Handmade with love

Some good news to brighten up these unexpected snowy days! A large selection of the Lost Forest collection is now on sale in my new Etsy store. You can choose your favourite sparkly jewel by clicking here. All of these items will not be made again, so it's you're very last chance to purchase a unique piece of botanical art. I also have a small selection still available on my main website here. These pieces will also not be created again after they have sold. 

Thank you to everyone so far this year who has purchased a Lost Forest piece. Supporting small business is vital for them to survive in an increasingly manufactured 'fast fashion' world. Every sale, every recommendation and share on social media is the lifeblood to a handmade business, and will allow the artist to continue to produce their craft. 

'The Floral Queen'

A new addition to the Lost Forest collection is this beautiful handcrafted necklace 'The Floral Queen', which is influenced by my original 'Bouquet for Anne' earrings. 

The necklace is inspired by the Victorian's love of the Language of Flowers. The Victorian's communicated with clandestine lovers or friends using their own secret language in the form of floral brooches, necklaces and earrings. Each flower was imbued with a hidden message and meaning, symbolic of love, desire or mourning. Queen Anne's Lace was emblematic of sanctuary. Its delicate sprays of ivory toned blooms evoke a miniature birds nest, offering protection and safety.

This pretty necklace is an ode to these long lost traditions. A fragile bouquet of Queen Anne's Lace is adorned on top of a lustrous layer of onyx black. Speckles of shimmering 24k gold dust dance around the blooms. The pendant has been sealed with a thick glossy layer of crystal clear pine resin. The overall look is one of ethereal beauty with a story to be told to those who wonder. The delightful botanical scene is embraced by a handmade  24k gold plated ring, which creates a glamorous and unique look. This necklace would be the perfect accessory for a summer garden party, wedding or as a gift for your bridesmaids. Available in limited amounts now here.

Images and designs are copyright © Lost Forest Jewellery 2018. All rights reserved.

The Summer Tea Party Collection

I created The Summer Tea Party collection in 2016 as an ode to my long lasting admiration for vintage china tea sets. My grannies on both sides of the family collected tea sets, adorned with exquisitely painted botanicals and exuberantly stylised birds and flourishes. Each piece in The Tea Party Collection echoes the tradition and beauty of these cherished heirlooms; bringing real elements of nature into the design, and once again creating a new handcrafted memento to be loved and worn by you and generations to follow. Every pine resin pebble is named after a specific freshly brewed tea; from Early Grey, to Darjeeling Exotic.

A handful of these special edition treasures are currently available now.

Images and designs are copyright © Lost Forest Jewellery 2018. All rights reserved.

Lost Forest Sale & Christmas Wishes

As a thank you to those who support my little business, I have launched a huge sale in store! Most items are heavily discounted. The majority are one-of-a-kind pieces, and once they're gone, they will be gone for good. If you have had your eye on a particular treasure, please don't wait. You can browse and purchase the collection here.

Lost Forest will remain open for business over the Christmas holidays, and any sales from the 21st of December will be shipped from January 3rd when postal deliveries will resume as normal once again. 

The current Lost Forest collection will not be made again, as I will be embarking on a new chapter in Lost Forest's story in 2018. As an artist who thrives on original concepts, it's imperative that I challenge myself and keep learning new skills and delving further into my imagination for unique ideas. I have an exciting new vision for my business, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with those who will continue to support and love what I do. It is my loyal customers who allow me to do what I am most passionate about in life; without you, my dream would never be able to prosper and evolve. A simple 'thank you' never seems enough!

Finally, I'd like to finally wish all of you a very happy and sparkly Christmas and a wonderful New Year full of hope, promise and new adventures! - Gillian x 

Crystal statement necklace

Time for another custom piece I worked on during the spring. I was asked by a new bride to create a magnificent statement necklace with vanda orchids from her wedding bouquet. She wanted the orchids to be juxtaposed next to a woodland scene with lichen and Irish moss; creating a contrasting purple and green colour palette. She chose large amethyst crystals I had in my collection to create a prominent piece that would sit along the neckline. We worked together on creating a very unique piece of wearable art over the course of a month.

My design board below shows some of the 'brainstorming' process I undertake for custom orders; filled with test casts, sketches and notes. This helps as a visual aid for the customer, and also for myself; refining little details and solving technical challenges. Any changes can also be made at this stage, as once the resin is poured, there's no going back! The result was a really stunning bespoke piece of jewellery that is endlessly intriguing and glamorous.

Getting ready for Gifted

The Lost Forest studio is buzzing in anticipation for this years big craft fair- Gifted, at the RDS, Dublin. There's only two weeks left before kick-off day on Friday the 8th of December. Billie and I are currently busy boxing, stamping, wrapping and organising lots of treasures, and building props (she's not so good at that part of the process). 

Here's a selection of photos from last years show, which saw my debut at the largest event I've participated in so far. Hopefully this year should be bigger and better than ever. My new stand will be a little different than before; a more streamlined version to make assembly easier, and a few tweaks to the arrangement. However, the stars of the show; my upcycled farm tables will be back!

You can still buy tickets for the event here. I'll be at Stand C20 Friday 8th- Sunday 10th. It should be a great show, and is always a cosy 'Christmassy' event perfect for all the family. I'll have a blog post after the fair to show the new and improved Lost Forest miniature shop. For now, it's back to work and I'll continue trying to teach Billie how to use a hammer. Having no thumbs is not a valid excuse, it it?! 

An Irish sorrel woodland

The woodlands are currently blanketed with a rich emerald tapestry of woodland sorrel or Oxalis acetosella. It is often known as 'woodland shamrock' due to its close resemblance to its miniature counterpart. This ubiquitous plant is a common sight in Irish woodlands. During the months of April - June, a tiny and delicate flower blooms, and resembles fallen confetti on the forest floor. A truly beautiful sight to behold. Mother Nature has lovingly decorated the alabaster petals with elegant purple pinstripes, and a buttery golden yellow centre. The green heart-shaped leaves are trifoliate, and charmingly fold up towards the sun in late afternoon, as if taking a much deserved midday break. I also love how the morning dewdrops linger on the leaves, and sparkle under the sun like tiny fallen crystals.

I collected and preserved a handful of the flowers during spring, and the result is this beautiful one-of-a-kind eco resin necklace- 'Sorrel Woodland'.

The ethereal beauty of the woodlands is forever captured within the pendant. This handcrafted eco resin globe has encapsulated real wood sorrel flowers and woodland ferns. The delicate sorrel petals are beautifully decorated with thin purple pinstripes; their fragile details showcased wonderfully in crystal clear resin. The sorrel and ferns were discovered at the base of an old oak tree in the Dublin mountains. I preserved them within this pendant as an ode to their enduring friendship that prevailed in the woods over the years. The ferns embrace the scene and are accompanied by a dusting of 24k gold leaf to create a stunning and one of a kind botanical pendant.

The globe hangs from an 14k gold filled jump ring and a high quality 14k gold filled 19" chain. You will become the guardian of a unique piece of botanical art. Only one available now here.

Lost Forest newsletter

The latest Lost Forest newsletter will be sent out on the 25th of October. This issue will be bumper packed with important information regarding the busy Christmas season; including postal times, and details of Lost Forest Christmas fairs. I'll also be showcasing some new products, and I'll also have some very special news to share with my lovely and loyal followers. You can sign up now at the following link.

Buttercup crystal

Today we witness the return of the Buttercup Crystal necklace in store. My original design of a double terminated eco resin crystal with a botanical surprise is a beautiful statement piece of jewellery. I have one in my own personal collection (perks of the job) and it's my go to necklace as yellow and gold is a colour that brightens up any outfit and any time of the year. There's only one available now in store here. You can read more about this beauty below.

The wild beauty of an Irish summer meadow has been lovingly encased within a beautiful quartz crystal pendant. The crystal has been meticulously created using natural pine resin, formed in a mold I made of an authentic double terminated quartz. The natural resin is wonderfully clear due to the highly refined techniques I use, and showcases the inclusions in all their intricate detail.

A single real buttercup is eternally suspended within the resin. The buttercup was picked from a wildflower meadow and preserved over several weeks to retain its beautiful colour and tiny details. Swirls of buttery yellow dye have been carefully threaded through the resin by hand. They subtly embrace the elegant bloom and magically glow when the daylight passes through the crystal. Glittering speckles of 24k gold leaf have been hand gilded onto the base of the crystal to add another touch of glamour to this stunning piece.

The sharp facets of the crystal point create a bewitching prism effect. A spectrum of colours bounce off its contours to create miniature rainbows trapped inside, further emphasising its intriguing beauty.

The resin quartz has been fed onto a handmade high quality 14k gold fill chain in a 20" length. Only one has been made and is a completely unique piece of art for you to enjoy for many years.

It's a small world after all

The Lost Forest collection just got a little boost today with these new Looking Glass pendants. My tiny mushroom worlds are inspired by my original and award nominated piece 'The Magical Mottlegill Mushroom' necklace. Since then, I've had a lot of fun creating variations of that design.

I love conjuring up miniature natural worlds using foraged finds from my local woodlands. The main focus in every pendant are tiny mushrooms, which I've collected and preserved over several weeks. Their spindly whimsical forms are reminiscent of tiny forest gnomes hiding amongst a lush blanket of moss. Each inclusion has been handpicked from the same location in the forest to ensure that the natural symbiotic relationship of the finds continue on together in their next adventure; sparkling eco resin jewels. 

The first looking glass, 'The Woodland of the Elfin Wishes'  features a secret little wonderland; inhabited by diminutive elves who flutter amongst the fallen autumn leaves strewn upon the forest floor. Tiny real Mottlegill mushrooms spring up from a layer of Irish moss. Sprigs of delicate purple tipped Elfin herb embrace the bewitching scene. A secret hidden dandelion seed sits beneath the cap of a mushroom, offering a hint of luck to the wearer of this beautiful piece. Glittering 24k gold leaf speckles float in the clear resin to create an added touch of intrigue.

The second pendant, 'Dream in the Floral Forest'  features a beautiful floral forest; settled by mischievous flower faeries who flutter through the enchanted woods. Delicate real Mottlegill mushrooms spring up from knotted tendrils of real Irish moss. Elongated vines of pale blue water Forget-me-not dance within the celestial scene. Vibrant yellow buttercups are caught in an eternal breeze; their fragile beauty captured forever. Shimmering speckles of 24k gold leaf dance within the clear resin to create an added touch of glamour.

Wish upon a dandelion

'Wish upon a raindrop' is the latest eco resin treasure in the Lost Forest collection. It's inspired by dazzling raindrops that have fallen upon the leafy forest floor. The delicate raindrop holds a bewitching surprise; tiny real dandelion seeds. They gently dance within the crystal clear eco resin, their fragile beauty captured forever in a timelessly elegant piece. A magical dusting of 24k gold leaf swirls around the seeds, glittering with every movement you make. 

This piece is beautifully timeless and wearable, and is now my firm favourite for my everyday wear. It adds a wonderful touch of glamour to any outfit, and always catches people's eye. To complete the look, my 'Make a wish' drop earrings are an ideal accompaniment.

Dandelion's hold such a poignant and hopeful message for many people.  Their ethereal ghostly structure has always fascinated me, and from the very beginnings of my resin making journey, I love to capture them in their simplest form. This necklace seems to be the perfect way to remind you everyday to keep hope alive and always strive forward.

Last days of summer

A much loved piece from the Lost Forest collection has returned to store: 'Along the Sunbeam Meadow'. This piece is inspired by my walks through the grasslands of my local park. The tall willowy grasses gently swaying in the summer breeze, and the warm amber glow of the sun beams create a truly enchanting scene. It always stops me in my tracks, and I like to take a mental note of each and every detail before me. This particular piece has encapsulated this little part of my world, and captured its essence in a miniature landscape. You can read more about it below and purchase your very own here.

A beautiful one-of-a-kind piece of botanical art, made just for you to treasure and wear close to your heart. The bottle pendant was skilfully cast by myself using a handmade mold of a vintage Chanel No.5 perfume bottle. The pendant was then constructed in natural eco resin using my advanced casting technique to ensure a premium crystal clear finish. 

Within the lightweight bottle is an eternal scene of summer; a miniature Irish meadow has been preserved forever in time. Real sprigs of honeyed wild grass, tiny daisies and elegant stems of yellow toned gypsophila inhabit the tiny world. A sprinkling of 24k gold leaf echoes the fading sparkle of the evening sun across the breath of the meadow. 

The intriguing necklace allows you to carry your own microcosm of an Irish summer wherever you may be in the world.

Lost Forest Fern Earrings

Brand new in store are these beautifully elegant eco resin earrings, which have trapped and preserved real forest ferns. The tiny delicate ferns were collected by me within the magical and enchanted Irish woodlands. I carefully pressed their fragile beauty over several weeks, and then skilfully encapsulated them into crystal clear eco resin oval drops. They are inspired by lingering sparkling rain drops clinging to the branch tips in the woods. Each droplet holding a tiny treasure and the essence of the Lost Forest. 

The base of each drop has been hand gilded with fragmented 24k gold leaf in my signature style, and adds another touch of glamour to these statement earrings. You will now be able to carry a little portion of Ireland with you wherever you may wander. Available now here.

Bee Brave

When I first set up my business I chose the symbol of the bee to bestow upon Lost Forest; my new adventure and passion. It represents a wealth of attributes that I endeavour to meet with my little business; industrious, dedicated, brave, and an unwavering commitment to fine craftsmanship, seen in the endless complex and beautiful honeycomb structures they construct. 

Today, while picking flowers in the garden I came across one such determined bumble bee, and I was reminded that although running my own business is an arduous and often daunting task, it fills my life with purpose, happiness and the determination to 'bee' the best in what I do. We could all learn a thing or two from such a charming little creature.