A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

I spent most of my childhood in and out of my parents hairdresser salon in West London. A magical place full of all kinds of magical people. It was a hub of culture and diversity, the young and the old. It was my happy place. When I wasn’t sweeping up hair, passing rollers to my mum or washing hair, I used to love getting my own washed at every opportunity. Some of the girls that worked in the salon wore so much gold, big chunky hoop earrings and arms full  to the brim with bangles that used to jangle and chime with every head rub. It filled me with so much joy and is an early memory of the beginnings of my love for jewellery. This, alongside spending hours at a time looking through my mums  collection as a child wondering how each piece had been made. Gold and silver treasure, encrusted in tiny gems, in little soft, velvet pouches. 

 As I got older, about 19 I think, I decided I wanted to make my own jewellery and so enrolled in a local college , offering silversmithing classes. It was off Portobello Road in London near to where I lived on the vibrant Goldbourne Road.

My tutor, Jenny, was amazing and let me use tools I wasn’t supposed to as a first year student. Very quickly she was helping me to set tiny diamonds into a little gold ring that Iris, our eldest daughter still wears today.

I went on to create a small collection that I sold in my parents hairdresser salon and started to sell my work in a shop on Portobello Road.

Just a couple of years later I became pregnant with Iris and then again with Marla and again with Neave….

I put my tools and knowledge aside for quite some time as I focused everything on my very young family.

When the kids were older and we had moved to Cornwall , it was time to get my tools out and my passion back  and I’ve been making ever since.  

I have done various courses but lots of my learning has been self taught.

 I like making jewellery that I want to wear. Everyday pieces that can make you feel fabulous. I use fair-trade, recycled metal and source my stones responsibly. People and animals mean everything to me and it is a priority to make sure that no one or no animal is hurt or exploited from the materials I use and that our planet is treated with the respect it deserves. I will never use pearls or silk in my beaded necklaces.

My dad is from Cyprus and my mum is from Scotland. People tell me I am just like my mum. We look the same,  we have the same temperament but my bones belong in the Mediterranean. I love the heat, the warmth of the sun but most importantly the warmth of the people. Strangers that welcome you into their home, that feed you feasts amongst their own families. Theres nothing better than community, and sharing good food with good people. 

Thanks so much for being here. I hope you love what I make as much as I love making it.

Zara x