Irish Design Spotlight: Saltwater Design

Saltwater is inspired and influenced by the organic shapes and textures of nature.

Particularly the wild Atlantic land and seascapes where I grew up. I use natural elements such as pearls, shells and glass and incorporate vintage and recycled materials when I can.

The business was born after a particularly hard year for me. I was experiencing grief, depression and illness, and looking for ways to find joy again.

Designing and making the first few pieces of jewellery lit a fire inside me. When people started buying it, wearing it and telling me how much they liked it, I felt like I was sharing that joy with them. To me, Saltwater feels like a way for me to connect with others while fulfilling my desire for a creative life. I absolutely love sharing my designs and seeing people enjoy them, so I suppose that’s my mission.

When I look back now, I kind of always knew I wanted to be a jewellery designer – even if I didn’t realise it at the time!

I’ve always been obsessed with design, with putting things together and making them look beautiful. My mother is an artist and used to be a jewellery maker when I was growing up so I learned a lot from her at a young age. Growing up, I never really considered that I would be able to make a career out of it though, and I’ve studied and worked at lots of other things before starting my own brand, Saltwater.

I started the business with very little money and out of necessity as I was sick and unable to work a “real job” at the time.

I had inherited about €3,000 and used that to cover a lot of the initial costs, and also borrowed small amounts from friends and family as I went on. There was a lot of scrimping and saving and financial anxiety for the first couple of years, and to be honest, there often still is, but I’m thankful to be able to make a liveable wage at this point, three and a half years in.

The best piece of advice I’ve gotten is, “If you’re going to try to make this a business, throw everything into it and really try.”

For the first year, I worked constantly to make Saltwater a success and it was my number one priority. I missed out on a lot of social stuff that year but now I’m proud of the dedication that made the business what it is now.

My favourite way to shop is trawling through second hand shops or online vintage, and finding something that way always feels extra special.

I have a lot of beautiful pieces I’ve found over the years that I still wear. I love Laoise Carey. Her work is so beautiful and all made with vintage textiles which I really admire. Shannon of Hammer and Snail makes gorgeous jewellery with recycled metals, and Bebhinn Eilish makes gorgeous mythic and folk-inspired artwork. I love following weird and whimsical accounts for inspiration too. My favourites at the minute are @liberty.mai, @gracefford, @laurabenson, @polinatammi  and @archaeologyart is amazing for historical inspiration.

Taking time off and pacing yourself is so important.

I tend to work long hours and not take breaks when things are busy and it’s led to exhaustion and being forced to stop. I’m slowly learning how to set boundaries between work and personal life.

I’m proudest that I’m able to sustain myself and live off what I create.

Any time I take a moment to look back on everything that’s happened and realise how far I’ve come and how many people wear my jewellery I’m like, ‘Wow, how did I do that?!’

Each piece I make and each collection I release has its own story.

I like the idea that Saltwater will be remembered for thoughtful pieces of jewellery that you reach for during special moments in your life, or to make the ordinary days feel more special. Zendaya recently wore my earrings (still not over it…) but I think my 16-year-old self would die if I saw Alexa Chung in something of mine, so I think she’d be my dream client.

Imagery courtesy of Saltwater Design