Hello!
About me – the Short Version:
I’m a jewellery designer/maker working exclusively in precious and semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls and sterling and fine silver. I aim to work with the best quality materials, while keeping the price affordable.
You can find my work at craft markets in Cornwall or online at the British online marketplace, Folksy https://folksy.com/shops/sarahdelarrinagajewellery
If you would like to get in touch, please contact me on sarah@sarahdelarrinaga.co.uk
About me – the Long Version:
20+ years ago I was working in Higher Education when I went to Leiden in the Netherlands for work. One free afternoon I tried some sightseeing, but it was December and the wind was whipping off the North Sea and driving the sleet horizontal so instead I ducked into a random shop and that was it – I was hooked.
It was a beading shop, and that freezing afternoon the assistant showed me the basics of jewellery making and sold me a starter kit. Back home, I bought more tools and even more beads (you can’t ever have too many!). I took classes in jewellery making, then silver smithing. I read everything I could about gemstones and jewellery making, and took more classes and courses.
It’s fair to say jewellery making became an obsession and provided welcome relief from the day-job – not the actual work, but the peripheral paperwork, politics, computerisation and tick-box attitudes. A nagging voice insides started to suggest chucking it all in and running away to the seaside…and in the end I did!
At the beginning I made a lot of mistakes buying stones. But after 20 years I can now spot the dyed, low-grade or resin/reconstituted stones. Most of the stones I buy today come from Jaipur, the gemstone cutting capital of the world. I’ve built a relationship with a family firm of artisan gemstone cutters who specialise in AAA grade gemstone beads – that’s the top level.
I like small and delicate jewellery, and that’s what I make – jewellery that can be worn every day but is also special enough for going out, and always made from the best materials I can find, while staying affordable. I have an inner extra confidence from wearing the real thing, and I like the idea that the pieces will last and can be passed on to the next generation.
Now I live and work in the far South West of Britain, near Marazion. Home is a converted C18 Methodist chapel, where Wesley himself once preached in 1766. Thirty years later it became the chapel of the infamous smuggler-turned-Methodist preacher Harry Carter. Most days I walk down our little no-through lane and onto the Cornish coast path overlooking the beautiful Mounts Bay and the fairytale St Michael’s Mount.
I sell on-line through the British marketplace, Folksy https://folksy.com/shops/sarahdelarrinagajewellery
When I’m not making jewellery at home, I have a stalls at various weekly craft fairs – see the events page for details of where I’ll be. If you come to Cornwall, come and see me!
PS My surname is Basque in origin and rhymes with lime-and-lager. Not very romantic, but accurate!
Custom Orders
If you’d like me to make something specially for you, then contact me via sarah@sarahdelarrinaga.co.uk
“I met Sarah at the Fowey Christmas Market and was really taken with her jewellery. I had my mother’s wedding pearls and was hoping to get her granddaughters earrings made with them and a bracelet for my daughter who is getting married. I asked Sarah if she could make the earrings and bracelet for me. I am absolutely delighted with them and they are stunning. They are absolutely beautiful, I am so thrilled, thank you so much. I am really looking forward to giving them to my girls and my nieces” – Morag Penrose
“I met Sarah at a stall in Marlborough. I asked her if she could make an individual piece for me. There was no hesitation and Sarah fancied the challenge. Two weeks later a magnificent necklace arrived and was beyond my expectations. The end result is absolutely fabulous. A very happy customer” – Amanda Klapish