My Story
IN THE BEGINNING
Jewellery and beads have been a passion for me since I was a child. From an old tin of jewellery, beads and buttons given to me by my Nan, I continued to feed my hobby with trips to bead stores, searching junk shops for old jewellery and making my own jewellery to sell at craft fairs.
Luckily for me, my childhood hobby turned into my profession, and I have been in the jewellery industry for over 30 years since graduating from the prestigious Central St Martins college of Art in London, with a BA Hons in Jewellery Design.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Learning my trade in commercial retail environments, I have designed for most of the UK high street fine jewellery retailers and, also with my love of fashion and colour, have worked alongside the buying and design teams of most of the UK’s clothing stores too.
In recent years, I have been working as a freelance designer in Jewellery and graphic design, plus focusing on branding and social media for Jewellery brands.
BEING CREATIVE
I have been in a lucky position that designing and making jewellery has never seemed like a job. I have designed for many people and brands over the years and not once have I felt like it was hard work!
Being creative is such a part of me and my wellbeing - whether it is designing on screen, sat at my workbench or creating samples for a new workshop.
To be able to express yourself through designing and making something and being creative, I feel gives such pleasure and helps to focus the mind on the task in front of you.
The benefits of doing craft activities is far reaching to a persons well being, especially in a group setting - which is one of the key reasons for the new workshops I have been running.
INFLUENCES & INSPIRATION
I find inspiration everywhere, from the flowers in my garden, a ceramic tile on an old building through to decoration on a food label or pebbles on the beach. I love colour hence my obsession with beads and I am drawn to anything that has pattern on it - a running joke in my family, as I will often be found taking a quick photo of some random item that has a fab intricate design on it!
My desire to pass on my own skills to others was influenced by my lovely Mum, who sadly passed away in July 2024. She started out as an Occupational therapist, but then followed her own creative passion - embroidery and taught many regular classes and workshops for the rest of her working life.
LOVES OF MY LIFE
I live and work from my studio in a small village in North Essex. Normally, I share my work space with my dogs, Billy (a westie) and Molly (a Miniature Schnauzer) and on occasion my husband Paul and 2 beautiful daughters, Emily and Alice.
Outside of the world of jewellery and craft, dancing is my other passion - being physical and getting out of the studio seems to enhance my creativity and of course, gives me the social interaction I need!
Family is everything to me and like nothing better than have everyone round the dining table - eating, drinking and playing very silly games!