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I design and make a unique range of Japanese origami inspired jewellery

I have always enjoyed making and designing and until I had to give it up for medical reasons three years ago enjoyed patchwork and quilting. I tried out a number of different arts and crafts activities and eventually remembered that I enjoyed origami as a child. I was delighted to find that not only was ths something I enjoyed but also something, with a few minor restrictions that I could still do.
I soon got bored of the "usual" models and started making flowers, gradually I discovered that I found it easier to fold small scale flowers and in thinner paper and after doing a bit of research made my first pair of earrings. That was in the summer 2015.

Since then I have spent time not only developing my designs and jewellery making skills, but also spent time (and money), researching the best glues and very importantly varnishes to make my pieces as durable as I can.

Most of my inspiration comes from the natural world, especially flowers, vintage jewellery and the designs and jewellery of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. I use a range of papers, from delicate hand made tissue paper to specialist Japanese origami paper through to wrapping paper and thinner scrapbook paper, and increasingly I decorate and pattern my own papers adding even more originality to my designs.

I design and make my jewellery at home where I have a room that I have made into my studio and love spending time there, whether it be designing, folding, varnishing or assembling my pieces usually while listening to Radio 4 or an audio book.

Designing and making my jewellery gives me immense pleasure, I hope it gives as much pleasure to those who wear it.

You can follow me on Twitter: @Gillisflowers Instagram: gillisflowers or like my Facebook page facebook.com/gillisflowers

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