Lesley Messam is a jewelry designer of immense talent.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lesley and shooting her work while she and husband Keith attended the Metal Clay World Conference in Chicago last month.

Based in Chichester, England, Lesley is a Worldwide Metal Clay Master Level IV.

Her work is at once refined and whimsical.  Her craftsmanship is superb.

The image in this post includes three different necklaces in an animated slide show:

“Hidden Inside? Poison,” a textured vessel (clearly, she has a wicked sense of humor)

“Lesley’s Fantasyland” (oak leaves and house).  This necklace is made from ceramic covered metal clay, and includes Lesley’s own handmade lampwork beads.

“Remembrance” (red resin petals) honors fallen soldiers who have died for us all over the world.  Poppies signify remembrance in the UK.

Each piece has a completely different look and feel.  Each is beautiful.

You can see more of Lesley’s work at http://www.silverwithlesley.co.uk/.  And purchase her work at http://www.messams.co.uk.

I shot these three pieces in Chicago, in a portable studio with softbox lights, reflectors, a Nikon D300 camera, and a 60mm macro lens.