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Eric
"How long have you been working with jewellery?"
Eric Brackenbury already showed an interest in precious metals and jewellery at the age of
13.
In 1960 at the age of 15 he studied for a year at the Gravesend College of Arts and Crafts, where he won a competition sponsored by a corporate body to promote craftsmanship.
Being enamoured of beautiful craftsmanship and wanting to keep it alive, Eric was encouraged to do a 5 year apprenticeship and a further 3 years as a journeyman in London, England.
Much more valuable experience was gained working for a company executing special orders for famous jewellery stores such as Cartiers and Garrards.. Further skills were developed working for a smaller company specializing in modern jewellery.
1973-76 Eric opened his own store and a workshop in Henley on Thames with a staff of 5 people.
At the end of 1976 Eric accepted an offer to move to Canada and become a business partner in a jewellery manufacturing company in Ottawa.
From 1979 to 1982 Eric also taught "Techniques of Precious Metals and the Fabrication of Jewellery" at Algonquin College, Ottawa.
After his business partnership had dissolved in 1983, Eric started working from his own workshop executing commissions and restoring antique jewellery. Next time you visit Laurier
House in Ottawa, take a look at the candelabra and ‘Freedom Caskets' given to Sir Wilfred Laurier by the cities of London and Bristol, England. Eric restored them.
With such a traditional apprenticeship background, Eric brings to you the skills no longer available at current retail levels. They give him the freedom to combine different styles of the past in a new way, yet also versatile and modern.
He has a unique talent for blending bold contemporary design with antique, vintage detail.
The Brackenburys have combined their talents to create a successful partnership. Working together has been good because they complement each other and that is reflected in their work.
They continue to develop their ideas, currently a selection of Celtic variations.
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