Blog | Claire Hart Design

South of the Clouds blog

Welcome to my world of silversmithing and design. Here, you’ll discover the artistry, inspiration and craftsmanship that goes into beautiful silver pieces.

'South of the Clouds' is where my new online diary of silversmithing, travel and design unfolds. From enchanting landscapes of Yunnan - which translates as 'Cloud South' - to the vibrant streets of London and now Belfast, this blog gives a flavour of my influences and inspirations as a maker.

My sketchbooks (numbering over 40, many handmade) have always been my main source for ideas - and are taking up more and more space on my bookshelves!

From my home in Belfast, I continue to tap in to the rich cultures of places I love.

Thorn Bowls at CraftNI Christmas Exhibition 2025

Silver thorn bowls

How drawings in Italy take time to become designs in silver

Claire Hart

Nov 72 min read

Sketches in Italy influence new silver jewellery designs.

Influences on Claire Hart Design's silversmithed jewellery.

Claire Hart

Nov 43 min read

The RUA Exhibition 2025

N Ireland's dynamic celebration of creativity at the Ulster Museum

Claire Hart

Nov 32 min read

Chinese Crafts at The Mac

Traditional Chinese craft technique workshops brought to Belfast

Claire Hart

Oct 241 min read

Blossom: Contemporary Chinese art at the Linenhall Library

In the Linenhall library today I was delighted to see the stunning new exhibition by artist Michael Rong-Gen Yin, originally from Shanghai. I loved seeing the traditional brushes on display in their racks, the sketchbooks, so important to an artist, the ink and dishes. and the colour saturation of ink in the art work is incredible, especially the red in these flowers. Capturing the lively movement of birds and painting stunning depth in the red ink flowers.

Claire Hart

Oct 221 min read

A deep dive in to pearls.

What you need to know about pearls

Claire Hart

Oct 202 min read

Chasing and Repousee, silversmithing techniques

I love learning new techniques in art and in silversmithing. I booked in to a weekend workshop with Bryony Knox in Edinburgh a few weeks ago and absolutely loved learning about chasing and repousee. As I have recently retired from teaching it was brilliant to be a student again and learn from an expert. There were five students tapping away in her cosy studio, heating up pitch, setting in the copper and drawing our images, then chasing them in to the metal. some of the equi

Claire Hart

Oct 201 min read

Daisies, wildflowers, botanicals

Love these large daisies which I'm seeing everywhere. Photographed against black creates a wonderful contrast. I started a little drawing of one of them and I'll follow it through with more studies. I enjoyed the detailed botanical drawings I did during lockdown, maybe it's time to start again. We're enjoying the wild flowers planted along the Comber Greenway. I didn't know cornflowers come in such a range of colours

Claire Hart

Oct 201 min read

Red White silver

Japanese Quince I spotted this in my back garden in February - signs of life starting to appear and it was great to have a splash of colour to liven up the winter garden. It reminds me of the red collection I brought out when I lived in London, the bright red sea bamboo claw-set on sterling silver branch. Red Rose Necklace and rose studs I loved crafting the branches and I look forward to showing some new bowls featuring thorny branches and Japanese Quince.

Claire Hart

Oct 201 min read