Blue Ruby

Catherine Lillis-James

  • United Kingdom

“Hand Made. Original. Eclectic.”

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About Blue Ruby

Blue Ruby

Creating a New Life Through Craft

I have always made things - mud pies, paper dollies and cards for my Mum were my earliest efforts. Over the years I have acquired new skills - sewing, knitting (slowly), pottery, painting and making costume jewellery. I have always loved colour and originality and have never really been a follower of fashion, preferring to carve my own crumbly, rutted and wandering path. I get a lot of my inspiration from nature, and love the sea and things nautical.

After several careers, bringing up children and the usual ups and downs of life I decided to create the life I always wanted - being arty farty, taking time to enjoy the process of creating and trying to make a living from it! Empty bedrooms gave me the opportunity to create a studio at home, so not far to go to work! Unpacking the attic to find my tools and equipment uncovered lots of forgotten treasures - vintage fabrics, funny little bits from a flea market in Paris that I bought intending to upcycle into unique pieces of jewellery, shells and buttons that I am still wondering what to do with!

I have recently studied silversmithing, and whilst I am still a newbie I am learning and improving every day. My first batch of silver jewellery has just gone off for hall marking and will be offered for sale in my Blue Ruby shop. It was a very exciting step to register my own hallmark!

I like to make unique, one-off pieces, but I have taken commissions for suites of jewellery for bridal groups, and wedding and party favours.

I love to recycle and upcycle - clothes, furniture, weird and wonderful things for my garden and allotment. Gardening is important to me - growing my own veg, being out in the fresh (city) air and chatting about the best way to tie up cordon tomatoes!