The Earring Challenge Journal: Ten Pairs, Ten Stories

Earrings have always been a puzzle for me.

Which is funny, really — I have nine piercings myself. But when it comes to designing them, I’ve always hit a block. Something about creating two pieces at once — should they match? Mirror each other? Be identical twins or just siblings? — stops me in my tracks.

At my last show, several fellow jewellers (and a few customers too) pointed out what I already knew: my work needed more earrings.

So I’ve decided to lean into the discomfort and make it a challenge:
Ten pairs of earrings, designed and finished, before my next show at Hever Castle in September.

Instead of overthinking, I’m approaching this as an experiment. I’ll draw from my existing collections — the textures, the organic shapes, the flowing lines — and let them evolve into pairs of earrings. I’ll play with water casting, with gemstones, with pearls. I’ll allow for imperfection, for asymmetry, for surprise.

This journal will document the journey. Each post will share a new pair: the inspiration behind it, the process, and what I learned along the way.

Ten pairs. Ten stories. One challenge.

Let’s see where it flows. 🌊