Satsuki May

Q&A with Satsuki May who makes intricate and delicate jewellery using semi-precious stones and crystals.

What made you become interested in jewellery?
I was born in Tokyo into a craft loving family,  I have always loved making things, using my hands, and being creative,   About three years ago, I started jewellery making and discovered it is wonderful medium of creativity for me, I really enjoy experimenting with different styles and wearing my designs.

What inspires you?
London is such an amazing eclectic city, ideas can come from anywhere, from what I hear, taste, touch and smell, too. The smell of Indian curry gives me a colour palette of red, saffron yellow and green, and the sounds of train passing outside my flat reminds me of oxidised hammer textured metal.  I love exploring London and looking for the little details in architecture both modern and historic, spending time in art galleries and museums and wandering London's many green spaces - especially the changing nature found on Hampstead Heath.

The materials you use and why?
I mostly use wires and metal sheet, the reason being they are very versatile, I add glass, semi-precious gemstones and crystals for colour and sparkles. 

What makes your jewellery unique?
I like tiny twists in my jewellery here and there that make each piece a little weird and wonderful.  My work is very delicate and detailed and often very labour intensive. I will continue to experiment and develop new techniques along my artistic journey.

We are showcasing Satsuki May's full range of jewellery in store during March and April.  With a small selection on line too.  

Featured Artist - Nina Dogmetchi

How excited were we this week to take delivery of our first order of a wonderful book and to hear the uplifting story from its' creator about how she is 'living her dream'?

Nina Dogmetchi has lived in Archway for most of her life - It was an absolute pleasure to have her work at map gift shop briefly back in 2000.   Since then her career has taken her on an exciting and colourful journey through textile designer in New York, Artist in Residence at Eton College to Graphic Designer at 2 major sportswear labels in Germany.

In 2013 Nina took the daring decision to quit her job at Adidas and set up her own company Imagination Illustrated.  In January this year Nina made a Kickstarter pledge to help fund a small run of "The Lazy Leopard" a book she had both written and illustrated.

"The Lazy Leopard is a story about the importance of dreams, change, and becoming your true self. The Lazy Leopard loves to live his life through his dreams... he sleeps for so long that his beautiful colorful spots drift up and turn to distant stars.


Often in life it can be hard to join our dreams with reality, we can find ourselves lost, realising we are not the colourful leopard we once were... In the story the Lazy Leopard finally makes the effort to change and with the help of his friends he is painted with new spots and ready to live his dreams out for real."

In March 2014 the project was fully funded and Nina's dream became reality with the first limited edition run of The Lazy Leopard in hardcover!  This modern day fable is beautifully illustrated in Nina's distinctive style.  Her prints, cards and other illustrations are for sale on her own online shop, read more about her inspiring story and see more of her work here! Her notebooks and hardcover copies of  "The Lazy Leopard" are on sale instore and online at map gift shop here.  

Click on the photo to watch Nina's charming little movie

Nina is currently working on her next book  'The Bird who Swallowed the Moon' - we can't wait!