A lot of people at the gallery have been asking about my background and training, so I thought perhaps the same were true of my website visitors. Luckily this is easily rectified, so here is a little background in a nutshell and the objectives of why I make, sew, crimp, paint and go nuts for the handmade! 

Being creative is my passion. Since a young age I have always drawn, sketched and sculpted. After taking my A Levels, I trained in Graphic Design and later took my BA(Hons) in Textile Design. I discovered jewellery making somewhere between the two; taking a silver smithing course at a local college. From there I dabbled in bead work and learnt what I could from books and tutorials, as well as filling various sketch books with ideas and articles. I now stock nationwide to many boutiques and galleries, as well as make to order on wedding accessories and stationary.

After my degree, I embarked on a PGCE in Secondary Education and became a teacher of Food, Textiles and later Art and Photography. Teaching (in my opinion) is one of the best jobs in the world - second only to making jewellery (or being a food critic I think), so I am very lucky to be able to do both. 

I am inspired by so much - a lot of which I am not alone in; people, architecture, trends, colour and organic material. But what also fascinates me from a textile and fine art point of view, is texture, both touchable and visual. My jewellery is not about what the masses want to wear for a season, it is about a personal response to the materials I combine. Something that is classic and cannot be repeated. I mix and match textures, offset colours and juxtapose large and small beads to almost rebel against the 'safe' disposable jewellery seen in so many commercial outlets.

What the customer receives is a handmade and well designed piece, with its own unique name, charm and identity.