.
From a textile design point of view, I have always been strongly influenced by the bright, optimistic and abstract patterns of Lucienne Day. I am a huge fan of Claire Coles and her vintage, intricately embroidered fabrics and prints. I also admire the way textile and jewellery designer Betty Pepper manages to effortlessly find that elusive something which makes an object desirable to view or wear. I hope that one day I will too be an inspiration to new and up coming designers.
I use a water clear casting resin, which is the foundation of my jewellery pieces. This gives the pieces a clear, crisp finish and allows me to cast virtually anything inside.
I have recently started making and selling the new ‘vintage’ and ‘vintage inspired’ headpieces range, following a series of successful commissions for brides on their wedding days and other special occasions. I use old and unique brooches and gems, transforming them into really rather lovely accessories for a hair up or down do’s. These headpieces can be made as a completely unique, bespoke commission, or you can simply browse the shop for pieces that are made and ready to purchase.
I have always been involved in arts and crafts. Since leaving University my dream has been to start and run a successful and unique craft business, hoping that one day I can own my own ‘little shop around the corner’ in a quaint village somewhere beautiful. Well here goes…
