Meet the Maker: Sally of Sea Pink Studio
Posted on 8th June 2022
Tell us a little about your business – what is it you make?
I’m Sally from Sea Pink Studio and I create brightly coloured wooden bead jewellery inspired by the colourful coasts and towns of Cornwall where I live.
How did you get started in your creative field?
I trained as a graphic designer, moving to Cornwall 20 years ago from London after visiting the area and falling in love with its relaxed outdoor lifestyle. After my two boys started school a few years ago I wanted to get away from my computer and be more hands on creatively, so I started making jewellery as a hobby for friends and family. I finally took the leap and have been running Sea Pink full time since last summer.
Talk us through your creative process…
When I’m working on new pieces I usually start with a colour palette based on images of places or things I have seen out and about. Most of my designs start on paper, mixing and matching colour swatches and coming up with patterns for my beads. All my beads are painted by hand on wooden sticks, usually with several layers of paint to give them a lovely even pop of colour.
What sort of space do you work in?
I would love a dedicated studio space but for now I mostly work from my kitchen table where I have a giant cupboard (fondly known as The Beadery!) packed full of all my materials, paints and pieces in progress. If it’s a sunny day I like to get outside and paint my jewellery in the garden!
What are the values behind your business?
My main aim with Sea Pink is to create fun, happy jewellery that brightens your day. I love that adding a pop of colour in the form of a bright blue necklace or a pair of yellow spotty earrings can really change the look of an outfit and make it something special without too much effort, the same way adding a bright colour lipstick does!
Where do you find creative inspiration?
I love spending time on the coast, visiting the pretty harbours here in Cornwall and always take lots of photos of the places I visit for inspiration – bunting, colourful pastel houses and fishing buoys have all been starting points for my jewellery. I also have a passion for gardening and take inspiration from visiting places such as the Lost Gardens of Heligan for their colourful flowers.
Are there themes that run through your work?
I don’t produce seasonal collections and tend to make new things when the mood hits me, creating several pieces based on a particular colour palette, but my jewellery is always bold and colourful.
What do you love most about making?
While it’s quite hard work running a business, I enjoy that every day is different and that I can choose how to spend my time! If I’m feeling creative I’ll spend the whole week making things, or it might be that there’s photography or marketing to do or an event to take part in. There is a great community of makers where I am based so even though I work alone there’s always someone ask for advice when needed, or just to have a chat and a coffee with!
Which piece of work are you most proud of?
It’s hard to pick an individual piece, but my neon pieces are secretly my favourite!
Describe your work in three words…
Colourful, Fun, Joyful.
Click here to visit Sally’s website
