Meet the Maker: Elin Horgan

Inspired by abstract art, architecture and the urban environment, Elin Horgan is a Bristol-based designer and maker producing modern, minimal handmade jewellery.

Elin answered some of our Meet the Maker questions to give us a little insight into her life as a jewellery designer-maker...

Can you summarise your journey to becoming a designer in five steps?

1) I dreamt of being a jeweller when I was young, but in the end, my study and career took a completely different direction.

2) I took up jewellery making as a hobby about 10 years ago, attending evening classes and various short courses.

3) Whilst on maternity leave I took a part-time jewellery course at a local college.

4) In the midst of this, I realised that I didn't want to go back to my previous job so started to make plans for my new business.

5) I launched my business in August 2013 and got my first few stockists on board that Autumn.

What inspires your work?

Lots of things, but mostly architecture and the urban environment.  I love to wander around the city looking for interesting nooks and crannies. Anything can spark off an idea - it might be the shape of a window or a doorway or random marks on the pavement.

Elin Horgan's IG

What is a typical workday for you?

I fit things around looking after two young children so it's often a quick walk to school/nursery followed by an intense period of making fuelled by strong coffee!  I try and do any admin, emails, invoicing etc in the evenings to make the most of the time I have alone.  I also like to allow myself a bit of time for developing new designs, but I've found I have to get out of the house for this or I become distracted from my other work.  Luckily I live near a great cafe.

Wapping Wharf Bristol

The object I couldn't live without...

It's a toss-up between my diary (I've realised I can't do digital as I need to see everything written down in front of me) and perennial workshop favourite The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight, which is an absolute treat of a reference book for jewellers and silversmiths, with instructions on how to make pretty much anything and everything.

Your favourite shop/cafe/bar etc.?

Living in Bristol I'm blessed with a fantastic selection of independent shops, cafes and bars.  Wapping Wharf, on the harbourside, has got a brilliant range of eateries in a stack of shipping containers (much better than it sounds) and closer to home I love The Urban Standard on Gloucester Rd for great beer and food.  It's super relaxed, the food is lovely and it's 5 minutes walk from my house....it doesn't get much better than that!

Can you pick 3 products you love from HBK website?

1. Bear Tray

by Buddy + Bear

I have the matching cups (that I bought from your shop in fact!) and my kids love them! They're cute and really hardwearing, despite being dropped/thrown countless times

2.

Knot Garden Graphite Cushion

by Melin Tregwynt.

I'm an absolute sucker for a bit of Melin Tregwynt and this would be my own personal cushion that I wouldn't let anyone else sit on!

3. Regular Pouch

By Walk With Me.

I love its functional simplicity and the fact that it's made from recycled leather.

Thanks to Elin for taking the time to answer our questions. Head over to the website now to check out our full jewellery collection and see some of Elin's incredible creations.