Spotlight On: Hayley Irving

Spotlight On: Hayley Irving

Hayley Irving graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 2020 with a degree in Jewellery and Metal Design. Hayley’s work is inspired by her life growing up in Possilpark, Glasgow, drawing on the derelict buildings and graffiti she passed on her walks to and from school. Her work incorporates materials such as wood, resin, jesmonite and stones recycled from old costume jewellery to create a variety of bold colourful pieces. Hayley’s work reflects her belief in the beauty of of objects and materials others may simply cast aside. Hayley’s work was featured in our 2020 Graduate Showcase at Elements. We caught up with Hayley to learn more about her work and career in her first year since graduation.

I have always been creative and dreamed of being a fashion designer when I was younger. This led me to do a HND in textile design at college. I applied for direct entry into textiles at university but I didn’t get in, so I carried out the foundation course at DJCAD. This allowed me to try a variety of different things including the jewellery workshop. This is when I realised I had a love for making. I felt like I had got what I wanted from doing textiles and it was time for me to learn a new skill and do jewellery.

Why did you decide to follow this career path?

Before I started my jewellery journey I had this preconceived notion that it had to be metal work and that was daunting as I had never done anything like that before. However, in my first year at DJCAD I took part in a resin workshop and instantly fell in love. It allowed me to see the possibilities of where you can go with jewellery and this is why I wanted to start my career in the industry.

'“Small but jesmonMIGHTY” Rings

Can you tell us what you are doing in your career right now and what you are currently working on?

For the last year I have been focusing on trying to establish myself as a brand. I have just moved house so I am in the process of setting up a studio space for me to work in. Recently I have been working on custom orders of my “Small but jesmonMIGHTY” rings. These are rings I created as part of my degree show that I had no intention of selling but they got such a positive response I started making them for sale.

This has really allowed me to see how far I have come in the last year since graduating and it has allowed me to refine my ideas and progress my skills.

In the next few weeks I will be starting as a jewellery assistant in a studio which I am looking forward to.

“Small but jesmonMIGHTY” Rings

Where do you draw your inspiration from in your work?

I grew up in a deprived area of Glasgow in a female dominated tenement flat, so I was aware from a very young age the effects of poverty. We were lucky enough to have a working family but I was always taught to respect what you had regardless of the material or price. I tried to see the best in everything and in amongst the derelict buildings there was always brightly coloured graffiti which in an odd way brought me joy. It was colour amongst very dark and grey coloured buildings, which feeds into my work now.

I have always had a fascination with very large, over-the-top costume jewellery as I remember most Friday nights after working long hours my mum and gran would get dressed with very large glittery statement jewellery and somehow made something that was £10 look extremely glamorous and expensive. We also had a neighbour who never left the house without her clip on earrings and sparkly jumpers which i was fascinated by.

No matter how hard things got, these women always managed to get through things which I fully admire, so my inspiration is them and the strength they have always shown.

Jesmonite Coasters and Polymer Clay/Resin Earrings

How would you describe your design style?

I create pieces with a reminiscence of childhood joy through bright colours with a fashion edge.

I use unconventional materials alongside jesmonite meaning no pieces are ever the same.

Tell us about the practice and methods you have developed in your work.

I have always been a collector of things and have boxes filled with beads and gems, etc.— these are all items used in my work.

In a world of fast fashion I believe that people have lost a connection with jewellery as you can purchase it so cheaply from the high street. I take old costume jewellery that was destined for the bin and use the gemstones in my work. I believe my attitudes towards materials come from my upbringing and I allow myself to see beauty in things others may regard as rubbish.

I allow the materials to guide my designs. I never fully know how something is going to turn out until I take it out of the mould and start building it up, and for me, that is exciting.

“Small but jesmonMIGHTY” Rings

What is next for you this year?

I have recently gotten a job as a jewellery assistant in My Cherry Pie studio in Kirkcaldy, where I hope to build up my skills as a maker.

I also hope to continue my own brand, creating new designs and ideas.

You can keep up to date with what I am doing over on my Instagram @i_rvingjewellery.

Images by Hayley Irving