Many people may dream about making a living out of a talent. Most people live to regret a missed opportunity and fail to fulfil their dreams. Isabella Hart is different. The accountant has found an international stage for her jewellery and now turning 50 life has never been so exciting. The 'in-your-face' jewellery created by Isabella has already been on show at Milan Fashion Week, one of the world's big dates in every designer's diary. A year later there are other showcases that will see just how imaginative an accountant of 20 years' standing really can be when she is given time, opportunity and support. Isabella, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, with husband Ross, has discovered that life is all about grabbing opportunities and still gets a thrill from seeing her jewellery being worn by appreciative women. The designer who moved from Hong Kong to study accountancy, explains: "It is difficult sometimes to get support from parents. I enjoyed drawing and painting at school, but for my parents you couldn't get a job studying art and design. So I let my creativity lie dormant." Twenty years later a friend, unable to join a course, showed the prospectus to Isabella, who saw a way of juggling her studies with working part-time. She now shares a workshop in The Design Space in Hilton Street, in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter after successfully completing a BA in jewellery at the city's School of Jewellery. "The reason I was able to study was that I was, at that time, having my own practice. I could arrange my work around my college timetable," explains Isabella. She admits that unlike other younger students, who often have to rely on parental support, there are no restrictions facing her. "If I want to use a particular material or something else then I can buy it, which makes all the difference." The texture and contours of paper is the inspiration for much of Isabella's work. Her latest collection that features in the Flow project is called Corrugations and she hopes it will be more accessible. "A lot of my jewellery could not really be worn at work, it is for going out and very 'in your face'. I have toned this collection down and I think it will appeal to those who want to wear something different in the office." Isabella's work will just be one of the creations on show at the Brilliantly Birmingham showcases that run in venues across the city until late December. She can be contacted direct via her email: Isabella.hart@talk21.com Isabella says: "Some friends are surprised that I would give up a well-paid profession and take up a new career at this stage in life, after all I am middle aged now. But it is never too late to start anything. And also there is something money can't buy - fulfilment in life." For more details go to www.urban-fusion.info The Brilliantly Birmingham Exhibitions CENTREPIECE @ BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL An exhibition from a collective of designer makers who work in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter ROYAL BIRMINGHAM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS (RBSA) GALLERY Shimmer - showcasing work including designs from Andrew Lamb, winner of the Brilliantly Birmingham Prize SARA PREISLER GALLERY, THE CUSTARD FACTORY Sparkle - Brand new collections of works by Emma Dicks (Glacier Glass) and Sara Preisler (Ripple Jewellery Collection) BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY Treasures of Today, Silver From Goldsmiths' Hall, London 1980-2006 BMAG Contemporary Silver Show BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF JEWELLERY Flux - a Brilliantly Birmingham-curated show featuring the best new and emerging contemporary designer makers. MUSEUM OF THE JEWELLERY QUARTER Bombay To Birmingham - an exhibition of traditional Indian work from the Birmingham Museumand Art Gallery Collection, alongside contemporary pieces from Vaishali Morjaria, Rita Patel and Kirti Patel CRAFTSPACE Made in the Middle - a regional touring exhibition starting in Rugby before moving to Birmingham MAC (MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE) Designer maker fair and contemporary craft fair BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY Regional exhibition
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