JEAN Smith had been a keen knitter all her life until five years ago, but, when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she had to give up her favourite hobby.

This was a huge blow to Jean, who like many thousands of people diagnosed each year with rheumatoid arthritis, hypermobility syndrome and other such debilitating conditions and illnesses, was left disabled and frustrated, not able to carry on with her day-to-day life as she had known it.

Yet help is available for those who suffer from such conditions, with devices and appliances available to help support enflamed, malformed and hyperextended joints and digits.

Unfortunately, according to Nik Stanbury, co-director of York School of Jewellery and the recently-formed The Beautiful Splint Company, whose offices are based in West Heslerton, the appliances issued by hospitals are ugly, and as a consequence, people are often concious of wearing them.

“From a design perspective, they fail, as they look awful, being fashioned out of horrible pink plastic,” he said.

“This plastic is also expensive, not to mention hospital time, facilities and occupational therapists, as these appliances often only last about two months.”

Nik went into jewellery-making after studying foundation art and design at Cardiff College of Art and a degree in 3D design in furniture making and silversmithing at Middlesex Polytechnic, before doing a PhD at the Victoria & Albert Museum in Japanese shakudo and shibuichi. After that he taught at a variety of places, including the British Museum, the V&A and Oxford and Cambridge universities.

The idea to make silver alternatives to these appliances was first put to Nik 25 years ago by a friend, but, he says, then wasn’t the right time to do it.

But now Nik, along with Naomi Holman, co-director of The Beautiful Splint Company, has come up with a viable solution, that is not only cost-effective, but also looks so much more attractive.

Having consulted with Winchester-based specialist occcupational therapist, Christina McLeod, and Elaine Juzl, of NES Hand Therapy in London, Nik came up with an idea for bespoke silver rings and wrist splints that not only support, but also look like unusual and attractive pieces of jewellery instead of medical appliances.

“I firmly believe in these products,” enthuses Nik.

“The rings and wrist splints, once made, should last for life, or until a prescription changes.”

Nik and Naomi set up The Beautiful Splint Company, which is registered with the Medical Appliances Agency, six months ago though, said Nik, it was a long time coming, and he has been making the rings for two years.

The concept behind it is an unusual one, as Nik describes: “The Beautiful Splint Company is a Community Interest Company (CIC), which sits somewhere between a charity and a limited company, set up specifically to make splinting for hypermobility syndrome, rheumatoid arhritis and any related problems, bad breaks in fingers and to stop hyperextending, and our aim is to put ourselves out of business.”

Put simply, this means that they make the appliances at cost and do not make any money from it. At the moment, they are dealing with Leeds and Scarborough hospitals, and are in discussions with York Hospital, and also others on the continent, about the benefits of products they make to patients. They then want to teach occupational therapists how to make the splints and rings, which, he said, will consequently result in The Beautiful Splint Company being put out of business.

“Basically, it’s all about passing on the skills and knowledge we have gained – we’re planning how to teach people to do it properly, and that means occupational therapists and not jewellers,” stresses Nik.

“Any profits we may have left would all go to arthritis research, if we go to the wall.”

Nik says that he could not have set up The Beautiful Splint Company without it being supported by York School of Jewellery, which he set up several years ago with his partner, Julie Moss.

As well as teaching and being occupied with The Beautiful Splint Company, Nik does commissions, including a fine gold neck piece for a former astronaut, and the Swedish government, and some of his work can soon be seen on display through the Art Connections Open Studios series at The Dawnay Arms in West Heslerton, when he and partner Julie will be displaying their work and will be on hand to have a chat with from June 11-13 and again on June 19 and 20.

“The work we do for The Beautiful Splint Company genuinely affects the quality of someone’s life which is fantastic,” said Nik.

“One lady, who has several rings, now plays the piano after 11 years. And another said that a girl had commented on her lovely jewellery.”