{The Handmade Story} Contemporary designer jewellery by Huiyi

Posted on April 14, 2011

What colour day are you having today? We had to make sure there are lots of carrot sticks in case the Easter bunny arrives, so it’s definitely an orange day for us here .

Speaking of colours, we are so impressed with the creations of this very special artist and the first thing that came to mind was her gorgeous range of colour pencil jewellery. She is always full of surprises, her designs are always so fresh and so exciting. Some of our favourites are the colour pencil necklace, sterling silver weather forecast ear studs and colourful zipper ear studs.

We have invited Huiyi to share her story with us here, the story of her adventure in her colourful world of handmade where she unleashed the beauty of colour pencils.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your creations.

My name is Huiyi, a GIA accredited jewellery professional. I was first trained to be an interior designer at college in Southeast China, and gained my MA in Jewellery Design at Birmingham Institute of Art & Design in the UK. After graduation, I lived in Fairfax, and Alexandria, Virginia State, America for about 4 years. Since June 2010, I have been active in the artisan market as an independent jewellery designer and maker. I live in Cornwall, UK now and make all my jewellery here in my Cornish studio in Southwest Britain.

2. How did you get started in doing what you do?

Every time I saw my dad make his DIY projects, I always wanted to have my own ones. Later I went to design schools but did something else after graduation. It was in the last summer when I walked into an art shop in England. The art materials there were so colourful that I kept thinking about them after I was home. Later in about 2 weeks time, I could not help to go back and bought the first box of colour pencils after I grew up. As I don’t use colour pencils as often as I did as a child, keeping them in the dark would be a waste. Eventually, I decided to do something about them and introduce their beauty to my audience who like collecting colour pencils or have their own stories with colour pencils as well. As more colour pencil jewellery were sold, I became more confident to keep bringing my “strange” ideas to my works. There will be more designs to come.

3. Where do you get your inspiration?

My parents sent me to an art studio to learn painting when I was at age 9. I see the drawing and painting knowledge gained when I grew up, as the foundation for my inspiration. It trained me to see everyday life in an aesthetic way. Also, friends I know, things I’ve seen in my travelling inspire me quite a lot.

4. What was your first creation? Do you have a favourite?

I made myself a bed lamp with a transparent cassette case at primary school. So I could keep watching my silk worms eating leaves inside of my bed after bed time. Obviously, I was a strange kid. I’m still very proud of that design even today .

From so many things I’ve designed and made, my favourite goes to the sterling silver color pencil ring below. It’s simple, but makes sense.

5. We love your colour pencil jewellery and we think they are very original and unique. What is the story and inspiration behind the design?

I liked drawing when I was a child. Most gifts I got at those ages were colourful art materials, such as full sets of water colour paints, white paper, and of course colour pencils! The idea of making the colour pencil jewellery collection is to share the beauty I see through them to everyone who loves colours. Also, I want to share the idea that beauty is always around us and it can be easily found from everyday-objects.

I’ve made a video for them and it could be seen at my YouTube Channel too.

6. How do you find balance between your creative life and your loved ones?

My creative life and my loved ones balance quite well. My husband is a graphic designer. He is my works’ first audience. He always gives me some comments about my works and I do the same thing to him as well. My dad is a technician. He enjoys making small items at home. The fact that I enjoy making things by hand was adopted from him.

7. What is your favourite movie and why?

I like the film called “Catch Me If You Can” and “21″. Because I love the message they sent “The world is as big as you can imagine. Everything is possible. Don’t limit yourself by experiences, open your eyes and start exploring it now.”

8. Do you love cooking? What is your best dish?

Yes, I do. I love home cooking. I enjoy finding recipes online, at book stores and by TV shows. My best dish is a chocolate cake called “Death By Chocolate”.

More of Huiyi’s creations:

Luulla store: http://www.luulla.com/store/huiyitan

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/BehindTheShowcase