Testimonials
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The Gift Of Life
"When my mother died, I wanted to have a precious piece of silver in her memory – it would be my “treasure”. I had read articles, seen photos and then finally seen Theresa’s work at Goldsmiths' Hall. I particularly loved the pieces she created for The Surveyors’ Club and the Clothworkers’ Company, and knew a visit to her workshop was a must. The leaves in her designs almost come alive with sensuous movement. Theresa has created “The Gift of Life” in exactly the way I hoped, even incorporating my suggestion of melting down my mother’s gold wedding ring to be a small but significant part of the design. The resulting piece is just wonderful and will be a “treasure” for many to admire and enjoy".
J. Belcham
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A Quiver Full
“Our family very much enjoyed working with Theresa through the design process and visited her studio during the making of the pieces. The experience was educational and rewarding.
The outcome is stunning and functional”
The Watson family
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Rosie
"I was looking for a gift for my one year old grand-daughter to receive when she is eighteen. It had to be something which will keep its value and which she will learn to cherish for its beauty, so the natural thing for a girl called Rosie was for me to commission a silver rose. Theresa was my choice of artist as I am a great admirer of her work, and so we discussed the project together, and the resulting wild rose design surpassed my expectations. And now Rosie's lucky parents can enjoy the piece for the next seventeen years!"
C. Imber
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Early spring
“This goblet was the third piece that Derek and I had commissioned from Theresa as a wedding gift. Theresa took the time to visit us on several occasions and also to meet with the father of the bride-to-be to gather information and inspiration, while still keeping the purpose confidential.
My husband survived only to know what the proposed piece was going to be but he knew that Theresa would, as always capture in silver the very special meaning behind the gift. The finished piece was stunning, embodying the spirit of burgeoning and ever-blossoming love”.
R. Birch
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Con brio
“Theresa's presentation to the P&O Makower Trust's commissioning panel in Cardiff in 2009 was breathtaking, an explosion of new ideas inspired by leaves, petals and the vitality of nature. Clearly her work was set to move in dramatic and exciting new directions, and our faith in choosing her for the commission was richly rewarded by the piece that resulted. How does the cold hard metal appear so softly organic, how does the piece appear to float so weightlessly? Con Brio is a miracle of skill and inventiveness, and already a firm favourite of the National Museum's visitors”.
A. Renton
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Everlasting arms
“On seeing Theresa's piece 'Con Brio' at the Birmingham NEC and Cardiff Museum, we were delighted to meet her at Kedleston Hall where she was resident Silversmith. We later visited her workshop in the Jewellery quarter in order to commission a piece to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We decided on a leaf form, similar to the one we had seen on display. Theresa added certain individual features to the piece which on seeing both my wife and I simultaneously said 'WOW!' It is an amazing work of art and is both lovely to look at and to hold. Thank you Theresa, we will cherish it, always!”
M. Sergeant
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Der Rosenkavalier
“Having seen Theresa’s work at Goldsmiths, I thought she would be perfect to execute a commission in silver as a gift for my wife on our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
And so it proved. Theresa’s sympathetic approach ensured she understood and interpreted exactly what I was seeking in the commission. She executed her design beautifully to produce a wonderful piece of silver, which is admired by all who see it.”
R. Pilgrim
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Square to circle beaker
“I had been thinking for a while about indulging in a silver beaker and when I saw Theresa’s ‘square to circle’ beaker I knew the moment had arrived! It is both classic and yet modern, as well as being sophisticated but simultaneously understated. Added to which it feels solid, and is a pleasure to hold, drink out of and simply admire.”
A. Stücklin
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Clārus obscūrus
“I first discovered Theresa's work at Kedleston Hall. It was a very small display in a very large room, but it attracted my eye immediately, and what attracted me in particular was a silver rose petal sculpture. The moment I saw it, I knew that this is what I had been looking for as a wedding present for our daughter who was getting married later in month, something that could be cherished for years to come. It is difficult to describe what made it so irresistible: it was perhaps the combination of the elegant form of the petals and Theresa's special ability to exploit the textures of the metal. It was a real joy to present it to the couple at the reception, to the admiration of the guests. And Theresa's work is addictive, so much so that my wife and I have commissioned another silver rose as a gift for our grand-daughter.”
C. Imber
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Square to circle beaker
“I love this beaker. What first drew me to it was its surface. Polished with great sensitivity, its reflections combine with the hammer marks to produce a beautiful depth and transparency. The beaker is very round (round lip, round 'tumbler' base and round, paunchy sides). But when you hold it and turn it in the hand it briefly resolves around the base into a square, with four pointed angles that are precise but soft, quite unexpected but somehow natural. And then there is the final, almost private touch: a tiny square of pure gold let into the side, hardly visible (except when the cup is frosted by its cold contents) but a joy to discover”.
T. Schroder
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Square to circle beaker
“The cups you made for my grand-children are little miracles of design and craftsmanship. The subtlety of their form as they rise from square to circle, the way they balance on the very centre of their convex bases, their delicately hammered surfaces and the harmonious way in which you have incorporated inscriptions - all these things make them a constant source of delight to their parents and to me. And, what is more, the children like drinking out of them”.
M. Drury
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Square to circle beaker
“A well designed and beautifully produced square-to-circle beaker.
It rocks on its curved base just like an eighteenth century tumbler cup would. The most unusual lower square section intrigues users whilst providing corners, one of which neatly nestles inside the first joint of the middle finger. The curve and finish of the circular rim is exceedingly comfortable on the drinker’s lips. Users delight in admiring the liquid contents contained within the cup’s highly reflective internal finish, whilst the finely hammered exterior does not retain distracting evidence of the drinker’s finger prints.
In all, wonderful to use, admired by men and women alike and produced by Theresa on time and to the agreed cost”.
RBB
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Clārus obscūrus II
Dear Theresa,
While you were working at Kedleston Hall, I used to watch you. It was amazing to see a flat sheet of silver turning into an object of such beauty. When I first saw your display of silver sculpture I wished to own something so beautiful. As it was the year of my daughter’s silver wedding anniversary, I wanted to give her something to treasure, so I decided to buy the leaf and rose petal sculpture. She absolutely adored it. I also wanted something for myself, so now I own a leaf, it has pride of place in my home.
Thank you for being a very pleasant and talented young lady. Long may you continue.
R. Popika
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Strawberry field dish and cream jug
"Theresa's little silver jug is both solid and graceful. Its weight means that it sits well in the hand and its gently rocking base gives it life on the table and brings a smile to the face. We very much enjoy using it"
E. Gaunt
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Square to circle beaker
“I absolutely love my beaker by Theresa Nguyen. It is beautifully made, lovely to hold, and to drink from, (with plenty of room for my nose) and has been much admired by the many friends who have seen it. I once lent my beaker for a week to a friend who was deliberating about buying a piece from Theresa and I believe he consequently did buy something.
Theresa's work is very versatile. She has produced many interesting different designs all of which are beautifully made.
She is so talented and modest and I feel very lucky to know her and to own a piece by her”.
L. Leader
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Square to circle beaker
“Our first glimpse of Theresa’s beaker showed that it was a very special piece. Further inspection confirmed this. The square to circle form necessitates a special skill in both design and execution. It is perfectly balanced when cradled in the hand which enhances the pleasure of drinking the contents. Theresa is a very original and talented silversmith.”
C. Adams and R. Plant
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Square to circle beaker
"I have followed Theresa's development as a silversmith since she was a student. At the end of her postgraduate year at Bishopsland in 2008 I bought two of her "square circle beakers" as Christening mugs for my twin nieces who use them and love them dearly. Theresa has become a consummate silversmith and artist in her craft.”
R. Himsworth
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Longevity
"The Surveyors' Club are delighted with their new commission, which is a contemporary addition to their collection of decorative silver for the dining table.
We have enjoyed the 'journey' with Theresa through the whole process of the design and creation of this beautiful, new work of art. It is, we believe, a treasured heirloom in the making, and we know that it will give the members of the Club much pleasure for many generations to come.”
Mr B. Woodman on behalf of the Surveyors' Club
