Tucked away in a charming garden in Totnes, is the equally charming workshop of the incredibly talented Oonagh Knowles; A self taught metal-smith, who’s workshop has a delightful pixie like feel to it.
I’ve always admired Oonaghs work and have recently become the very proud recipient of a one-of-a-kind engagement ring commissioned by my beloved (yes I did send him to her). Her work has a lot of magical symbology paired with incredible detailing and an eye for beautiful stones. She is also a very modest, sweet woman who was kind enough to give me an interview despite being nervous of such things.
Oonagh, 23 from Totnes, discovered her love for metal-smithing when she did a basic course at the local adult learning centre.
after school I didn’t get along very well at college because I have ME [ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis] So, I struggled with my energy levels. It just didn’t work out very well. So I ended up doing nothing, a bit aimless for a couple of years. And I took a short course and it just clicked, it just ignited and I was like, this is it, this is what I’m going to do.
Although she doesn’t class herself as anything specific spiritually, there is a definite theme in her creations. She told me she feels a deep connection with the moon , not necessarily the Goddess aspect of it. Her logo is the triple moon combined with the elemental symbol for fire. She’s a fucking fire goddess!
traditional things like that [magical symbols],a lot of it is to do with the moon and the feminine. A lot of my jewellery, I say is ‘goddess jewellery’ because its about empowering women. That’s the feeling I want to give people wearing it.
I certainly feel that energy coming through Oonaghs creations. Having started out doing mostly commissions she explained to me how she’s been able to develop her own style and recently discovering a method of creating texture she calls ‘relic or ancient artefact’ texture. Using her scraps of silver and fusing it on. A detail I think really sets her jewellery apart. She has an incredible eye for doing small detail. There is a love knot on the inside of my ring that is so tiny it blows my mind she can create something so delicately miniscule.
Oonagh classes her-self as a gemstone addict, we took great delight in looking at all of the treasures in her workshop. Her favourites are the more iridescent stones especially opals, moonstone and labrodorites (same). When I asked her what her favourite part of the process was she answered instantly and without hesitation “firing!”.
Oonagh Knowles everybody: a gemstone addicted, self made, metal-smithing, talented as fuck young fire goddess!
Please do go and check out her exquisite work on any of the following links…
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peace out witches
Love Kate xxx
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