Joanne Thompson graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a 1st class Hons Degree and went on to complete an MA in Jewellery at the Royal College of Art in London. Following this, a Setting Up Award from the Crafts Council helped Joanne to establish her studio in Edinburgh where she creates batch production ranges as well as one-off pieces of jewellery.

Using mainly silver and oxidised silver, Joanne uses unit construction methods such as chain mail and hingeing, assembling pieces into necklaces, bracelets and rings, making forms which are three dimensional, flexible, tactile and durable. Each piece is hand-crafted at the bench, giving even the production pieces a certain individuality.

Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1995, Joanne has exhibited nationally and internationally and is a regular exhibitor at the Chelsea Crafts Fair in London.

She was twice commissioned by De Beers, in 1996 and 1997, to create jewellery for the prize-winner at Diamond Day, Ascot. And, in 1998, she attended a reception for ‘‘Young Achievers’’ given by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.