When I started making jewellery I was partly driven to do so by the desire to make the sort of jewellery that I would want to wear. I found it really hard to find design led pieces that were bold, eyecatching and reasonably priced, but that would also stand the test of time. My objective was to produce the sort of work that fell somewhere between the high street ‘throwaway’ collections and high end designer jewellery. I felt like surely I couldn’t be the only person who wanted something affordable, but that wasn’t going to fall apart after three wears?!
My approach hasn’t changed that much over the years, but my brand ethos has since evolved into something that I now call ‘beauty in simplicity’ By that I mean taking a very simple idea or shape and working out how to turn it into something gorgeous that my customers are excited to wear. There’s nothing extra, nothing added, just what’s needed. To quote design behemoth Dieter Rams, “Good design is as little design as possible”.
I love the idea of paring things back to their essential elements. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of bold geometric shapes, but I'm excited by the idea of how far you can push something that might also be seen as quite restrictive. For example, if I decide to use only circles, how many different designs can I produce?
What I make isn’t about following fashions and I deliberately shy away from releasing multiple collections each year as I think it discourages thoughtful, mindful purchasing. I hate how the ‘last chance to buy’ philosophy permeates the fashion industry and feeds overconsumption. You should buy something because you really love it and not because everyone else has it or you’re worried you’ll somehow ‘miss out’.
Fashions come and go (I’m looking at you cowrie shells!), but I am interested in crafting designs that are elegant and timeless. I want to make pieces that will work with everything in your wardrobe and jewellery box, this year and for years to come. I like bold jewellery and I often like piling it on, but I try and make designs that complement each other, regardless of which range they have come from. For me, it’s important that my jewellery collection has some core hardworking pieces that I can always depend on to lift an outfit.
Last year I released The Classics Edit (see above photo), a selection of my best selling items plus a few new deisgns, all available in Sterling silver and gold plated Sterling silver. The idea behind this collection is that they’re your staple go to pieces that will always work with the other jewellery you have, be it from me or other designers.
I’m currently busy working on a new capsule collection which will be available this Autumn. Again, the beauty in simplicity approach has informed the design process – using one or two key shapes and experimenting with different combinations to see what works best.
I can't wait to share the new designs with you, but if you’d like to be the the first to know when the new collection drops then get yourself signed up to the mailing list now (see the sign up box at the top of the page) and you'll get a tasty 10% discount off your first online order too!
Elin Horgan designs and creates handmade jewellery in her Bristol studio. Elin’s beautifully simple handmade jewellery is carefully crafted and designed to be worn every day. You can read more about Elin’s work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand on her About Elin Horgan Jewellery page.
If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a custom piece of jewellery, please have a look at the Bespoke Handmade Jewellery page or email info@elinhorgan.com