Inspired by...

Like many people I'm sure, my designs are greatly influenced by the environment I live in and the landscapes that surround me and never more so than at this time of year with the warmer (finally) weather and longer days.

I live about 7 miles from the south coast of England in a small county called Dorset and I am very fortunate to have the start of the world heritage site Jurassic Coast just a little way west, where I spent many many happy childhood holidays messing about in Rock pools and looking for fossils.

Work started on my new studio this week - this has been my major preoccupation in recent weeks and whilst I haven't been able to get to the beach much I have been retreating into some jewellery design as a distraction and the influence of my beautiful surroundings are all too clear.

This is Durdle Door, a natural arch where I can remember finding Starfish as a kid...

Photo courtesy of Joe Cotch

And this is a recent necklace design....

A view over Kimmeridge Bay is a perfect example of the wonderful Dorset Downs that sweep down to the coast cloaked in a gorgeous palette of blues and greens...

Photo courtesy of Joe Cotch

Any my own blue and green interpretation...

This is "Old Harry Rocks' a chalk stack at one of my favourite parts of the coast line for walking...

Photo courtesy of Joe Cotch

And I'm sure a mermaid could be luring a few suitors onto those inaccessible rocks.

I've never been fortunate enough to come across an Ammonite of this magnitude but they do make great motifs to use in jewellery...



This necklace features fossil inspiration from myself and my fellow AJE team mates Diana and Karen.

I'm also a big fan of natural earthy colours and these regional palettes also work their way into my component designs...

Photo courtesy of Joe Cotch

And then of course there are our gorgeous local beach huts which range from the bright and bijoux...

Friends of mine Louise and Helen

To the more substantial both in size and cost - one of these could set you back as much as  £150,000 or $230,000.

If I had that kind of money guess where my new studio would be... but until I win the lottery I'll have to make do with my own little huts.

I hope you've enjoyed  this little trip to the south coast of England and if you'd like to share any special places that influence your work please do - we'd love to hear form you.

Lesley
The Gossiping Goddess