About Me

By education and interest I am a horticulturalist and my friends know that this actually means a passionate gardener. I am also educated in environmental management. Both my degrees are the consequence of my passion for Nature. However, as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed not only digging and planting in the garden but also crocheting, embroidery and knitting. As a kid I would watch my Mum or Grandma knit or sew and I would attempt to copy them. I would observe and then try to make something that would be original and beautiful. So, I am now a self taught artist observing Nature and trying to plant her spirit in my jewellery. Many of my designs are also inspired by the Art Nouveau - my favourite style in art - and by all the places I travel to.

the name

In my native Polish language “thinking of blue almonds” means the same as the English expression “to have a head in the clouds” or “to be away with the fairies”. This is what I experience when I see a beautiful stone: I dream what a piece of jewellery it could make… Or when I look into the deep blue waters of a Scottish loch I wonder what stones would truly reflect the colours I see. I dream - and then I strive to make the dreams come true in the designs and colours of my jewellery.

The company is what they call a “one man’s business” which is in fact a “one woman’s” business. At the moment it is based in the Scottish Highlands where I live with my husband.

To be honest Blue Almonds would not exist if not for the Scottish weather. It is, well, much more wet here than in my home country and the always moist air makes all the colours so fresh, so vibrant, and so inspiring - one just cannot help being creative here!

the stones, materials and technique

I choose to work with natural, high quality gemstones, polished or cut to reveal their inner beauty of colour, pattern and spirit. I only use natural stones, which were not colour enhanced or dyed. Thanks to that my jewellery has organic and earthy colour palette.

The stones are sourced all over the world but my amber comes always from Poland. I prefer to use stones hand cut and polished by independent lapidary artists than produced by large companies and I already have an established network of trusted suppliers. I endeavour to make sure my stones are interesting and original, and come from ethical sources.

The stones are carefully hand wrapped with wire of different thickness: from hair-like thin up to about 1mm. I use Sterling Silver (0.925), Fine Silver (0.999) or 14Karat Goldfill, depending on the project and the customer choice.