Jeweller JAIMIE MACDONALD from Strathpeffer in Ross-shire has been shortlisted for a new eco-prize to recognise creative work which promotes greener lifestyles.

This was the first year of the award, which is an initiative of the Eco Trust, and which celebrates work that demonstrates flair and originality and inspires others to participate in environmentally friendly living.

Jaimie, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art this year, was shortlisted for a series of brooches called ‘Lay of the Land’ created from recycled plastic film cartons.

Kay Henning, Founder and Trustee of the Eco Trust said “We created this award to encourage and celebrate artists working with flair and inventiveness on important issues which touch the lives of many people in Scotland. We have been really impressed by the range and quality of the entries.”

Although not the winner of the award, Jaimie enjoyed meeting the other finalists at the presentation event and the feeling of a sense of belonging generated by meeting other Scottish artists with the same attitude to the environment.

Explaining her approach she says “My jewellery has evolved from a great interest in reusing materials, and through exploration I have considered the essential characteristics of materials and how they can be changed to have new life in a completely different context.

“This transformational approach is only part of my work; it also has to portray something that is of significance to me. I am inspired by Scottish landscapes; therefore I photograph and draw the natural environment. Being Scottish myself it helps me to express the connection that I have with this country and explore the aspects that I find stunning and precious.

“My starting point is unconventional in that the material used is predominantly black and white film containers, and may not seem particularly in keeping with traditional Scottish crafts. However, the extent of my enquiry into the material, through cutting, texturing and forming, draws out an unexpected empathy with the natural Scottish environment and the impact that our wasteful lifestyles are having on it.

“I recognise the sense of apathy that some feel about the issue of recycling and sustainability, however I feel that increasing awareness through design is much less sanctimonious than campaining can be. I feel this could help to change behaviour and attitudes by example, showing that further beauty and usefulness can be brought out from these discarded objects, and that they should not be cast to the scrap heap for eternity.”

Jaimie is currently continuing her work in the jewellery and silversmithing department at Edinburgh College of Art and is taking part in a few things over the next few months. She says “I am involved in a project called Full Circle in Gillingham, Kent; this is a collaborative of around 25 artists of varying disciplines, which aims to involve the community in realising the creative possibility of waste and how it can be transformed into something of value and beauty.”

She will also have a stall at the Eco Design Fair in Camden, London in December and will be exhibiting as a member of The Society of Designer Craftsmen in the Mall Galleries in London in January 2006.

Next year she will also be involved in an informal day of staff training at Hutchisons Grammar School in Glasgow; passing on her skills to some of the teachers there so that they can translate the way she works with materials into new ways of teaching the pupils.

Find out more about Jaimie and her work at www.jaimgem.com

© Tina Rose, 2005