Hi I’m Sian!

I am a Graphic and Web Designer, Teacher, Tool Maker, Jeweller, Editor and Author. That’s a lot of different hats! but I love it.

I’m a passionate designer who graduated in 1991 with a BA (Hons) in 3D Design and I’ve been in the creative design industry ever since. At university I specialised in metals and jewellery design in particular, with a minor study in ceramics.

Ceramics was an early passion and I spent 8 glorious years as a designer at W. Moorcroft PLC. My pieces are still widely found online and in the collections of many Moorcroft fans (under the designer name Sian Leeper). This adventure taught me how to illustrate and design patterns.

I was the Editor of a magazine called Making Jewellery for 9 years until it closed in Spring 2019. I have also authored 15+ books in the craft sector. You can find my Amazon Authors page here.

Publishing is still active in my life, I recently designed a range of Jewelry Sketchbooks for designers to sketch their dreams that are available to purchase on Amazon.

The first of my two main businesses now is designing websites as Sapphire Blue Web Design. I love helping small businesses or individual makers / sellers to get their website launched and start selling online.

My second main business is making 3D printed cutters for the metal clay community. This is my most recent adventure and I’m having a lot of fun, designing unique and professional cutters. You can find my cutter in the Shop.

Through out my career whether as a hobby or business, metal clay has been there! I simply love it.

As a member of  AMCAW (Alliance for Metal Clay Arts Worldwide) I volunteer on many teams including: Curating, Metal Clay Live (AMCAW’s virtual event), Education and as the Web & Tech Team Chair. I also built and maintain their website!

I enjoy making pieces with metal clay for pleasure and I also sell my work. I teach masterclasses at events and online.

I have a taught a range of classes for Craftcast, an online class platform. These are available as pre-recorded classes to watch at anytime. 

I taught this year at the AMCAW SINTER Event in Bradford, UK in May, 2024.

I’ll be teaching in Las Vegas in April 2025 at Glass, Craft & Bead Expo. You can find more details about that at glasscraftexpo.com.

When I’m not working, which is rare! I love walking my dog Neo (that’s him in the picture) with my husband and travelling to experience the beautiful places this world has to offer.

So that’s me! If you would like to talk to me about anything metal clay, or even about websites, contact me via email.

Metal clay

I use a lot of silver clay in my own jewellery designs and love to teach others how to use this really versatile material. I do not currently run regular classes but teach at events and private workshops. Please contact me if you would like to enquire about a private class.

Silver clay is very finely ground pure silver mixed with a non-toxic organic binder. Straight out of the packet it looks and feels like putty and has a consistency much like uncooked pastry dough. You can mould it, roll it, texture it and cut out shapes like cookie dough. When it’s completely dry, you can fire it in a kiln or with a handheld torch. The organic binder burns off and the piece becomes solid hallmarkable fine (999) silver. It’s a brilliant material for beginners who want to make silver jewellery as you don’t need to learn traditional silversmithing skills like, piercing and soldering.

I create and have published a range of children’s activity books and Jewellery Sketchbooks under the business Naisy Books.

You can find my Amazon Authors page here.