Mel Berman — Pewter & Mixed Media Artist
Founder of Metallix Studio | Workshop Facilitator | Creative Explorer

I’ve always been a creative soul—constantly exploring new crafts and mediums. For years, I jumped from one art form to another… until I discovered the magic of metal embossing.

During a visit to Cape Town, my home town in South Africa, I joined a friend at a pewter embossing workshop, and I was instantly hooked! Pewter's unique ability to capture light and shadow, along with its incredible malleability, opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities for me. With just a few simple tools, this versatile metal can be engraved, shaped, and used to embellish almost any surface—from journal covers to jewellery boxes and mirror frames.

After being made redundant from my day job, I took a leap and founded Metallix—my dream studio where I create, experiment, and teach. I now spend my days working with pewter, copper, aluminium, metal tape, coloured foils, waxes, inks, wire, and even free machine embroidery to create richly layered mixed media art. I love pushing boundaries and combining textures to bring depth and personality to each piece.

My inspiration comes from the natural world and my African heritage—memories of landscapes, architecture, and travels that continue to spark my imagination. I work on a variety of projects, from small decorative pieces to commissioned large-scale artworks

I also teach beginner-friendly workshops at my studio in The Old Print Works in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, and travel to host sessions at craft centres, coffee shops, and even living rooms. Whether you're making a stunning notebook, a keepsake box, or festive ornaments, my workshops are all about having fun, learning new techniques, and walking away with something uniquely handmade.