Kilkenny-based jewellery designer, Inga Reed designs in sterling silver and 18k gold, making good use of gems and pearls in her designs. Inga’s sculptural designs are contemporary but not too wacky. Every part of the jewellery is made by Inga, even down to the fastenings.

“I have been making jewellery in Ireland for 30 years. My present studio is based in beautiful countryside in County Kilkenny. Inspiration for my work can come from subjects diverse as plumbing components or seed heads found around my home but ultimately it is the materials and making process that shape the design.
The basic techniques used in creating my work are those that have been used for hundreds of years in jewellery making, namely, piercing, filing, forging & soldering.
Although my work ranges from hard-edged simplicity to the soft & feminine the methods of surface finish are similar.
Currently much of my work is decorated with embossed pattern. I like to leave the metal matte when combining silver with gold as it brings out the contrast in pattern and colour.
Depending on the designs I may also oxidise the silver to create a lustrous black finish or gold plate areas to create pattern. I often use strands of semi-precious stones or coloured cords to suspend my pendants.”