My journey

The pyramids from the Mena House Hotel

I can’t remember when my obsession with Egypt began, but it was definitely at an early age. The first Egyptology book I bought was I.E.S. Edwards’, The Pyramids of Egypt, Penguin Books, Middlesex. (1952), the next, a study of the Papyrus of Ani by E.A. Wallis Budge (!which I can’t seem to find!)

My first memory of being inspired by ancient Egypt was a fashion show at college, where I dressed my best friend as an Egyptian Pharaoh. I was already hooked.

Fast forward 30 years and I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Egypt with Ancient World Tours (www.ancient.co.uk). I had been waiting for this my whole life, and it was everything I could have ever dreamed; I cried with joy and amazement at the temples, pyramids, tombs and museums (and took thousands of photos). I met some amazing people, made lots of new friends, and had the time of my life.

A couple of things happened to ignite my interest in jewellery making; I purchased a beaded necklace in Cairo which broke soon after arriving home. I took it back on my second trip to Luxor and the repair didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped. I figured I could do better, so bravely cut the string and did just that. The second thing that happened was I inherited a few pieces of jewellery from my beloved aunt - nearly all of it I wouldn’t wear myself. I set about repurposing some of it; carving an ankh from a piece of lapis lazuli and including some of the beads in beaded cuffs. Carving the lapis sparked the flame of making my own Egyptian-inspired pieces.

Initially I booked some silversmith courses with a local jewellery teacher. I found the amazing Joanne Tinley (www.joannetinleyjewellery.com) who has taught me everything I know. Thanks Jo!

I progressed to the stage very quickly where I could not make anything else for myself or family and friends, and I think I was boring them silly with all my Egypt and jewellery talk! I created my Facebook page - somewhere I could share my creative milestones, my successes and failures, and maybe, just maybe, people might like them. The socials are going well and everyone has been so supportive and encouraging.

From a Facebook page to this… the organic process of making pieces available to sell.

Now I’m here, loving making jewellery, engaging with like-minded Egyptophiles and jewellers and learning every day.

Thank you to all my friends and family and also to Joanne Backhouse of Liverpool University and Chairman of the Wirral Ancient Egypt Society and Lucia Gahlin on behalf of the Kemet Klub for their excellent Egyptian Jewellery courses - inspirational!

See the Gallery for photos that have inspired me, other projects and work-in-progress.