1.When and how did you start making jewellery?

I have been playing with beads since I was wee – there is a great shop in Edinburgh which had a tiny bead stand and my friends and I always used to buy beads from there and string up simple earrings. My Grandma also got me doing a bit of bead embroidery when I was very young. I started beading in earnest when I moved to Manchester in 2000.

2. Where do you go for inspiration?

I love having a browse through bead shops, especially when The Bead Shop have new stock in. I also love at looking at what other beaders are up to in books, magazines, on line etc. the Manchester Craft Centre is also a fantastic source of inspiration. And of course, nature, colours, architecture of other countries and cultures. Inspiration is everywhere if you look for it!

3. Who is your favourite designer?

I love Sherri Serafini’s work in bead embroidery – her work is stunning. Marcia deCoster, Rachel Nelson Smith and Jean Power are also all designers I admire. But I am mainly drawn to the work of folk such as Gaudi, Klimt, Hundertwasser, Kandinsky etc. I love their use of colour in particular.

4.What cant you live without when making jewellery?

Fireline thread! I wouldn’t use any other. It’s super strong.

5. What advice would you give to someone getting into jewellery making?

Be patient! Enjoy the process – that’s what it’s all about. Stick with it if a new technique seems complicated – you’ll get there in the end with time and patience. And if you get someone to show you or take a class, so much the better!

6. What makes you smile the most when making jewellery?

I just love putting pieces together a bead at a time. I love looking at how my pieces come together; there’s nothing like sewing/wiring in that final bead for job satisfaction! It is great to be able to share my skills with others when I’m teaching.

7. What advice would you give to someone thinking of setting up a business to sell their jewellery designs?

You’d be speaking to the wrong person! I love to create and to teach and don’t often sell my work – teaching and sharing beading with others is where my heart lies. I think whatever direction beading takes you, you need to devote time and patience to it.

8. Finally, whats your favourite piece of jewellery to make?

It depends where I’m teaching. Wire work is popular – people always love stuff with a bit of sparkle which is great as so do I! I have noticed bead weaving becoming more popular recently which is fantastic as it’s really where my heart lies.

9. Any thing else you would like to add?

Here’s a link to my blog songbeads.blogspot.com