Cork - the inspiration

I have been inspired by cork city, its buildings, views and stories from its people. Lots of people leave their home of Ireland, emigrating far across the globe. I myself am from Scotland. You find connection with pieces inspired by familiar places. Places that hold stories for you. Memories and times of your youth.

I wanted to create handmade jewellery that hold these connections that people can gift to loved ones reminding them of their own stories.

So where did I start. It had to be with that big fish. One stormy day when the sky was grey and thundery. I saw this big gold fish in the sky, illuminated by the sun hitting off it. I've been kinda captivated by it ever since. Always looking for it when I'm in the city centre. Seeing which way it was facing. Then I learned stories from a friend who worked making shoes up Shandon and the sat on the steps of the tower eating their lunch.

Where else has a big Goldie fish? It's pure Cork.

For a few years this idea to make fish jewellery has sat with me and never left. It was time to make my ideas become a reality.

And so I did...

To get back into making the first piece I created I made for me. I was absorbed into the world of silversmithing. Time flew and creativity flowed.

I created my first few pieces to sell at Benchspace 1st Christmas Market in 2023. I created the event and thought it was only fitting to produce some work to sell.