Sketchbook Reveal - Sea and Ocean Inspired Jewellery

I'm lucky enough to be taking a short sabbatical in France by the coast. I’m here with my son and Rolo my dog to spend eight weeks designing and planning what’s next for my business.

It feels daunting to shut my shop, as it’s my livelihood, but orders are still being shipped by my patient husband while I’m away, and my aim is to open the doors to the next exciting chapter for my design work and business when I get back (and improve my French)! I'm putting the last bit here to hold myself accountable.

Here I am with my friend Amanda at one of Montpellier's local beaches - Palavas-Les-Flots.

It was a tough start to our adventure as Rolo, who's normally so relaxed was a bit like a fish out of water. Thankfully we've now settled into more of a rhythm and I've been flooding my sketchbooks with ideas! During this time I've also been reflecting on how much the ocean has influenced my work over the years.

Below Rolo snoozes as a sketch. I'm designing a new special piece of remembrance jewellery while I'm in France. 

When people buy and wear my jewellery, how it feels and looks is important, but each piece also tells a story. Here I've shared some of my favourite jewellery designs inspired by the sea, ocean and its inhabitants. I make each piece to order in my Tunbridge Wells jewellery shop and you can shop my collection of jewellery inspired by the sea and shore here. 

Phish Drop Earrings and Necklace

I really enjoyed designing these Phish Drop Earrings and necklace and it was a real privilege when the Doctor Who actor Jodie Whittaker wore them to the BIFA awards. Their long, elegant shape has a sense of sensuality and movement that draws the eye. The earrings give a sense of elongating the neck and the statement necklace looks equally good worn over a high-necked top or with a lower neckline. 

Urchin Earrings and Necklace 

It was an ambition to design an earring that follows the shape of the earlobe and my Urchin earrings seem to fit most ears perfectly. They make a statement but are lightweight and comfortable to wear. Both the earrings and statement necklace cast a flattering light onto the complection and I'm told they alway attract complements and questions. 

Diamond Octopus Ring and Cat's Eye Octopus Ring 

Diamond Octopus Ring

For me Octopuses, know for their intelligence, symbolise the mystery and depth of the ocean. In this work I wanted to capture a sense of wonder.

The bobbled texture of this ring represents the tactile pattern of an Octopus' tentacles and the glistening diamonds add intrigue and depth. 

Cat's Eye Octopus Ring 

This ring was one of 100 artist's rings selected by the Goldsmith's Fair to be exhibited at the Collect Art Fair at Somerset House this year. You can read more about it here.

Cat’s Eye Tourmaline is rare variety of tourmaline which gives off a unique reflection of light that resembles the slit eye of a cat. The technical term used by gemologists to refer to the cat’s eye effect is ‘chatoyancy’, derived from the French phrase ‘oeil de chat’, which means ‘eye of the cat’.

Turtle Jewellery Collection 

My sea shore collection is one of my largest and includes a Turtle necklace, two Turtle bracelets, Turtle cufflinks, Turtle stud earrings in two sizes, Turtle Shell Drop earrings and a Turtle ring.

The finished design has a very modern almost geometric effect but with an organic softness. The raised sections catch and reflect the light whereas the recesses stay in shadow creating a striking almost monochrome effect. Just like a turtle’s shell the back of the turtle shells are also patterned - I love playing with unusual and unexpected details.

If you'd like to see more of my sketchbook and design process take a peak here. And to discover my range of jewellery inspired by the sea and shore - take a look here.