Q: What role has jewellery played in your life?

Client:
Jewellery has been an important part of my identity for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I would carefully choose which pieces to wear each day, and I managed to get away with wearing a dozen bangles, hoop earrings, and a necklace to school! It's become part of how I express myself, so I'm quite picky when it comes to what I wear. I’ve curated my jewellery box over a lifetime—each piece is selected with intention, combining beauty, function, and the voice of the maker.

Q: How do you feel about the jewellery you've collected over the years?

Client:
There’s magic when a piece brings together form, function, and uniqueness. That’s what makes a piece successful to me—it's the one I reach for the most, and I know it’s always at the front of my jewellery box, ready to wear. My May Hofman pieces take up that prime spot more than any others. Rosie's work stands out because it’s chic, different, and most importantly, wearable. I wear her pieces almost every day—they've become a staple of my wardrobe.

Q: How did the idea of redesigning old jewellery into something new come about?

Client:
I’ve always had this idea. I’ve got two jewellery boxes—one full of the pieces I wear all the time, and the other holds very special items that I don’t wear. These are pieces like my wedding jewellery, passed down from my grandmother and my mum, or gifts that marked a milestone. Some of them carry such personal meaning that I couldn’t dream of changing them, but others, as beautiful as they are, just sit there. I don’t like to think of them as ‘stuff’—there’s too much of that in the world. I wanted to find a way to transform those unworn gifts into something I could wear and treasure every day

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Q: Tell us about the bespoke piece you designed with Rosie. What was the inspiration behind it?

Client:
This year, my partner wanted to get me something special for my birthday. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to redesign some pieces from my teens—two pairs of earrings from my mum and a pendant from my grandmother. I’d been thinking of a Russian wedding ring—three interlocking bands—and when I reached out to Rosie, she was immediately on board. Together, we designed an interlocked trio of Indian gold rings in her Rune style, but with the triangle motifs I love from her work.

The rings are just slightly oversized, so I can fidget with them, which is an important detail for me. My partner described them as looking like a ‘brand new ancient artefact,’ which I love. The gold is 22k, so it’s soft and malleable, and over time, as I wear and fidget with them, they subtly change shape—it feels like the rings are evolving with me.

Q: How did you feel about working with Rosie on this piece, especially from a distance?

Client:
Even though Rosie had moved up North, working together over WhatsApp was so easy. It was such a collaborative process—Rosie really understood my style and how to merge it with her own design elements. The end result was something deeply personal to me and my partner, and I can wear it every day. Plus, we had some leftover gold from the earrings, so Rosie made a beautiful pair of gold studs as a bonus. They’re perfect for my third piercing and hard to find in that size!

Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about investing in bespoke jewellery?

Client:
I’d say to anyone who loves jewellery—buy less, but make it count. Save up and have your favourite jeweller create something just for you. It’s worth the investment, and wearing something that’s uniquely yours, designed with meaning, brings so much joy. My ‘new old’ jewellery is perfect, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Bespoke Jewellery - Rosie's Approach:

At May Hofman, we believe jewellery should carry meaning, not just adornment. Each commission is a journey where we work closely with clients, like in this case, to create something that’s not only beautiful but imbued with personal history and significance. Our bespoke designs blend the timeless craftsmanship of the past with modern, wearable styles that will be cherished for years to come. Whether re-purposing old pieces or creating something entirely new, every detail is designed with care, ensuring each creation feels as unique as the individual who wears it.

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