Pateley Bridge: How Yorkshire town is following in footsteps of great cities to create its own jewellery quarter

Inspired by famous jewellery quarters around the world - including Birmingham and the bustling markets of Hong Kong and Thailand - the idea is to create a destination where visitors can meet makers, see specialist skills in action and discover unique, handcrafted pieces.

The initiative was created by established jeweller Joanne Gowan who says the launch last month also highlights the resilience of the town’s creative community.

Two of the jewellers taking part, Debby Moxon and Ian Simm, are currently working from a temporary space after their long-standing studio was severely damaged when a fire tore through the roof of the King Street Workshops in September 2024.

Despite the setback, they were be among the artists who welcomed visitors during the launch weekend.

"With three jewellery studios situated in one quarter of the King Street Workshop area, the idea of a Jewellery Quarter came to us soon after Alice Clarke opened in Studio 9,” explains Joanne Gowan.

"We had planned to wait until renovations after the fire were complete, however with no progress or plan from the council after 18 months, we saw no point in waiting and this is a good way to let people know we’re still here and thriving.

“Jewellery quarters exist all over the world because visitors find a choice of different designers and style all located in one area, the most convenient way to choose jewellery. It’s somewhere you can explore, meet the makers and discover individual and one-off pieces in a relaxed setting.”

The studios opening for the event include:

Joanne Gowan

Joanne has worked as a jeweller for more than 40 years and has lived and worked in Pateley Bridge since 2024. Her fine art jewellery using traditional handmaking techniques uses 18ct gold, silver, and platinum and features unusual gemstones in distinctive cuts chosen to suit each individual design.

"I create fine art jewellery with designs influenced by my passions of nature, landscape, history, archaeology, travel, ballet and music.

"My picture pieces use representational themes which often stem from my love of sketching and watercolours during my time away from the workbench. These ‘vignette’ items are rather like framed artworks that focus on one moment, giving insight into a particular subject,” says Gowan.

“I love to make entirely by hand, with traditional techniques such as forging, piercing, repousse and hand-built stone mounts. I use 18ct and 22ct gold, silver, platinum and palladium as well as a wide range of gemstones, including unusual materials and special cuts according to what is appropriate for each piece.

Alice Clarke

Alice returned to her hometown of Pateley Bridge in 2024 after running her jewellery business in the Falkland Islands for several years.

Her work draws inspiration from wild landscapes, from the Falklands to the Yorkshire moors. Designs begin as wax carvings before being cast in-house and finished with stones carefully set by hand.

Debby Moxon and Ian Simm

Debby and Ian have been creating work in Pateley Bridge for more than 30 years. After their studio was tragically destroyed in the fire at the workshops in 2024, they have recently begun to create a new range of jewellery using their unique method of colouring titanium.

Pieces are all heat-treated titanium, layered with silver behind/fittings. Although well known for their titanium jewellery, precious metals and stones, including opals, are used in additional ranges and one off pieces.

They feel that the dramatic and contrasting landscape of high fells, heather moorland, and gentle farmland has a profound effect on all who live and work in the area.

To mark the launch on April 25 and 26, the jewellers also invited a small group of Yorkshire designer jewellers to join the event with pop-up stalls in Studio 6.

Saima Jewel

Saima Jewel represents traditional craftsmanship and bespoke contemporary design with an Eastern twist.

"I am incredibly proud of my British Asian background and enjoy exploring the endless beauty of Indian and Pakistani pattern design,” says Jewel.

“I also love the intricacies of traditional Western filigree style jewellery. My jewellery designs symbolise an infusion of the two cultures, a new perspective on East meets West.

"I use embellishments such as semi precious stones and beads along side oxidising techniques to enhance the pattern in the design to the fullest. Each piece is handcrafted from my workshop in Bingley using precious and semi-precious materials.”

Mark Veevers

Mark Veevers says his work is heavily influenced by his interest in motorcycling and the countryside –farmers’ wonky fences in particular.

“I have several passions in my life. The main one is designing and making jewellery using a variety of metals both precious and non precious.”

Adele Taylor

Adele says her work explores the beauty of line, texture, and pattern, particularly as they occur in the landscape. “I am drawn to the natural qualities of materials, especially metals, paper and drawing media, allowing them to behave in their own way. The process of handcrafting each piece, whether jewellery, artwork, or objects is an essential part of my creative process.”

Karen Ward: Karen was a initially an artist who drew and painted mainly horses and animal portraits in the past, but since starting her own jewellery design business this has taken a back seat. “I have always made "one of a kind designs" and love learning new techniques, by happy accident some experimenting last year led to a crossover between my drawing and jewellery as can be seen from some of my recent engraved animal pieces.”

Joanne adds: “Our styles are all very different - from handmade gold, platinum and gemstone jewellery to wax-carved cast pieces and modern coloured titanium designs. Between us there’s something for every taste and budget, and visitors can either buy from our collections or commission a completely one-off piece.” The organisers hope the initiative will help establish Pateley Bridge as a destination for jewellery lovers and visitors looking for locally made work.

The Pateley Jewellery Quarter will officially launch at King Street Workshops (known as Pateley Makers Yard) over the weekend of 25 - 26 April.