Stephen Bottomley’s use of the computer for jewellery design is based mainly in the creation of two-dimensional, low-relief patterns and surface textures, mostly abstracted from things seen such as silk fabric or landscape features but also derived from portraits of individuals.

These images some from photographs, some from his own computer drawings  are translated into photo-tools which are developed onto precious metals for chemical etching. Although much of his initial research concentrated on decorative surfaces, he now also uses the map-like images as templates.  For instance, his ‘ruff’ necklaces (1998-99) are made up of assembled units, derived from cut and folded sheets of metal, for which the template, marked for scoring and cutting, has been drawn digitally.

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Title: Ruff Bangle, 1998
Materials: 18ct Italian Red Gold & Japanese black pearls
Size: 70 mm Diameter
Technique: CAD applied photo-etched surface of water ripples

Frame Brooches - selected panels, 1998(Top row centre) Back view of frame brooch -18ct Italian Gold Frame Brooch
 (Top Left,Top right and Centre bottom) - 3x18ct Italian gold panels,

"Watermark" edition. Computer aided Design Photo etched texture
 (Bottom left & bottom right) Sterling Silver,  'Eye Lid', 40 x40 mm 'Crows Feet'
40 x 40 mm

Title: Silk Ruff, 1998
Materials:Sterling Silver & 18ct Red Gold
Size: 180mm Diameter
Technique: Photo etched CAD Design using the Texture of Silk from an Electron Microscope picture

Title: Ruff Neckpiece, 1998
Materials:Sterling Silver
Size: 220mm Diameter
Technique: Photo-etched CAD Design using the Texture of Lead Oxide from an Electron Microscope picture