Helen de Sarandy – Designer Interview

When and how did you start making jewellery?

I attended a beaded jewellery making workshop in the autumn last year and that was the start of a great addiction which I love every second of!

Where do you go for inspiration?

I find everything is inspirational – people’s clothes, flowers you walk past, paintings..beads in a tray

Who is your favourite designer?

I don’t have one in particular, apart from me!

What can’t you live without when making jewellery?

Small, silver plated daisy spacers – and beads, of course!

What advice would you give to someone getting into jewellery making?

I’d advise people to experiment a lot and not lose heart if it all goes “pear shaped”! You can always snip it up and start again!

What makes you smile the most when making jewellery?

I smile as I see the colours and textures working well together. And also when I see people loving my creations.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of setting up a business to sell their jewellery?

I’d tell them to be very careful with their outgoings and to be strict about what they spend their precious cash on.

Finally, what jewellery do your customers love the most?

I just love making lariats – all colours and which incorporate different shapes and forms as well as different types of beads.