Husband and wife are open for business at new home

A husband and wife who produce handmade jewellery and papercut art, using traditional methods, have opened for business at Ford and Etal Estates.
Lorna and John SpeightLorna and John Speight
Lorna and John Speight

After 20 years away from north Northumberland, John and Lorna Speight have returned to their roots and are operating their individual ventures from The Drying Kiln, close to Heatherslaw Mill.

John’s Original Papercut Art continues a family tradition that began in 1921.

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A third-generation papercut artist, he has an extensive range of designs including local scenes, sports and leisure, cars, animals and trees.

Each silhouette is individually hand-cut using a scalpel, with small differences ensuring that each papercut is a unique original.

He said: “Silhouette cutting was in my family from the day I was born.

“Covering a large range of pastimes, hobbies and special interests, my handmade papercut silhouettes make ideal personal gifts.”

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Lorna, meanwhile, has been making jewellery since she was a child and her business is called Spirit of Colour Jewellery.

She said: “I’ve always been fascinated by the many and various shapes and colours of stones and beads, and try to reflect this in the jewellery I make.”

Using semi-precious stones, her vast array of beautiful, hand-crafted jewellery includes earrings, necklaces and bracelets at prices to suit all pockets.

Both the papercuts and jewellery combine traditional methods with contemporary design.

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The shop is John’s open studio and has been set up so that visitors can watch the papercuts being made, while Lorna will also hold occasional jewellery-making demonstrations.

The couple welcome visitors, and their dogs, to browse the shop and watch them at work.

John Speight’s Papercut Art and Spirit of Colour Jewellery are open daily from April to October.

Visit johnspeight.co.uk or spiritofcolourjewellery.co.uk for winter opening hours and for more information about the businesses. Or call 01890 820202.

The couple’s shop is situated opposite the mill and tea rooms and is next door to the visitor centre.