Tea and a Chat with.....

The lovely Jenny Doyle from JenDoyleDesigns

Tell us a bit about what you do?

My name is Jen Doyle and I am a jewellery and hair accessories designer, and I specialise in bridal design. I am based in fabulous Donegal where I only have to go outside for inspiration.. I am hugely inspired by nature.

I kind of got into jewellery making in a roundabout way- and I blame my 6 year daughter! It was while pregnant with her that it all began. I went into a local shop to get a few bits and pieces and came out with a magazine about jewellery making. My business has basically grown from that moment. I started making stuff for friends and family, and then progressed to jewellery parties, and in 2008, I found myself taking orders for bridal jewellery. I began doing hair accessories after a bride to be, upon being told that I only made jewellery, said ''well for goodness sakes you have beads and wire don't you?''. I went out and bought a couple of books, learned a few techniques and then put my own slant on it to make my pieces that little bit different.

I have always been 'arty'- (I do a lot of drawing / painting as well) so I love to experiment with things to see what I can do, I like to push the limits to grow my skills so you never know what could appear in my shop LOL!

If you weren't a crafty type, what would you be doing?

It's hard to imagine my life without some form of art in it, but if I didn't do what I do for a living.. I think I would either be a horse vet, because I adore horses and being outdoors, or a pilot, because I took a flying lesson once and the sense of freedom I got with the whole sky to play in was like nothing in the world!..bit pricey though :) Or failing either of those two, a photographer.

Give us some of your favourite designer/fashion peeps!

I have always pretty much marched to the beat of my drummer and have never really followed trends/designers as such.....but when working with brides, you can't help but be aware of the different dress designers and I absolutely love the work of Claire Pettibone, her dresses are so romantic!

Any amazing blogs that you'd like to share?

www.reneejulia.com (amazing photographer)

http://www.castlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/ (inspirational)

www.mias.blogg.se

(Mia is an amazing person who has been through more than a person should have to go through in life and she still keeps going onwards and upwards!)

www.abby-wynne.blogspot.com (She has some very interesting things to say!)

What are your top 5 films of all time?

High Society

Lord of the Rings

Sound of Music

King Arthur (2004 version)

Horse Whisperer

What was your mother always right about?

Well, she always told me that you have to make your own path in life, because no one else can make it for you, and that life is very much what you make it to be. And she is right! (damn it lol!)

Finally, Where can we find you?

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/JenDoyleDesigns

Blog: http://www.doylejewellerydesign.blogspot.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jendoyledesigns

Youtube: www.youtube.com/users/jendoyledesigns

Now, stop on by and share the love!