Inspiration

I am mesmerised by the natural world, the more rugged and unpopulated the better. My inspirations come mainly from experiences I have had and places I have visited. The idea of lost items dropped in a woodland and nature slowly enveloping them was a starting point for my woodland peculiarities collection, combining velvet and textiles with pieces made from precious metals and gemstones. My growing passion for toadstools started with my friend introducing me to the work of the incredible textile artist Mr Finch and is now evident throughout most of my work. I enjoy taking photographs of toadstools I discover on my adventures with my family and these become my inspiration for future pieces.

My study of toadstools has developed to incorporate more of the woodland into my designs. This has included the idea of young fern leaves unfurling and spreading their tendrils, flowers bursting into colour across the seasons and the crunch of fallen leaves, beech nuts and conkers in the autumn months. My next challenges include the development of a sparkling gemstone beetle to be worn as a statement brooch. I have always been nervous around large beetles, but a visit to the Natural History Museum with my kids allowed me to study them upclose and I was amazed by the intricacies of their wings and the patterns on their backs.