I remember as a child being obsessed with gemstones, on a weekend I would often ask my Step-Mum if we could go to the ‘spooky shop’, a little store tucked away off Stony Stratford high street that used to stock crystals, stones and incense.  I would spend my money on stones in a way that other children bought their weekly pick’n’mix sweets. This passion continued through my childhood, I remember my first girlfriend laughing at me when discovering a little wooden box I’d filled with different shiny things I’d found and pocketed over the years.

I thought very little of this and as life went on I continued to be interested in gemstones but my passion for music didn’t seem to allow any space to explore it.  I spent several years after university touring in a punk band, a lifestyle that to many probably seems like the antithesis of the jewellery makers life, but I think both share many similarities: self-reliance, the ‘do it yourself’ approach to learning your craft and the importance of sincerity and caring about your art. 

After several years of touring the band split up. I got a job in a school and formed a folk duo with my partner Carly.  Despite being busy I felt like I needed an interest outside of music and work.  I had been inspired by the way my friend Cherry of Rising Tides Jewellery had been able to build a successful jewellery business, making incredible jewellery and through her own hard work building a large fanbase of admirers.  After chats with her and my other incredibly talented jeweller friend Michelle from Peak Jewellery I decided I’d give it a go.