‘Jewellery isn’t just an accessory – it’s a medium of expression’

After over six years of experience in the jewellery industry, I launched my brand, Azulion Designs, earlier this year.

I began my training in the School of Jewellery in Dublin and since then, I have completed the Design Craft Council of Ireland’s course and trained internationally in Florence, Copenhagen and Rome, where I am now based. 

As an established goldsmith, I relocated to Rome to further hone my expertise in niche areas such as wax carving and stone setting.

The city is a continual source of inspiration and although at times it has been challenging, it has proven to be the ideal setting for the growth and refinement of my jewellery business. 

After saving a significant amount to invest in a private course and relocate to Rome, my initial plan was to secure a position with a goldsmith here.

However, the job opportunities turned out to be different from what I anticipated. I found that most of the goldsmith jobs are found in the north of Rome. Thankfully, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Over the past two years, I’ve gained so much confidence in my craft and that gave me the final push to launch my own business. From the beginning, I have had to be very strategic about where to invest my money. I’m aware that staying in Ireland would have offered an easier path with more financial support, but I’ve chosen to take the risk and establish myself abroad. 

I have a deep passion for art, architecture, the human psyche, and consciousness.

I’m particularly interested in self-awareness and writing/journalling, always aspiring to become a more conscious and mindful person. Those who know me know that I am obsessed with running. I believe that through expression and movement, we can all connect with more content and authentic versions of ourselves. In the past, I’ve struggled with mental health and anxiety, but through creation and stillness, I’ve found hope, passion, and beauty.

Through my work, I explore themes such as the human psyche and the connection between mind and body.

My latest collection, “Commence I”, delves into the raw emotions tied to the creative process, from the struggles and procrastination of creation to the liberation that comes with exploration and releasing new work.

I founded Azulion Designs as a way to separate myself from my work and commit to a larger vision with a focus on storytelling.

It’s a brand that has been waiting to be brought to life for some time now. Azulion means “Blue Lion”, a symbol that, for me, represents strength, power, resilience and courage. I want my customers to feel empowered and confident when wearing my pieces, encouraging them to embrace their true selves, whatever that may look like. 

Jewellery isn’t just an accessory – it’s a medium of expression.

My mission is to craft high-quality jewellery while creating meaningful dialogue around topics that are important to the brand. Whether through bespoke orders where customers tell their own story or through bold statement pieces, Azulion Design aims to push the boundaries of design, expressing individuality through each creation. Each piece aims to evoke emotions and tell stories, transforming metal and gemstones into wearable art. 

Collaboration with like-minded artists who share this passion for creation is essential.

By exploring how different mediums can interact and enhance one another, I seek to create a richer, more resonant experience. With “Commence I”, we collaborated with a photographer to capture the concept of the collection. I also connected with the designer behind Tessa van den Eeden through a close friend and I absolutely love following her design process. We are currently working on a project together and it has been so inspiring sharing our creative process. I truly think collaboration can enhance and deepen your artistic practice. 

Through our designs, we aim to bring people together, celebrating both the beauty of our collective consciousness and the precious materials the earth provides us. 

We have a passion for coloured gemstones and are committed to continually exploring different gemstones and cuts. This dedication to innovation and creativity is woven into every aspect of our mission. 

I remember becoming very interested in jewellery when I was around 15.

I’ve always been creative, but I didn’t choose art for my Leaving Certificate because I thought it was more important to focus on academic subjects. I used to bead jewellery with my aunt, who owned her own handcrafted jewellery business. When I went to Salamanca to study Spanish in 5th year, I fell in love with the various boutique jewellery shops and felt that there was nothing like them in Ireland. This inspired me to study Business and Spanish with the hope of one day owning a jewellery shop. 

After just over one year in college, I realised I wasn’t on the right path and dropped out.

Shortly after, I started taking part-time jewellery courses at The School of Jewellery in Dublin. I saved up to attend an intensive jewellery course in Florence, Italy, in 2018, and that’s when I knew for sure that this was the career I wanted to pursue. The passion and dedication I encountered there blew me away, and I was hooked.

Drawing, designing, and exploring new ideas are still some of my favourite parts of being a designer and maker. 

When I got into the DCCI course in Kilkenny, I found that the design side came much more naturally to me than the technical aspects. I believe this is also a message for young people to pursue their passions and talents from an early age, rather than simply following what they think is expected of them. 

Both collections, “Full Circle” and “Commence I”, are testaments to the exploration of human emotion through design.

We stock small, limited collections in 925 sterling silver and 14ct, 18ct yellow gold. “Full Circle”, inspired by St. Brigid, symbolises the inevitable darkness of light and the coming of spring, capturing the cyclical nature of life and renewal. This collection features three pairs of unique hoops that are truly worth the investment. These designs stand out for their originality and bold geometric shapes.

“Commence I” delves into themes of procrastination and the struggle of creation, highlighting the importance of creating space for experimentation and growth.

Each design is characterised by soft, flowing curves that reflect a sense of fluidity and movement. The collection features two exclusive statement rings with limited availability, alongside four additional pieces: a pair of studs, hoops, a ring, and a handcrafted chain.  We love the handmade chain for its versatility, offering multiple styling options to suit any occasion or personal preference. 

We are currently developing a selection of exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces that will soon be available for inquiry.

Without giving too much away, these pieces are inspired by nature and the delicate fragility of life. We are experimenting with new techniques to bring these designs to life, with a focus on creating intricate, highly detailed pieces that showcase the beauty of craftsmanship. Stay tuned for more, as these exclusive creations will be unveiled soon!

From the dedicated design process to sourcing high-quality traceable gemstones, we love working one-on-one with customers to bring their vision to life. 

This Christmas, the bespoke service allows customers to express themselves through unique jewellery pieces imbued with personal meaning. Bespoke orders for 2024 close on October 18.

Generally, I love to shop second-hand or vintage.

I’m always on Vestiaire saving items to my favourites. Living abroad has led me to focus on purchasing what I truly need. I also love following small designers on Instagram for inspiration on their design process. Currently, I have my eye on a small knitwear brand called Vanihla. Their pieces are fully created by hand mainly using yarns gathered from deadstock and fabric from a local fabric shop. Being a maker myself leads me to question where things are made and from what. I’m very aware of my consumption choices. My best fashion purchase has to be an olive green Cos trench coat that I bought in a second-hand store in Berlin. It’s one of those pieces that you instantly feel was already yours and could wear every day and not get tired of.

You have to learn to wear many hats and find a balance between them.

If I had my way, I would spend all my time creating and making, but right now, I’m learning how to juggle social media, marketing, finances, and everything else that comes with running a business. It’s definitely a challenge, but an important part of the journey. 

There are many other Irish brands I love.

A few that come to mind are Róisín Pierce, for her intricate and artisanal designs; Roisín Gartland, for her innovation and incredible craftmanship in leather and costume designs; and Mar Knitwear – I definitely have a thing for knitwear and love his playful, colourful designs. 

Following your passion is incredibly rewarding, but it also means embracing the ups and downs that come with running a business.

There are moments of pure excitement when things are flowing, you’re doing what you love and seeing your vision come to life, but there are also challenges, financial pressures, unexpected setbacks and periods where it’s hard to find motivation. It’s a constant learning curve. I think the key is staying committed to your passion and remembering your why, knowing that difficult times are part of the process. The rewards of following your dreams will always outweigh the struggles. 

I recently was picked for a month-long exhibition/pop-up shop in Rome, Italy.

It’s one of my proudest achievements to date. It runs from the end of February 2025 to March 2025. The shop is in a prime location, and with 2025 being a Jubilee year in Rome, the city is expected to see triple the usual number of visitors. Having spent the past year here working away to secure various opportunities, this is by far the most incredible one yet. I cannot wait to create more pieces for this, particularly inspired by Rome. I’m looking forward to sharing my work and connecting with people through this exhibition. 

I want the brand to be remembered for pushing the boundaries of design, highlighting the importance of jewellery as a medium of personal and emotional expression.

I aim for the brand to stand out for its innovative and captivating designs, the use of unique gemstones, and its ability to tell compelling stories through each piece. 

If I could have absolutely anyone wear my designs it would be Billie Eilish.

I’ve always been obsessed with her and feel like she is really one-of-a kind. Her unique sound has created a genre all her own and her lyrics bring me to places I didn’t know possible. Her ability to connect with people on a personal level and her boundary-pushing creativity sets her apart. We definitely share the same values of innovation, authenticity and the power of personal expression.

azuliondesigns.com

Photography by Azulion Designs.