How the braiding started …

After finding an unusual antique necklace at an auction house my passion for Japanese Kumihimo began.

After much research I fell in love with the ancient braiding techniques, especially Celtic braids how they have a meaning, tell a story and are often worn as talisman and lucky charms, and even developed my own technique ‘Wirehimo’ Braiding with coils.

Journey so far …

•1988 - Cardiff College (now University of Wales Cardiff) Level 3 Art & Design

•1990 - present day, recrafting antique and vintage jewellery, Collector, etc developed wirehimo, studying braids from around the world, silversmith, metalsmith, enamelist, Pearlist and all things Jewellery making

•2015 and 2016 - Jewellery Maker Live TV Guest Designer

•2016 - Craft now Tv, Sir Richard Branson’s Voom Competition -’Giving the gift of creativity’.

•2018 and 2019 ‘The Big Bead Show, London - Demonstrator, Meet the Designer, Workshops.

•2019 - Level 1 Pendants - Silversmithing - Swansea College

•2020 & 2023 Jewellers Academy Business Bootcamp

•2021 - PMC Metal Clay levels 1,2 & 3

•2021 -2022 Jewellers Academy London - Diploma in Silver Jewellery

• Present day - Jewellery Artist

• 2023 - Living the life I love in Pembrokeshire x

Helen is also a Gold member of the Guild of Jewellery Designers.

Jewellers Academy Life Member.

Registered with the Goldsmiths Hall London.

Thank you for supporting our small family business xxx

Why not follow Helen on social media..

Helens Jewellery Making Journey ….

For over 35 years I worked in the family business, a country holiday home for cats and dogs, growing up surrounded by all sorts of animals including horses and donkeys.

Being creative I studied at Cardiff College qualifying in Art & Design. As an artist specialising in Illustrations and Lithography, I worked as a Printer and Graphic Designer for many years. Later working for local government and the private sector, further achieving an MSc in Occupational Health, Occupational Safety & Wellbeing.

Over 25 years ago, as a hobby, I started making and re-crafting vintage and antique jewellery. During this time my passion for pearl knotting, Celtic handbraiding, kumihimo, gemstones and silversmithing developed.

Creating the life I love …

The Studio is a great place to create and bring dreams into a 3D reality. From my mind to the hands and out into the world ! But my inspiration has changed so much over the last 30 years especially as I now split my week in two !

I spend most of my days creating my new youtube studio vlog - youtueb Helen OConnor filming a day in a life, tutorials and jewellery making on the beaches of pembrokeshire.

I truly feel I am living the life I love and so happy to be sharing with all of you through my new Youtube Studio Vlog Channel.