Japan Sketchbook — What Japan taught me about minimalism, space, and quiet beauty I was lucky enough to travel to Japan earlier this year, and I’ve been carrying its quiet lessons within me ever since. Every so often my mind returns to some of the beautiful images of minimalist design and artistic expression that I encountered there. Japan has a way of asking you to notice what you usually rush past, and to experience each object as an expression of beauty in itself. I was in

With so much inexpensive, mass‑produced jewellery available today, I’ve been reflecting on what true value for money looks like — and what makes handmade jewellery worth choosing. For me, value begins long before a piece ever reaches the bench. It starts with time: the time to think, to sketch, to experiment, and to let ideas grow. Every design begins as a spark, then evolves through trial, error, and refinement until it becomes something wearable, meaningful, and uniquely mi

Sometimes I find myself heading down a creative path without quite knowing why. It’s only later, with a bit of distance, that the reason reveals itself. That’s exactly what happened with my Impression Collection — a body of work that began at the bench with a hammer in my hand and slowly unfolded into something far more personal than I expected. How a Hammer Became a Form of Expression It started simply enough. I picked up a hammer and began experimenting — striking the silve

Jewellery is a extension of who we are. It often has sentimental value, marks special occasions, holds memories or was just a piece that you were instinctively drawn to. When travelling a little extra care can ensure that you protect your treasured pieces wherever you go. Here are my thoughts based on expert advice and recent travel‑security recommendations. What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) Choosing wisely is your first layer of protection. Leave irreplaceable or high

Find the pieces that feel uniquely you!✨. The pieces we wear speak volumes about who we are, what we value, and how we want to show up in the world. Whether you’re drawn to delicate details or bold statements, your jewellery can be a mirror of your personality. So how do you find pieces that truly feel like you? Start by tuning into your natural aesthetic. Are you more minimalist or maximalist? Do you gravitate toward silver or gold, soft or angular shapes? Think about your

How many times have people come into my studio and said they are not creative? I suggest that. people need to see that creativity comes in many forms—not just painting or writing, but problem-solving, organizing, cooking, or even decorating a space. I point out examples from their daily life, like finding a clever solution to a problem, improvising a meal with random ingredients, or thinking of a thoughtful gift for someone. Many people feel they aren’t creative because they

Evie Hone: lived and had a studio in Marlay Park courtyard. The National Gallery of Ireland is hosting an exhibition titled Mainie...

Earrings are more than mere accessories; they're a statement that can either elevate or detract from your natural features. Choosing the right earrings can enhance your features and complement your face shape beautifully. Here are some tips for selecting earrings based on different face shapes: Finding your face shape is the key to selecting the best earrings that complement your unique contours. In this guide I will point you to the perfect earrings for accentuating your bea

The cultures most commonly associated with lost wax casting are ancient Greece and Rome. Their bronze statues are some of the most admired works of art in history. However, the earliest examples of lost wax casting were found in Mesopotamia, at the Varna burial site in what is now Bulgaria, and date to 6,500 years ago. (Image 1).The artifacts include beads, bracelets, and other small items. While Mesopotamia and the surrounding areas are recognised for their sophisticated met

Silver is a precious metal that has been used for jewellery, coins, and other objects for centuries. It is shiny, malleable, and durable,...

When I craft a sterling silver bangle, every detail is a choice — and every choice is yours. Every bangle is handmade, every finish...

Sometimes it’s hard to know what “Silver” means when you are buying a piece of jewellery. At Original Strands I have always used Sterling...

Different countries have slightly different rules about what silver jewellery should be hallmarked. Under Irish law all jewellery made...

Pearls are a timeless and elegant addition to any jewellery collection. In addition to their classic beauty, pearls have long been...

The Design Process. Sometimes people ask how a piece is made, and I say that a simple ring goes through about 20 processes to reach the...

The process of lost wax casting is an ancient process and archaeological records suggest that the method was first used at some point in the fourth millennium BC. Early lost-wax cast pieces, from delicate miniatures and dress pins to life-size statues, have been found all around the world, in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as in Africa and the Americas. It is a process that has been lost and found several times throughout history and while technology has fine tuned

It’s always tempting, when buying a gift to choose something you would like yourself, but this is not always the best plan! So here’s a few questions to ask yourself. 1.Think about the type of jewellery your recipient wears. Do they have a particular style. You don’t want to buy something too similar to other pieces but yet you can choose something in the wearers style. 2.When selecting earrings: *the first thing to check is does your recipient have allergies? *Does your reci

I read a really interesting article recently about how to access your creativity, a technique used by Mozart, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein and Salvador Dali, to name but a few! Just as we drift into sleep we pass through a brief period of insight and creativity called nonrapid-eye-movement sleep stage 1. If we access it deliberately we can recall our smarter insightful ideas more easily. Recent research has found that there is a creative sweet spot within the sleep onset pe

Buying a ring online can feel daunting — I get it. With so many variables to consider, from which finger you’ll wear it on (yes, even...

I believe that when we create, we are allowing unconscious processes to guide us towards something we have not been aware of before....