For our next installment of Meet The Maker, we have fantastic jewellery artist Alex Monroe! Alex Monroe Jewellery is inspired by nature, and the nostalgia of a childhood spent roaming the Suffolk countryside. Every piece is conscientiously designed and responsibly handmade in England by jeweller Alex Monroe, alongside an expert team of makers and skilled long-term partners. From strong South East London roots, Alex Monroe jewellery is now much loved worldwide for its unique detail, character and craftsmanship.
Learn more about Alex, his creative process, and his inspirations in our little interview with the man himself below.
I’m originally from rural Suffolk, but I was really into art and fashion when I was younger so I left as soon as I could to study jewellery design in London. But the countryside stayed with me and when I set up my business in 1986 in south London I couldn’t help making nature inspired fashionable and quirky jewellery.
Well I live in London and Suffolk so I mix the two. I do a lot of my designing in the countryside but I do all my making in our fabulous purpose build studios in London Bridge.
Well I have far too many thoughts and ideas so I keep everything in my sketchbooks ready for when we might need them. Most of my inspiration comes from nature but I can get inspired anywhere… exhibitions, movies, books… everything can spark an idea.
I cook and I garden and I build things and I love to sketch and draw… I suppose that is creating too but it’s fun!
Right at the moment it would be the tea cup and saucer not just because of my absolute love of tea, but also as I have just completed my tea sommelier course and have launched my own tea at Alex Monroe!
I’ve been doing this for 37 years now and I love it all. But sometimes running a business in challenging times can be a pressure, Covid, Brexit, Cost of living, and inflation have made these past few years…. challenging!
Have fun with it. Do it for the right reasons and only if you’re enjoying the journey.
All of them! I’ve just been to Naples so I’ve been looking at Greek and Roman art recently. But my kids are at Art School so I’m also getting inspired by new work by young artists. There’s just so much to enjoy!
Quirky, British, Handmade.
From left to right: Bunch Of Keys necklace, Posy Bloom Bee earrings, and Baby Bee necklace.
Always New Collections. The trip to Naples is a clue… !!