Jeweller who turns cutlery into jewellery Tunbridge wells

IF YOU invite Michelle Carpenter for dinner, you may find she's more interested in the cutlery than the food.

For in her expert hands, a silver spoon can become a stylish ring, a fork can take on new life as a quirky pendant and even a pair of sugar tongs can be reinvented as an elegant bracelet. However, not just any old knives and forks will do.

"I only use English hallmarked solid silver," said Michelle, 44, who lives in Princes Street, Tunbridge Wells. "That ensures that there will be no allergic reaction, which you sometimes get with nickel alloys, but also means the hallmark itself can become part of the design."

Coming from a long line of Jewish craftsmen – her family arrived in the East end of London 150 years ago – Michelle is as passionate about family history as she is about making jewellery.

"I often make pieces from objects handed down through families, and I always look up the hallmark because it means I can tell them when and where it was made, and by whom.

"That detail means a lot, because even if a little pastry fork is not a family heirloom, it's fascinating to know it would have been used at the tea table 200 years ago."

Michelle, who has two children, also retains as much of the original decoration as possible, so that a pretty silver ring made from an 1804 coffee spoon still features its delicate flower design.

"I try hard not to waste anything, either. If I use just the handle for a ring, then the bowl of a spoon can become a pendant and any offcuts are put together to make cufflinks. Really, it is the ultimate in recycling."