Meet the Maker: Spiral Sheep Designs

There are so many talented makers and creative small businesses across Wales, each with their own amazing story. Through our Meet the Maker series, we're getting to know some of the lovely people in this brilliant Welsh makers community and sharing a little more about what they do. 

This time, we're chatting with Meg from Spiral Sheep Designs to find out how it all began, what inspires her work and what goes on behind the scenes.

Tell us a little about you and your journey, how did your business begin, what inspired you to start?

I have always loved jewellery and being creative. I began my jewellery journey at a young age, creating jewellery from recycled and repurposed materials, clay and felt. Throughout my teenage years I was lucky enough to sell my jewellery in two shops in my hometown, Penarth having my first shelf at 14 and I was lucky enough take part in a few events, having my first 'stall' at 17 to raise money for Marie Curie under the name 'MCD Jewellery'. However, I then went off to uni and pursued other things…namely History and Teaching, but always wanted to try Silversmithing.

So I began trying to teach myself to work with metals in 2017, and that's when I thought up the name Spiral Sheep Designs. 'Spiral' because Spirals are a universal symbol across the globe and throughout history, often prominent in jewellery from all ages. And 'sheep' as often the Welsh are referred to as Sheep *******s (well I was always known as one at the English university I attended) and having just finished uni and having moved back to Wales in 2017, I wanted to reclaim the word Sheep and show how proud I am to be Welsh. So essentially the name Spiral Sheep Designs means Welsh jewellery.

However it wasn't until leaving Classroom Teaching and taking a Beginner's Silversmithing Evening Course in 2021 that I began to seriously focus working on Silver, Brass and Copper...and I fell in love with it so in 2022 Spiral Sheep Designs was properly launched! However, I have still kept the same ideals as my earlier creations, and use 100% recycled sheets, wire and chain for all of my pieces.

How does living and working in Wales influence your products or your business?

The Welsh influence can definitely be seen in my most popular designs, which range from my: ‘By the Sea’ collection’s Penarth sunrise and moonrise sea scene necklaces and earrings, influenced by my love of sea swimming; to my ‘On the Hills’ collection’s mountain day and night scene bracelets and rings, inspired by walking in the Brecon Beacons and beyond; in addition to my ‘In the Garden’ collection’s daffodil fields and floral scene earrings, necklaces and rings, which were shaped from spending time in my own and member’s of my family’s gardens in Wales. Being Welsh is also at the heart of my business, hence why I have a sheep (widely known as a symbol of Wales) as part of my logo/business name.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?

As well as getting to work with shiny things (and fire) I love bringing joy to people by sharing my craft with other likeminded nature loving people.

What does it mean to you when someone chooses to buy from you?

It still surprises me in a good way that people want to buy and wear my jewellery! When someone says I love the sea and your sea scene of, for example Penarth, really spoke to me, it makes my day. Or it's someone buying a present or a loved one or friend or a partner is trying to buy pieces quickly without being noticed. I also love seeing customers excited to show me that they're still wearing my pieces, daily after several years whether that's at markets, other local events or M & S! It means the world to me!

What does a typical day look like for you?

Early morning sea swim, workshop making time, pool swim or nature walk at lunch, send out orders, head to other work, come home and have a read.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
When I'm not working I love to spend time in and around the sea, hill/seaside/countryside walking or reading at home in my comfy reading nook with a cup of tea.

What's the best piece of advice or support you've received from another small business owner?

Set your prices at the beginning of your business very carefully (to attract the right customers from the beginning) to make sure your time is valued and included in the cost of pieces as well as other overheads.

What's one thing you've learned from running your own business that you wish you'd known at the start?

You can still support people of the same craft as you and still do well, one doesn't diminish the other.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the small business community?

Chatting to other likeminded people, and hearing their stories, as well as getting to know about (and buy) lots of their lovely products.

Why is supporting small, independent businesses so important to you?

You know who's made and/or designed your piece - also there is therefore usually much more clarity of where materials and/or ingredients are from, and usually small, independent businesses support other small, independent businesses for their materials/ingredients and choose more sustainable options which is better for the planet. Also there are so many unique pieces from small, independent businesses in Wales and in the UK - what's not to love?

Share one fun fact about yourself or your business

I have always been fascinated by Jewellery and wrote my History dissertation at the end of my undergrad on The Gemstones of Caerleon, long before I worked in Silver. I looked at the semi precious stones which used to be in signet rings called Intaglios and the symbols which were engraved on the stones, which held lots of different meanings to the wearer. I was inspired by the idea that from afar the stones just looked like Gemstones, but up close there was a design or symbol which had significance to the wearer - this translates into my jewellery designs as often my pendants, earrings and rings are mistaken for being hammered when they actually have a scene, shape or symbol important to the wearer on them. I love the idea that people are wearing my pieces as talismans for their authentic selves.

Do you have a favourite product? And what makes it special to you?

At the moment my Aurora Earrings. They started life as a custom order (in fact my first custom order in 2022, hence my favouritism) but everyone seemed to love them so much, so I've made them part of my celestial collection. They are also what I've currently been working on restocking this week (which is probably why they are my favourites atm!).

What are you currently working on or excited about next?

I need to make time (once I've finished restocking for Christmas as I've already done a teaser insta post) to make Rock Pool Sea Glass rings. I have sooo much seaglass from all over Wales, and wanted to find a way to use it in a unique way in my designs.