Silver linings are ok but silver coatings are even better!

I first discovered the weird and wonderful world of electroforming 20 years ago when I was employed as an outworker by a small local company to do all the prep work on seashells before they went through the silvering process. A year later I was upgraded to fulltime workshop assistant and then in 2009 I bought the whole business lock, stock and barrel. I changed the name from Silverseashells to The Silvery as I wanted to expand the range to include other organic items such as leaves, feathers and seeds. I also wanted to start offering a commissions service where people could get their own special items coated in silver and ‘The Silvery’ sounded like the place one might go to get that done!

Electroforming is essentially depositing metal onto non-metallic surfaces by electroplating. The items to be coated are made conductive with special paints that allows the metal particles to bond to them. There are many small stages to the process during the preparation stages, followed by a long time in the plating baths, at least 24 hours for something soft and fragile like a leaf or feather. They then go through a rigorous cleaning and polishing process which as well as making them beautifully shiny, also ensures they are coated in a thick enough and tough enough coating to ensure they will stand the test of time. I aim to produce the highest quality work I can whilst also keeping my prices modest. 


You can send me your own items for coating in silver, prices start at £30 for coating a small item up to around 2cm long, e.g. a child’s tooth or small seashell. I can supply items on sterling silver necklace chains in a range of lengths and styles, as well as on charm bracelets and earrings at additional costs. All items are supplied in a gift box and with a card explain that it is a silvered item. All items have an additional return postage flat rate charge of £5.00. There is usually a lead time of approximately 4 weeks on commission items.


Please email or message me with details of the item you would like coated and a photo of it, ideally next to a ruler or something that gives a sense of scale. Please include details of what you would like the finished piece to be (e.g. pendant necklace, ornament etc.) and ideal deadline for its return. I will confirm price and return timeframe and if you would like to go ahead then I will give you the address to send to. I will confirm safe arrival of your item. I then do the work and send you photos of the finished piece to make sure you are happy with it and confirm details of any add-ons like necklace chains. Once you are happy with everything you can make payment via Etsy, Bank Transfer or PayPal. 


An example of commission pricing: An oak leaf measuring 4cm long (£40) on an 18" sterling silver belcher chain (current price £10.00) would cost £55 including return postage.