Meet The Jeweller & Gemstone Addict Behind Made By Oonagh

Welcome back to another 'Meet The Jeweller' feature. We first discovered Oonagh over on Instagram, and we were blown away by her bold designs! We always get excited when we receive a notification that Oonagh has tagged us in her latest design using our gems.

You will fall in love with Oonagh's stunning handmade jewellery, and her use of statement gemstones and designs inspired by ancient Viking, Greek and Egyptian jewellery. In this interview, we find out more about her jewellery making journey, where it all began, a little insight into her garden studio and her top gemstones for jewellery making.

Hi Oonagh, tell us about your handmade jewellery business and how it all started

I am an almost completely self-taught metalsmith and jeweller with a small handmade one of a kind jewellery business based in my garden studio in the lovely little town of Totnes in Devon. After being diagnosed with ME I struggled to attend college or keep up with studies, so I decided to drop out and do a local short course in jewellery making where I made a plain silver band ring. I instantly fell in love with the process of forming, soldering and working with metals and felt it came very naturally to me.

After finishing the short course I really wanted to continue learning and creating jewellery. I was lucky enough to qualify for a local young person’s grant that funded me with enough to get all the basic tools and equipment I needed to make jewellery at home. I continued to teach myself, learning new techniques and working with a range of materials. One of the first things I learnt was stone setting as I have always loved gemstones.

After a year of learning how to make finished jewellery pieces and collecting the knowledge I needed, I felt confident enough that I could start my own business. I applied for a business loan to build a studio space in my garden to work from. Throughout this experience, I have taken photographs to document my development of skills and style. I upload these images on social media to share my journey.

How would you describe your jewellery and what makes it unique?

A lot of my designs are inspired by ancient Viking, Greek and Egyptian jewellery. I love the strong simple shapes with some intricate details and components, I usually incorporate arrow shapes into my designs, I think they fit the shapes and curves of the body beautifully when worn. I aim to create long lasting jewellery that can accompany you wherever life may lead.

Where does your love of jewellery come from?

I’d say it probably all started when I went travelling around New Zealand in a little van with my family when I was seven, I was fascinated with the paua shells we were finding on all the beaches and the jade in the rivers, it was magical. I still have a large solid jade fan bird pendant I carved while I was there, too heavy to wear though!

Is there one piece of jewellery you never take off? If so, what is it and does it have a special meaning?

I inherited a lovely yellow and white gold knot ring set with tiny diamonds from my great grandmother. She really loved gold jewellery and had an amazing collection. I wear it a lot, it’s a lovely reminder of the beautiful and strong woman she was!

Tell us more about your sunny garden studio in your home?

It’s a great creative space that I share with my two cats, in a lovely thriving garden so I have the constant singing of birds and aroma of flowers drifting in.

It's a fairly spacious studio with lots of windows and natural light, always in a state of absolute organised chaos!

What’s your favourite tool and why?

Definitely my torch. I couldn’t make anything without it, all my designs are soldered, melted or fused so it’s vital. Also I love playing with fire!

What’s one technique you would like to master and why?

Flush setting is at the top of my list! It would open up lots of new design possibilities with setting gemstones.

What’s your favourite way to texture metal?

My favourite way of texturing metal is sprinkling silver dust/filings onto the silver piece and fusing them on (reticulation). This can create lovely natural textures and comes out with many different results.

We love your stacking rings, what’s your favourite thing about making these?

I wanted to make a collection of rings for people with a smaller budget, but wanted to keep the unique feel of my other rings.

With my stacking rings you can personalise them by picking different combinations of rings to fit together.

What is your favourite metal to work with and why?

I love working with yellow gold, it is such a beautiful natural precious metal.

Also the history of it, gold played important roles in many ancient mythologies and civilisations. It really connects to the ancient artefact style that I incorporate into most of my designs.

We love your opal jewellery designs, what is it you like most about this gemstone?

In my opinion, opals are the most beautiful gemstone in the world! They react to light in magical ways showing flashes of rainbow colours like little universes trapped in a gemstone.

Each opal is so unique, making every one very precious and special!

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We love your use of gemstones throughout your designs, what’s important to you when purchasing new stones for your designs?

I absolutely love gemstones! All of my designs centre around the natural gemstones I use, all individually chosen based on how they change with the light, react to each other, their surroundings, the metals and the wearer.

Do you have any other creative hobbies you enjoy doing?

I really enjoy hula hooping! Learning new tricks is always fun. It also really helps to improve my back and posture after spending a lot of time at my bench.

Top 3 favourite gemstones you love to use the most and why!

Opals, labradorite and moonstones, I love how they react to light with beautiful flashes of colour! And they come in a magnificent range of types, colour and forms. All unique and magical.

It's no surprise that Oonagh loves opal, most of our customers do too! It's one of our most popular gemstones due to its rich play of colours and beauty. Each opal is unique making it perfect for eye-catching jewellery designs

Labradorite is such a stunning gemstone, again offering a lovely play of colour. Discover labradorite cabochons, faceted stones and beads in our collection. Including some one-off, limited edition stones such as this one!

Moonstone has a glowing sheen of blue and white, resembling mesmerising moonlight! We have a range of moonstone cabochons, faceted stones and beads for your handmade designs.

Follow Oonagh and follow her jewellery making journey

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What Our Customers Say...

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with he friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.