STUDIO: Trinkets by Moonlight

My name is Heidi and I live in Southampton, Hampshire, I am a 33 year old married mum of a crazy 3 year old little girl. Before I had my daughter I had my own business for 8 years as a Holistic Therapist specialising in Reflexology and Aromatherapy and, although I loved this at the time, once I had my daughter everything changed. As many of you know life takes on a very different perspective and having a newborn who wasn't a great sleeper (and still isn't!) I couldn't bear the thought of helping others relax when I felt like I needed a good massage myself!
 
I started making jewellery with beads etc but this just didn't seem to satisfy my creative needs so I went on a one day taster course to learn how to make a silver bracelet. I was hooked, completely and utterly hooked. Below is my most recent work.


 

I work from my workshop/spare bedroom, my husband made me a fantastic desk which I attempt to keep tidy!!

OK so the first picture I had had a bit of a tidy up and the second one shows when I am mid flow creating some jewellery.  I cannot work if it gets too messy so most days before I start working I have a good tidy!  But I thought it wouldn't be fair just to show you the tidy version!!

Trinkets By Moonlight was born one year ago. The name comes from the time I have available to spend on my jewellery making. When my little one is tucked up in bed fast asleep I can concentrate. The name is also inspired by the ever present bright moon that shines over our house, the type of moon which lights up the back garden with a real silvery glow. It even inspires some of my jewellery pieces. 

Nature is a strong inspiration for me, though certain beads or materials will spark interest and engage me. No matter where I am I always have my notebook on me so that I can quickly sketch an idea or if I find a particular leaf I want to make a mould of, I can stick it in there for safe keeping until I get home. 
 
We spend weekends in the New Forest in our caravan, and love scrambling around the woods taking moulds of leaves or ferns. I am currently experimenting with these moulds and some copper clay to introduce lovely autumnal pieces in my collection. 
 
This picture shows a few leaf moulds and a fingerprint mould that I create for my personalised fingerprint jewellery.
 
 
Whilst on holiday in the South of France this year my husband, little girl and I went on 'pirate hunts' for sea glass. There was so much just lying around on the beach and most mornings we would come back with bucket loads.
 
 
I have just bought a new drill bit so I can add these to my jewellery pieces; I love the different colours and shades and the completely different shapes add to their beauty. 


 

My jewellery pieces come from designs I have jotted in my notebook, though I often sit down and let an item evolve as I work with no firm plans as to a finished piece. I am currently working with copper, it has such a gorgeous warm wintery feel to it and such a lovely colour. I use beads which enhance the colour of it further; which is a real fun part of making jewellery putting together gorgeous beads and different coloured or textured metals that complement each other. 

For the Future I have an oak leaf mould that I am going to use to make a copper clay pendant out of and I think I am going to recreate my earrings with larger copper leaves behind them. 

I like to make jewellery which I would wear, is comfortable, pretty, feminine whilst being quirky and original. I am not a jeweller who makes pieces to please others or current trends. I believe that my jewellery is made because I love the design, the beads and the metal. Each pieces is lovingly made. 

To find out more about Heidi you can visit her blog here.

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