So here’s our next post for #meetthemaker month with jeweller Fi Mehra. Fi has been working with us here at iapetus for over 10 years and we have built a fantastic and collaborative relationship. Many pieces of Fi’s jewellery are exclusively sold by us including her amazing and varied silver charm collection - read on for our interview!
I started a jewellery evening class when I was 16 and loved it so much that I enrolled in the Birmingham school of Jewellery, and spent 3 years training as a diamond mounter. My first job in the business was in a very small trade workshop where I developed my skills alongside designing and making in my spare time for friends and family. I took quite a long career break when I started my family, and started making again full time about 15 years ago, I haven't looked back since and I absolutely love what I do.
How does where you work inspire you? I have been living back in East Sussex for nearly 4 years now. After living in Wiltshire for over 20! I have always lived with lots of family close by and they are good at helping me develop designs, lots of opinions can be a good thing...…… sometimes.
My work is inspired by all sorts. Living by the sea and holidaying in Cornwall for a lot of my life has heavily inspired my designs. But I have also taken ideas for my designs from wildlife all over the country, historical points of interest such as stone henge and the textures of the stones, and landscapes such as Salisbury plain.
From left to right: Stonehenge silver charm, Sailing boat cluster pendant, and dainty butterfly silver and gold plate drop earrings.
I have a Cocker Spaniel puppy called Erik, so I spend a lot of time walking him, and trying to stop him stealing socks mainly, but he'll have anything he can get his paws on. I love to spend time with my family, including my 2 grand daughters that like to try and ''help'' me in the workshop.
My favourite pieces of my recent work, are the capsule lockets, I really enjoy making them and wearing them. I also love finding out what people want to have inside them.
When it's Sunday and my gas cylinder runs out.
Invest in good tools and someone that likes paperwork.
Hamish Bowie's work is amazing and Jim Miller is a wonderful goldsmith. Their technical abilities in all aspects of their designs are so inspiring.
Organic, Tactile and Quirky
Penguins!