About LAURA KENT
Laura Kent grew up in a very creative family. Her grandfather was a photographer and artist, her grandmother an artist and fantastic knitter. Her parents are also artists. Her father sings too and her Mother is an amazing cook, knitter and seamstress. Even her brother is a web designer. With creativity in her blood and surrounded by such a variety of skills, it’s no surprise that Laura has artistic talents of her own.
In 2002 Laura began making greeting cards, even making her own wedding invitations, decorating them with beads and sequins. Although she loves to create cards, she quickly realised that, although there was a demand for her lovely designs, the time and attention spent on decoration didn’t allow for any profit and her cards would be relatively expensive to cover her costs.
Still passionate about working with beads, Laura progressed to making jewellery. Influenced by all sorts of beaded and charm jewellery she came across, Laura started to experiment with her own designs and taught herself the skills to create handmade jewellery. Her pieces soon started to sell and she is now a fully fledge jewellery designer-maker.
In 2006, Laura set up a small business under the name Silvercat Design and began selling at craft fairs, her first being the Town & Country Festival at Stoneleigh Park. Her success at this show spurred her on to develop more designs, expand her collection and attend more shows.
Laura loves shopping for beads and making something completely new and unique. Every piece of jewellery is designed and handmade by Laura and in 2010 she felt it was time to trade under her own name.
Producing themed collections for each season of the year, Laura looks to the latest fashion trends and spends time playing with beads, wire, chain and fabrics to add her own unique twist on them. Laura is continually honing her designs and expanding her skills as she goes, developing new pieces for her collection, using high quality materials including freshwater pearls, sterling silver charms, wire and swarovski crystals. Laura also likes to use Karen Hill Tribe charms. The Karen Hill Tribe are a small community in Thailand that make all their own silver charms and beads in order to generate their own income.
Born in Durban, South Africa, and growing up in the South West, Laura loves the sea and is constantly inspired by nature which she incorporates into her work. Laura says: “I just love seeing beautiful things, whether that is a perfumed rose or a delicate handmade glass bead. These things excite me and inspire me to create jewellery that reflects that. I also want the wearer to feel special and like a princess every time she puts it on”.