'Always and forever'- memorial jewellery

This beautiful crystal was created for a wonderfully brave woman facing a tragic burden no one should ever have to experience.

Her equally courageous husband asked me to design her a special piece to honour their precious little boy. I created my signature 'rainbow crystal', a name I bestowed on it due to the tiny rainbows formed from the sharp facets of the crystal when the sun beams bounce of its contours. The pine resin crystal is an exact replica of a quartz crystal from my own personal collection. When I received the flowers an idea immediately formed in my mind as to how the design would work. I sketched the arrangement, and then made a silicone mold of the original crystal. The process to create this special piece had begun.

The resin crystal would hold blooms from her wedding bouquet. The colours of the masterwort were a little faded, so I used my colour restoration technique to rejuvenate their original plum hue. At the base of the crystal, I created a little garden of tiny pressed daisies he picked especially for his mom. I hand gilded the tip in my original style; fragmented 24k gold leaf. The delicate strands of his hair embrace the scene, creating a frame around the botanicals. I then added a plum toned watercolour swirl, which magically glows from within. Strength, beauty, hope, enduring memories and stories are eternally preserved within a bespoke piece of jewellery she can cherish close to her heart forever.

Gifted- The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair 2017

Last week Lost Forest attended 'Gifted- The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair' in Dublin's RDS. The hugely popular national event showcases the best in Irish design and craft, allowing small businesses to sell and interact with new and old customers. 

It was my second time exhibiting at the show, and I was excited to show lots of unique sparkly treasures to the world. I was also delighted to have one of my pieces chosen for the 'Selected Gifts' display with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. 'My Wild Irish Heart' was exhibited amongst other Irish designers in the main hall. A little proud moment for me!

My stand design was slightly different to the previous year, and required a re-think due to a dual entrance. On the night of set-up we were limited for time, so we created a design that we thought best utilised the space. However, the next morning (after a sleepless night of procrastinations), we decided to create a new and improved layout. The 'Lost Forest' wall was moved to partially cover one entrance, and to protect the side of the till. The two tables sat next to each other in one corner, creating a little shop space that made it easier to greet and chat with customers. I was finally happy with the end result, and my little shop was open for business.

The show was a great success, and it was so heartwarming to see the twinkle in people'e eye when their gaze encountered my work. To have the opportunity to explain my process and inspirations was also a real treat, as I'm normally hidden away in the studio for most of the year. 

After a busy show, and a very busy week in the Lost Forest shop, it's definitely time for some relaxation, movies, cuddles with Billie the furbaby and my fiancé, and of course plenty of chocolate. It's nearly Christmas after all, and calories don't count at Christmas!

A winter engagement

I always love to work on custom projects, and this piece was another highlight for me; a floral engagement ring. My client wanted to surprise her partner with a truly bespoke and whimsical ring that hold precious sentimental memories for them both. 

The handcrafted gemstone encapsulated cut flowers from their beloved garden; luminous lily petals, in vibrant purple tones and rich orange hues cast from begonia petals. Illuminated by the daylight, the stone evokes the effect of sun beams coursing through the resplendent panes of a stained glass window. Speckles of silver leaf were sprinkled into the resin to create an intriguing sparkle. 

What makes this ring even more special is the inclusion of their cherished pets. I weaved strands of cat and dog hair, which delicately embraced the petals. The effect is subtle, but on further inspection it adds a wonderful element of curiosity and sentimentality to a very unique ring. 

Christmas treasures from the Lost Forest

Christmas is just around the corner, and I'm here to help with any shopping dilemmas that may occur at this time of the year! 

Why not treat a loved one or indeed yourself to a unique treasure from the Lost Forest. You'll receive a beautiful handcrafted and one-of-a-kind eco resin jewel, gift wrapped and ready for under the tree. You will also be supporting a small business, and it can all be done from the comfort of your home. What's not to like?!

I've picked my favourite festive creations below; each glittering gem will certainly catch many admiring glances this season. Choose from a gold gilded acer leaf pendant, my unique sparkling confetti glitter earrings in a dazzling array of colours, a statement ruby floral crystal, a magical macaw quartz gilded with 24k rose gold leaf, and a matching macaw Puddle Plate to showcase your new treasure.

Which one will you choose? Final postal dates can be found here.

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.

Head for the hills of heather

September always marks the heather season for me, and I'm usually found high in the mountains searching amongst the beautiful purple haze to find the best sprigs for my botanical collection. Bell heather is my favourite type due to its rich and vibrant colour and dainty bell-shaped blooms. 

Heather thrives in dry acidic soils, and grows in profusion on moorlands and mountain sides. Over the centuries it has been used in numerous ways; from bedding, brooms, basketry to roof thatching. It's aromatic buds were also used to flavour beer and provide a sweet floral aroma to honey. For me, it is a much loved staple of my collection and is used in two core pieces; My Wild Irish Heart necklace and earrings. Both pieces capture the wild and natural beauty of the Irish landscape at this magical time of the year, and preserve the rich eternal charm of the heather forever. 

The Pixie Forest

'Through the Looking Glass' is inspired by Lewis Carroll's enchanting tale of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This stunning collection captures a window into a magical miniature world, displayed in all its tiny detail through a whimsical looking glass in the form of a crystal clear eco resin coin.'

This looking glass features a wonderful wooded wonderland; inhabited by mischievous forest faeries who flutter through the forest floor. Tiny real Mottlegill mushrooms spring up from a layer of lush moss and luminous tendrils of lichen. Sprigs of pale blue water Forget-me-not and scilla flowers dance within the celestial scene. A secret hidden shamrock rests in amongst the tendrils of moss, and offers a hint of luck to the wearer of this beautiful piece. Glittering 24k gold leaf speckles float in the clear natural resin to create an added touch of intrigue.

The wonderfully tactile coin pendant is attached to two gold toned loop bails, which hang from a beautifully sparkly and high quality handmade 14k gold filled chain in an 18" length.

This is a spellbinding piece of wearable art, perfect for those who appreciate and wonder over the beauty of nature's creations. Available now here.

Hydrangea Love

Summer isn't summer without bountiful bundles of hydrangeas lining the garden verges. There are over 75 different types of Hydrangea. Hydrangea macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea is the most common type. Within this familial group are varieties such as Mophead (Photo 2) and Lacecap (photo 1). Hydrangea have long been associated with gratitude and honesty, and despite their weighty abundance of billowy blooms, they are symbolic of remaining humble in times of prosperity.

Shunned in medicinal practices due to trace elements of cyanide in their leaves and flowers, they are solely used for decorative purposes. They are ideal for flower arranging, bouquets and ornamental gardening. They have always fascinated me, and it's my dream someday to have a garden border of every type of hydrangea I can possibly source. 

One of my very first eco resin pendants contained a single blue hydrangea flower I had pressed in a book. The elegant simplicity of the petals were showcased beautifully in the resin, and to this day I love to use them in my work. The piece below was a very early piece in my collection using a single pink hydrangea. I discovered this necklace while cleaning out my studio, nearly forgotten about, resting at the back of a drawer. It's the very last one of a batch I made a few years ago, and it is still as luminous as ever. It's currently on sale in store, and you can read more about it below:

 'Pretty in Pink' is a stunning eco resin pebble that has trapped a single vibrant pink Hydrangea flower. The delicate bloom was picked by me from my garden during the Summer months and pressed over several weeks to preserve its fragile beauty and beautiful colour. 

The flower is suspended within the organic shaped pendant and is surrounded by tiny speckles of glittering 24k gold leaf to add a subtle touch of glamour and sparkle.

This pretty handcrafted gem makes the perfect gift for any nature lover who admires the ethereal wonder of natures botanical creations.

I'll find you in the forest, garden or sea...

Three of my favourite places to be; the forest, garden or sea. All of the natural inclusions in my jewellery are picked by myself directly from these locations as I live within 15 minutes of each one (the garden a little closer of course). It's important to me to use what's found locally as it forms the essence and individuality of each piece, as well as distinguishing my work from others. 

My latest offering in store entices you to choose your favourite piece inspired by your chosen location *(with an added hidden surprise).

                                                

 The Forest

A stunning real quartz point has been carefully recreated in the form of a natural pine resin pendant. The handcrafted quartz has encapsulated real tendrils of vivid green and yellow lichen, gathered from the forest floor of the Dublin mountains. The crystal clear resin has a subtle green tint to emphasise the beautiful tones of the lichen. The tip of the crystal has been hand gilded with fragmented sterling silver leaf to add a touch of sparkle to this magical piece. A handmade 925 sterling silver chain in an 18" length is fed through the crystal to create a unique piece of wearable art.

The Garden

Carry a tiny portion of an Irish garden with you in the form of this pretty pendant featuring a real hand pressed pansy. The pansy was picked from my garden and delicately preserved over several weeks to retain its buttery yellow tone. The pansy lies within crystal clear pine resin and is accompanied by a fine scattering of 24k gold leaf flakes, which dance around the beautiful bloom. The pansy is embraced by a handmade 24k gold plated circular frame, which adds a lovely tactile element to the piece. As the light passes through the pendant, the flower glows; reminiscent of the luminescence of a stained glass window. The pendant hangs from a fine 18" 14k gold fill chain.

The Sea

All the mystical elements of the Irish sea are forever embodied in this stunning necklace. A single drop of natural pine resin contains a real little starfish, found naturally expired along the Irish shore. It is immortalised within an aqua toned sea; swirling with tendrils of real Irish moss to echo the knotted seaweed. Speckles of sterling silver leaf glisten with every movement, creating a real sense of glamour and intrigue. A handmade 925 sterling silver chain in an 18" length is fed through the drop, allowing you to wear a mermaids forgotten treasure.

Which treasure will you choose?

*each piece comes with a free special gift