How it Started
I never dreamt that one day I would be creating beautiful jewellery for a living! I have always been passionate about art & crafts, and would love nothing better than hunting at markets and fairs for handmade items. However it wasn't until 2007 that I began making my own jewellery. Our daughter had moved to London & it was the perfect place to go hunting for craft exhibitions & great markets. I was blown away by the whole creative vibe!
We spent many happy days roaming around London looking for quality beads and components and we came across many little treasure troves. One in particular tucked away in a little alleyway off Hatton Garden, exactly what I was looking for and there we met the lovely Dela, owner of this great shop, whom I'm forever grateful to. She taught me various jewellery making techniques & always had new ideas and inspired me in so many ways. I loved my trips to Dela every time I was in London and of course we did some clothes & shoe shopping in the amazing street markets of Hatton Garden too.
In Dec of 2008 I fully immersed myself in making jewellery for a local craft market. Also, I volunteered as a English teacher & worked as a special needs teacher for some time.
In 2015 a new group for entrepreneurs was established locally. With all the learning and encouragement I found there, I decided to establish Jul Handcrafted Jewellery in Jan 2018
Inspiration
Inspiration is in the everyday things for me —to the people I meet, from the words I see, the music I hear, to the blooms and leaves on my morning walk in all places and spaces and also just messing around with beads & components and sometimes they just happen by accident when beads and bits end up in a mess in my work space. I love when this happens. And so, I want people to feel some of this energy when they wear my pieces.
I love working on the bespoke pieces, as the client can add their own emotional element to their piece. Perhaps they even want to make it themselves under my guidance.
All pieces are designed and made in Ireland with joy!
Annette