Irena Leahy

My name is Irena Leahy and I create gemstone and personalised jewellery. My collections are feminine, elegant and timeless, featuring bright colours and sleek designs accented with silver or gold. All pieces are handmade in Dublin by me, in small quantities to cherish every moment for women who love elegant, simple designs and appreciate quality handmade jewellery. I use natural semi-precious stones, sterling silver, gold-filled and vermeil pieces.

Q&A

Artist Statement

ILgemstones Jewellery is my expression of the world of colour, form and texture. A blend of modern style with handmade techniques offers customers the latest fashion trend colours and natural materials.

What craft do you work with? 

The new lifestyle led me to pursue my interests and complete a photography course and several jewellery courses resulting in the ILgemstones jewellery brand. I started making jewellery in 2015. My favourite technique is hand-knotting.

What inspires you to work with this craft? 

The colours, richness and diversity of nature, from the Mediterranean brightness where I grew up to the picture-perfect green Irish countryside where I live now are my leading inspiration.I love the blend of modern style with handmade techniques that offer customers the latest fashion trend colours and natural materials.I combine natural semi-precious stones, sterling silver, gold-filled and vermeil pieces of high quality.

How do you start your creative process?

Special care and attention to detail are taken in the creative and making process as different handmade techniques are used. My favourite part is making where I use different techniques such as hand-knotting, hand stamping, wire wrapping and beading. Selling and social media are the areas I find most difficult to master.

How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?

As my studio faces south, it is filled with sunshine and warmth when the weather permits. I always have different containers with gemstones and findings on my desk.  I use lots of different tools like pliers.
Are there new techniques you would like to try?

None at the moment as I’m busy as it is.

What have you learnt that you would like to share with fellow crafters?

Advice received worth sharing is: Try again and again.

Media & Contact

Representation

Company: ILgemstones Jewellery

 

Contact

Email: ilgemstones@gmail.com

 

References

Website: https://ilgemstones.com/

Instagram: ilgemstones

Facebook: ILgemstones

Other: https://www.pinterest.ie/ilgemstones/

 

Photography credit

Irena Leahy

Location

Dublin, Ireland

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