While working with Aer Lingus I did lots of travelling to exotic places and was always drawn to beads and precious stones, so a collection began. There was no clear plan, just a huge attraction to stones and beads. This collection gathered dust for years while I raised our family and went back to college to study Montessori education. Eventually, many years later, the time was right and I enrolled in a silversmithing course…. followed by a beading course….. followed by yet another jewellery designing course, followed by lots and lots of practice using up all those beads I had gathered. Then the visits started to the bead shops ….. spending small fortunes on tiny bags of beads while my friends were buying shoes…… furtively buying online late at night: it was becoming a very expensive hobby!
One day the light went on – if I was to continue with this hobby I was passionate about, then I would have to make it pay for itself, at the very least!! And that’s when I heard about the new Designer Mart which was starting on Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar. This in turn led to my involvement in the Cow’s Lane Designer Studio which is a collaborative of artists/makers who run the shop and sell our goods. (If you haven’t been, you need to visit – see map!))
My inspiration is difficult to define – basically it’s the shapes/colours of the semi-precious stones and silver, together with a love of the dramatic and an eye for detail, that influence my look. While others love the paintings of Frida Kahlo, it’s her bright and bold jewellery that has always attracted me and would definitely have been an early influence. I spend a lot of time working on designs and then making and remaking on my board until I’m completely happy with the look.
Alongside my bold signature range, I have a pearl collection – all freshwater pearls, mostly hand-knotted to hang well, with little modern touches like charms on silver rings, or silver focal beads. These are classics to last a lifetime.
I am committed to high standards of workmanship and good customer relations, and am registered with the Crafts Council of Ireland. I take commissions and am happy to discuss personal requirements, or to adapt any of my current range to suit personal tastes
