WEARINGIRISH showcases top designers/brands from Ireland. In this series, meet the designers and hear their stories. Here Margaret chats with Ruth McEwan-Lyon of NI Silver. Visit nisilver.com for more!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.
My name is Ruth, and I run nisilver.com from my home studio in Holywood, Northern Ireland (NI). I make quality Irish jewelry that represents home and where your ancestors lived. I also undertake commission work and host bespoke/VIP beginner’s jewelry-making workshops. Memories of Ireland are closer than you think!
WHAT WAS THE MOST DEFINING MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER?
The most defining moments of my career are following my creative passion and realizing that with lots of hard work I can achieve running my own successful business around my family whilst keeping our own and my father’s name alive forever. #livingthedream
WHAT’S YOUR AMBITION FOR YOUR BRAND? To leave my mark around the world so that someone will look at a piece of jewelry in years to come and, after researching the hallmark, will know my name and when I made it. Knowing that I have enough of a following to keep my business successful, unique and bespoke enough while reaching a more global market. I don’t want to grow into a big brand; I thoroughly enjoy the level of success that the brand has achieved. HOW YOU WOULD DEFINE THE HEART AND SOUL OF YOUR BRAND? It sounds cliché, but customer service is the heart and soul of my brand. I am a sole trader who works tirelessly to give my clients exactly what they want. I work far too many hours, but I’d rather my jewelry family were pleased, so that pleasure gives me the ultimate sense of fulfillment. WHERE DOES YOUR BRAND NAME COME FROM? Most other jewelry artists use their name as their brand. I wanted something different that would let my customers remember me if they couldn’t remember my name, so coming from Northern Ireland (N.I.) and making silver jewelry seemed an obvious choice: NI Silver. WHO IS YOUR DREAM MUSE? My dream muse is Sophie Peirce-Evans, aka Lady Mary Heath, for her courage, bravery and dogged determination. I have always tried to live my life this way and experience everything when the opportunities present themselves. You only get one shot, after all! My life has been a myriad of unusual experiences and living it to the full. #noregrets WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT THE WEARING IRISH MOVEMENT? I love the boldness of the WearingIrish movement. We are small, but we are mighty creative, and our designs are world-class. Helping each other along the business journey is also very important to me and being part of this group is a real privilege. I want locals, expats, tourists, historians, trendsetters and silver surfers to wear Irish jewelry. Everyone deserves something that evokes memories of Ireland and what better way than to wear something precious close to your heart. TAKE US THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS. I use various traditional jewelry-making techniques to create my pieces. Generally drawing, then piercing (hand-sawing) out a piece of silver/gold, filing it down, texturing and shaping it before soldering, polishing and finishing it. Other techniques involve carving wax and casting or melting metal to create unique forms. HOW DOES A SENSE OF PLACE INFORM YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS— SPECIFICALLY IRELAND? I returned to Belfast when the country was starting its revitalization/restoration process, and the energy around Northern Ireland was infectious. I wanted to create a “little piece of home” for everyone to send out worldwide, something valuable and wearable, allowing them to touch/feel home (Ireland) again. WHAT DOES BEING IRISH MEAN TO YOU AND IN WHAT WAY HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR CREATIONS? Living overseas for years has taught me that being Irish makes you the most friendly and acceptable nation in the world, hands down, ergo anything made here is sought-after! MOST COVETED ITEM IN YOUR COLLECTION? Our beautiful solid silver or gold 20g Dara Knot pendant, which represents the sacred Oak tree empowering leadership, strength and wisdom. THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? I am not known for my dress sense, but I love wearing my lip gloss and earrings. TELL US ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT I DIDN’T ASK. Oh my goodness, lots of worldly life experiences, but to name two, I have flown on the Concorde before it was retired and have recently dived in the Maldives with whale sharks!
WHO DO YOU WANT TO WEAR IRISH?
Family, work and being outdoors.
YOUR GO-TO STYLING TRICK?