The Ticketyboo Coo and we absolutely love everything about her and her work.
With two teenage daughters, an affectionate dog and a degree in biology,
she found her calling six years ago in casting a variety of Scottish Shells in silver.
Making jewellery is her way of getting independent and staying in charge of
schedule. I met Elaine in her Edinburgh studio to talk about life and craft. Read on to
get to know The Ticketyboo Coo a little bit better.
the sea! Can you tell us about how it started?
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity of redundancy at a time when my two
daughters were much younger and I was keen to be around for the drop offs, pick-
ups, sports days, school shows etc. I was also very aware that at some point they
wouldn’t need me as much so I wanted to have something that was mine, that I
could build upon as they grew up and needed me less and less. I’ve always enjoyed
the creative side of things and many years ago had done an evening silversmithing
class so I did a couple of silver clay classes and landed on silver jewellery, I did also
do some sewing classes but it’s safe to say that is definitely not my forte!
Fast forward 6 years and the drop-offs and pick-ups remain – just much earlier in the
day and later in the evening, sports days have turned into rowing regattas and
hockey matches and school shows into pipe band competitions. I woud seem
“needing you less” as they grow up is an urban myth – they need you just as much
but in a different way!
I actually knew what my business name was going to be before I knew what my
business was going to be, The Ticketyboo Coo I think reflects me - I’m a glass half
full kind of girl with a fondness for a highland cow.
3. I love your connection with the land. Each silver piece of your jewellery has a clear
label stating where in Scotland the original shell has been found. Can you name a
few of your inspiring places?
The first shell I recreated in silver was found on a walk just around covid time when
we were eventually allowed to meet other people outdoors as well as be more than
five miles from home - so we went to Cramond Beach and found a teeny little whelk
shell and ever since then I’ve come home from a beach walk with a crick in my neck
from scouring the sands for shells. I think we are exceptionally lucky living in
Edinburgh with the coast to the east and so many beaches a short drive away. The
beaches of Nairn where I was lucky enough to grow have got to be my favourites
though and are they are the inspiration behind my sunset beach collection which are made from a combination of silver and gold reminding me of the beautiful sunsets in Nairn.
the highest grade of silver. Can you tell me a bit more about what your art is made
of?
The silver range is made fine and sterling silver, sometimes with a spash of gold and
the odd gemstone thrown in. All of the metals are recycled and recyclable too and
one of the things that I love about working with silver is if you make a mistake you
can just melt it down and start again.
To cast the shells I use a couple of different methods - the teeny tiny ones I cast
using a silver clay which is quite magical. It’s essentially finely ground recycled silver
combined with an organic binder which in its clay type form can be moulded, rolled
essentially shaped into whatever you like. Once its dry its then fired, the binder burns
away and you are left with a piece in fine silver. Fine silver is a purer form of silver,
sterling as you’ll know if often refered to as 925 silver - for every 1000 particles 925
are silver the remaining 75 being copper, fine silver is also referred to as 999 silver
so the copper content is far far less.
Some of the larger shells are cast for me using my originals using a method called
lost wax casting - this allows me me to keep costs down on the larger pieces and also
work more efficiently.
puffins, highland coos and sheep. What materials do you use for those?
Thankfully the days of painstaking painting are over! The wooden range started as
cows, sheep and puffins and really started as I needed a break from making teeny
tiny whelks and at the time I would use my friend’s laser machine to cut the shapes
with FSC certified wood and then I would sit and paint each one individually, using
my watercolour paint pens. Now though I do it all digitally and my designs are printed
directly onto the wood for me to finish. This has been a huge learning curve for me
but its allowed me to really refine my designs and speed up the time it takes from the
idea popping into my head to a pair of earrings popping into a customer’s ears!
and imperfections that make them feel so real. Working on such a tiny scale must
come with a price. What are your most cherished and least favourite aspects of
work?
My eyesight has definitely suffered as a result of the size of some of the pieces ive
chosen to create and I absolutely love the dog walk on the beach that’s rewarded
with both a hot chocolate and a with a handful of shells! I love the making process
and in particular seeing the shells and the wooden pieces come together. My least
favourite aspects, like many makers are all the other necessary aspects of running a
business, it is just me, I’m the maker, the photographer, the saleswoman, marketeer,
the book-keeper, the social media manager…..the list goes on – all necessary roles
but now where near as much fun as making something that someone will be
absolutely delighted to recieve.
designs. How is your work fitting into your wider community?
Yes, my youngest has recently designed a range of wooden flower earrings which
she will be taking ownership off which I’m very excited about….. maybe she will
become The Ticketyboo Coo of the future!
I tend not to do many in person markets although I can always be found at the
schools Christmas Fair, although this year I was demoted from stall holder to snack-
runner as my eldest and her friend ran the stall for me (and did a very good job too!)
I’m delighted to have a selection of both my silver and wooden work stocked in
Curiouser and Curiouser.
8. What are you working on at the moment Elaine? Is there anything you are
experimenting with?
The cost of silver has rocketed since I started - up around 400%! so like many
makers I am looking at more wallet friendly alternatives whilst at the same time trying
to ensure I stay true to my current style. Red bronze is my current favourite as it has
a lovely rose goldish tint to it and more of an earthy warmth to it than the cool vibes
silver tends to give off.
9. When you are not working away at your bench, what is your favourite way to
recharge?
A dog walk with Monty, ideally on a beach although we can be found more often than
not in the Hermitage or at one of Edinburgh’s many reservoirs.
A dolphin – they always look as if they are smiling so I reckon they have a happy
life!