Naomi creates jewellery inspired by natural forms. She embosses silver with dried leaves, leaf skeletons, flowers and grass which picks up an amazing amount of detail. The silver is complemented with touches of 18 carat gold, to create beautiful wearable jewellery.
We asked Naomi a few questions about her work. As it’s Mother’s day soon, we also found out what her ideal Mother’s day gift would be!
Describe your work in 3 words?
Bold, botanical, tactile
What inspires you?
I am inspired by making: rolling, folding, bending metal. My designs happen as I make, I am drawn to natural forms and those are always lurking in the background but it is only when I sit down with a piece of metal and start to experiment that my ideas really form.
What made you want to be a jewellery designer?
I was always making things when I was younger, sewing toys out of scraps of material, making models etc and when I was 13 a jewellery workshop opened in Lewes- the town I grew up in- and my best friend (Kathie Murphy) and I went along to ask if they were doing evening classes. We both loved it straight away and our teacher Jonathan Swan was very encouraging and enthusiastic. We had to change the policy at our school so that we could take metalwork ( hard to believe now!) Kathie and I are both still making jewellery and very grateful for that start.
If you weren’t a jewellery designer what do you think you would be?
I was quite a keen scientist at school and I love scuba diving so I think it would have to be a marine biologist- one that got to go diving of course!
What’s the most exciting piece you have ever made?
I made a locket for some ashes once, it was probably more stressful than exciting…
What tool can you not live without?
It would have to be the rolling mill- I use it to imprint all the flower and leaf textures into my silver.
What would be your ideal Mother’s day gift?
A sunny day, a nice meal with the family and no fighting! (Image below of Naomi and her 2 children)
How do you find juggling being a mum and jeweller?
It actually works brilliantly as I can mainly fit my hours around a school day, I rarely have to miss those school performances and I can make time for the holidays. It gets harder in the autumn when I am really busy but luckily my partner has a flexible job too and can take over a bit. I know that it won’t be long until they don’t want to spend much time with me, so it’s great to be able to when they still do!
If you could choose anyone to wear your jewellery, who would it be?
Susan Sarandon (left)- she’s a great actor, political activist and is still amazing at 69!
What is your favourite piece on lovedazzle?
It’s so hard to choose! I have quite a good collection of pieces from other Lovedazzle jewellers- my most recent being a pair of John Moore’s Elytra earrings. I do love Jenny Llewellyn’s graduating colour fade necklace…
lovedazzle jewellery blog 