Land Of Iron

Jane Carpenter: coastal treasures and intricate papercut art

From sea glass collected on local beaches to intricate papercuts depicting the natural world, Staithes-based artist Jane Carpenter finds inspiration in the landscapes and coastline of North East England.

A self-taught artist and jewellery maker, Jane brings together two very different creative disciplines, both influenced by the natural environment surrounding Staithes.

A selection of Jane's work is available in the Land of Iron shop, and Jane is one of six local artists among the 14 Brigantia artists taking part in the Brigantia Art and Crafts Christmas Fair at Land of Iron this December.

From beach finds to handmade jewellery

The beaches of the North East coast provide both inspiration and materials for Jane's jewellery.

Sea glass, naturally shaped and smoothed by the movement of the sea, offers a variety of colours, textures and forms. Each piece has its own individual character, making it a distinctive starting point for a piece of jewellery.

Jane collects sea glass from local beaches, transforming these coastal finds into handmade jewellery, including pendants on sterling silver chains.

From soft, frosted shades to deeper greens, the natural colours and shapes of the glass are central to the finished pieces.

The resulting jewellery offers a small but tangible connection to the coastline that inspires Jane's work.

Capturing nature through papercut art

Jane's interest in the natural world also finds expression through intricate papercut artwork.

Inspired by the landscape and nature surrounding Staithes, these designs capture the shapes, patterns and details found in the local environment.

In one example, a network of carefully defined branches creates an intricate woodland scene, with the silhouette of a bird in flight visible among the trees.

The contrast between light and dark, alongside the delicate detail of the designs, creates a very different artistic interpretation of the natural world from Jane's sea glass jewellery.

Discover Jane's work at Land of Iron

A selection of Jane's work is available to purchase in the Land of Iron shop.

As each piece is individually made, the items available may differ from those pictured in this article.

Jane joins a growing number of local artists and makers whose work is available at Land of Iron, reflecting the wealth of creative talent found across East Cleveland and the North Yorkshire coast.

By showcasing work inspired by our surrounding communities and landscapes, Land of Iron hopes to introduce local artists to new audiences while celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of our region.

Jane Carpenter at the Brigantia Christmas Fair, Land of Iron

Jane is a member of Brigantia, a collective bringing together artists, craftspeople and designers, working across a wide range of traditional and contemporary creative disciplines.

This December, Jane will join five other local artists and eight artists from further afield for the Brigantia Art and Crafts Christmas Fair at Land of Iron.

Taking place from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 December 2026, the ten-day fair offers visitors an opportunity to discover handmade jewellery, textiles, pottery, paintings and other artwork from 14 Brigantia artists and makers.

The Christmas Fair is open daily from 10am to 4pm, with free admission to the fair. Normal admission charges apply to museum visits and tours.

Meet the local Brigantia artists

Among the 14 artists taking part in this year's Christmas Fair at Land of Iron are six local artists and makers. Discover more about their work:

Our local artists

Artists from further afield

Contact Jane Carpenter

For enquiries about Jane's jewellery and artwork, contact the artist directly:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07807 414102

Land of Iron’s programme of events and activities is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.