Charlotte Newton IT'S not every day that you step inside a Crouch End shop and find a handwritten note from Uma Thurman. But the American star of hit films Dangerous Liaisons, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill found time in her busy schedule to pen a few lines t

Charlotte Newton

IT'S not every day that you step inside a Crouch End shop and find a handwritten note from Uma Thurman.

But the American star of hit films Dangerous Liaisons, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill found time in her busy schedule to pen a few lines to Steve and Hen Lomas.

The couple, who own Lomas Contemporary Jewellery Gallery in Broadway Parade, made her a pair of earrings for a BBC drama which she was starring in.

Judging by her note, she liked the earrings so much that she has barely taken them off.

But it is not just Hollywood stars who have taken a liking to the couple's intricate and original designs.

Teacher Melanie Mortimer, 48, also approves of the hand crafted rings, necklaces, and bracelets on display. Up to 50 designers from all over the world exhibit their work in the glass cases at any time.

"I've known Hen since our kids were at Rokesly Junior School together and she knows what I like and what suits me," she told the Broadway.

"I'm a former architect so design is important to me. I strongly believe the work they exhibit here in Crouch End is more interesting than the jewellery collection at the V&A and the Arts Council," she said.

Hen and Steve met as undergraduates at the prestigious Central St Martins School of Art in the 1980s when they were both undergraduates on a jewellery degree course.

They set up their bespoke business and workshop in Broadway Parade four years ago, and have been providing beautiful handmade jewellery for clients ever since.

After recently expanding their workshop at the back of the store they can now repair and alter jewellery as well as making customers' personal designs.

One of their most popular commissions is to make unique engagement and wedding rings for couples.

Steve, 41, explained: "The challenge of making engagement and wedding rings is to create something which is functional and easy to wear but which looks original and different.

"I've made rings for couples who wanted a simple looking ring on the outside but then they wanted diamonds hidden inside."

Although Hen and Steve have been together for two decades and have three children, a house, camper van and business together - they only decided to tie the knot three years ago.

"We had our wedding reception in the Royal British Legion up the road and made each other's rings," said Hen, flashing a beautiful raised ruby, set in gold.

The prices of pieces on sale vary from �10 for acyclic earrings and �70 to �200 upwards for handmade gold and silver items.

To see the designs visit www.lomasjewellery.co.uk.