An Edwardian woodland

One of my favourite pieces I recently made is the 'Pixie Potion Bottle'. I wanted to create something that no one could copy (unfortunately something I have to encounter a lot with my work). I scoured antique shops to find the ideal petite bottle for the project. I discovered the perfect one in the form of an original Edwardian cut glass perfume bottle. A complete one-of-a-kind find is always an exciting thrill. 

After making a mold from the original glass bottle, I was able to cast a crystal clear eco resin replica.The dainty bottle retains its beautiful detailing from the sharp facets of the topper to the natural curved contours of its body, and slightly mottled patina from the original hand blown glass. There is a wonderful sense of history exuding from this piece, and it is made all the more magical with its natural inclusions.

Eternally embedded within are luminous tendrils of real Irish lichen and moss in vibrant shades of green and yellows. The spectrum of the Irish woodlands is contained forever within. The very essence of Ireland can now be worn with you wherever you wander in the world with your own pixie potion bottle.

Each bottle is lovingly handmade by myself, taking several hours every day over the course of two weeks to complete. The bottle hangs from a 14k gold filled bail which is attached to a 14k gold filled jump ring and a 14k gold filled chain, in a 19" inch length. There's a limited number currently in store here.

Woodland dewdrop earrings

My Woodland Dewdrop earrings have been a signature item in the Lost Forest collection since I started in 2012. The very first pair I made (first photo) was inspired by glistening morning dewdrops resting on petals and leaves. The effect has always intrigued me. It was as if Mother Nature had scattered twinkling diamonds across the forests and gardens; their alluring beauty revealed in the early morning sunshine. 

I wanted to create a tangible piece of wearable art that would evoke that magical effect. I handcrafted tiny resin globe studs, made from crystal clear eco resin using my specialist technique that resembles glass in its clarity. I added chunky shards of 24k gold leaf, which display a glamorous sparkle with every movement. 

The result is beautiful and timeless, and they have become a top selling item in the Lost Forest collection. Even the name; 'Woodland Dewdrops' is an original title I bestowed on these pieces. Unfortunately, as with a lot of my designs, many shops have since tried to emulate them, and their unique name. However, the quality and effect can never be successfully replicated by another. The original is always the best. 

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.

The Goddess of the Sea

The Goddess of the Sea eco resin torc is one of my favourite pieces I've made so far. A beautiful statement piece of wearable art that will certainly catch many admiring glances. They're proving a very popular choice for festive gifts, so if you're thinking of treating yourself or a loved one with this aquatic treasure, then pop on over here to claim your very own before they're all snapped up.

The torc-style necklace has preserved a portion of the tumultuous Irish sea forever in time. The glossy torc is like looking through a miniature rock pool holding beguiling treasures within its crystal clear depths. Real Irish seashells in warm tones of ochres, pinks and white and delicate starfish float within the resin. Tendrils of lush green moss meander through the shells, reminiscent of knotted seaweed.

24k gold leaf speckles sparkle throughout, echoing the piercing rays of the sun on the waters surface. A few of the shells hold a hidden surprise; tiny mermaid treasures in the form of glistening white pearls. Thus creating an endlessly intriguing piece of wearable art. This piece of bespoke jewellery allows you to carry the magic of an Irish rock pool around with you for always, as well as being a wonderful conversation piece.

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.

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.

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.

Wedding Bells & Bouquet Bangles

Over the last 5 years I've been making my 'Bouquet Bangles' and other little jewellery mementos from beautiful wedding bouquets. It was a unique idea of mine and one I continue with today, having made numerous sparkling eco resin jewels for brides all around the world. I love to work on these projects as they mark such a special moment in everyone's life.

The hours of workmanship, months of procrastination and planning that go into making a bouquet all culminate in one day of admiration and then sadly the bouquets are often thrown away or dried and stored in a box; forgotten about and left to gather dust. The bouquet bangles offer a renewed lease of life. To have a little reminder of the 'big day' and one you can also wear is all the more precious. 

If you'd like your own bouquet made into a bangle, necklace, earrings or even a paperweight or Puddle Plate, please get in touch here to discuss your project. In the meantime, you can follow my flower drying guide and read some tips here to begin your journey with me to create your very own Lost Forest treasures.

Buttercup Meadow

New to the Lost Forest collection is this beautiful one-of-a-kind necklace- 'Buttercup Meadow'. It allows you to carry a miniature wildflower meadow with you wherever you may wander. A single vibrant buttercup rests within crystal clear natural pine resin. The delicate bloom was picked fresh from an Irish summer meadow and carefully preserved to retain its luscious colour and tiny details. The buttercup is surrounded by a confetti cloud of baby pink, ivory and pale yellow Queen Anne's Lace flowers. They dance around the buttercup and echo the fun and frivolity of the warm summer days.

The miniature blooms are accompanied by a fine scattering of glistening 24k gold leaf flakes, which sparkle with every movement. The dazzling 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 or wedding. Available to buy now here.

Midsummer meadows

June has always been a favourite month of mine; with its warm sunny days, long evenings enrobed in florescent sunsets, pond lilies flaunting their form, and wildflower meadows splashed with vibrant colour and energetic life. Poppies in particular exude such a powerful and evocative display. Their blood red petals are traditionally symbolic of bloodshed and death, becoming emblematic of the catastrophic loss of life during the World Wars. It's this poignancy combined with angelic beauty that makes it such a bewitchingly beautiful wildflower.

I gathered a few poppies and cornflowers for my botanical supplies. While I was prepping some petals for pressing, I was so inspired by the rich ruby red tone of the silk-like petals. I had an urge to create a piece right away and this became the newest necklace in store (on sale in the Design Loft, Powerscourt Estate)- 'Crystals & Rubies' using the same tonal palette as the poppies. I used my own pressed sprigs of gypsophila, which I had dyed red. They almost look like tiny versions of real poppies with their circular heads bobbing upon their elegant elongated stems. I also added swirls of ruby red dye to the resin to heighten the colour. You can read more about the piece here, and purchase a completely one-of-a-kind item of jewellery.

Belle of the garden

'Belle of the Garden' is the latest addition to the Lost Forest collection. It is a pretty ode to a miniature floral garden you can carry with you wherever you go. This delicate necklace is a beautiful and elegant piece of wearable art. Within the crystal clear natural resin lies tiny Queen Anne's Lace flowers in subtle tones of pastel pink and yellow. The miniature blooms are accompanied by a fine scattering of gleaming 24k gold leaf flakes, which sparkle with every movement. 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 or wedding. Available here in limited numbers.

Meet me in the wildflower meadows

Flower foraging is not only a daily adventure for me, but a valuable learning experience too. I like to constantly learn and improve my knowledge of flowers and all things botanical. I've built up quite a collection of pressed wildflowers over the years, and I'm now the proud owner of my very own miniature pressed botanical library. It's important to me that my flowers are not bought online, but are sourced and picked from my surroundings. I've always advocated that my processes, materials and inspirations are all sourced locally and are distinct to me. It's what keeps me on my toes and allows me to freely explore my own creative yearnings, and not be dependent on external influences and trends.

I began using Queen Anne's Lace many years ago before it became ubiquitous amongst resin makers nowadays. I have always felt the urge to move as far away as possible from the over saturated mainstream, and have started once again to source other flowers that makers have yet to discover. I found Cow Parsley to be the perfect alternative. It grows in abundance where I live from late May, billowing out from the woodlands like puffs of shimmering clouds. It's quite a sight to behold when venturing through a forest sprayed with delicate white blooms:

Silent Noon

'Neath billowing skies that scatter and amass. 

All round our nest, far as the eye can pass, 

Are golden kingcup-fields with silver edge 

Where the cow-parsley skirts the hawthorn-hedge. 

'Tis visible silence, still as the hour-glass.

          -Dante Gabriel Rossetti           

Cow Parsley  is often confused with Queen Anne's Lace, but it is indeed a different flower. They are both from the Apiaceae family and are Umbellifers plants due to their umbrella-like flower heads. Cow Parsley is commonly known as Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris), while Queen Anne's Lace is Wild Carrot (Daucus carota). 

It is also worth noting that both plants must be observed methodically before picking or ingesting; in particular with Cow Parsley or 'Devils Parsley' as it is often referred to due to its very close resemblance to Hemlock (Conium maculatum); a fatally poisonous weed that should never be touched or ingested. To distinguish between the two, just remember: Cow Parsley has a slightly hairy green stalk and fern-like, triangular, 3-pinnate leaves with pointed segments, while hemlock has a thick stalk speckled with purple dots, feathery, 2-4 pinnate leaves and a pungent musty aroma. Many people have been unknowingly poisoned by Hemlock in the past believing it was either Queen Anne's Lace or Cow Parsley, which are both edible before they begin to flower.

When I pick Cow Parsley, I normally wear a glove to protect my skin from sap or nettles which grow in amongst the flowers. The sap isn't harmful, like Hogweed would be (causes severe burns), but as I have quite a medley of skin sensitivities and allergies, I always take extra precautions. 

Buttercups and Japanese Roses are also flourishing in profusion in the local parks near me. The aroma of the Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa) is the most heavenly fragrance. No wonder it has been used for centuries to make pot-pourri. I plucked a few heart-shaped petals to press, but always leave the stamen, as bees love these flowers, and they are an important source of food for them.  

The meadows are dotted with yellow floral confetti in the form of dazzling buttercups (Ranunculus) ; Creeping, Meadow and Bulbous varieties are out in full force and offer the most beautiful vista, especially set against a foreboding grey sky. These are such easy flowers to press, and I use them extensively in my work. My buttercup pendant with my signature 24k gold leaf background is an ode to my childhood days spent picking these blissful blooms and playing amongst the wildflowers. They always carry fond memories for me, which you can read more about here.