Jump rings, chandeliers & birds of paradise - The inspiration behind Toolally's designs

So many things inspire me. When I get asked to define the one thing that prompted a certain design or colourway, it's a challenge because every piece of Toolally jewellery comes from a different place.

I have always loved art in its many shapes and forms. Sculpture excites me as much as art on a wall and the artistry of fashion has been an abiding passion of mine.

Nature too plays a huge part in our creations. When I look at a bird of paradise flower, for instance, I want to capture it. The colour combinations. The outrageous forms. The sheer presence of it and the way it demands your attention.

And if I find myself staring at a blank piece of paper, the Art Deco period never fails to ignite ideas in me. There was an audacity to the era which has never been seen since. Can you imagine how people must have felt to have lived through times with so much beauty, elegance and glamour everywhere they looked?

Art Deco was a design triumph, right down to the light fittings. It brought a style which is as irresistible today as it would have been back then.

My happy place

When I'm making jewellery I find it one of the most relaxing pastimes. Nothing makes me happier than when I realise I have got a colour combination right, or a shape sits well with another and it really works.

And when I see one of my designs on someone and how it transforms their look and how happy it makes them, I know I'm doing something right.

Which brings me to another inspiration: you. All you lovely people who wear our designs and share your photographs and look absolutely fabulous and make us look great. Thank you!

Art Deco inspiration

If I could have lived at any other time, it would have been the 1920s - a time marked by the women's liberation movement, a prosperous economy and exciting advances in technology.

A classic Art Deco shape, the fans have been a recurring theme in my designs, flourishing in so many colourways. They were an instant hit when they launched in 2016.

A key theme in the fashion of the era was progressive modernity; a look embodied by the gorgeous flapper girls. Progressive modernity expressed itself through geometric, angular shapes - a style reflected in a number of our designs.

The Art Deco era heralded the arrival of the Silver Screen goddess, and our Art Deco Chandeliers could have been designed to grace the ears of stars like Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo. In fact they were designed to grace the eras of Lara Stone for British Vogue's August 2015 cover story.

The Art Deco Chandeliers, as worn by Lara Stone and shot by Mario Testino for British Vogue, August 2015. This moment marked the beginning of Toolally's journey.

Mid-century inspiration

In the words of Mary Quant:
"Fashion should be fun"

The 1960s marked a transition from the exceptionally feminine 50s to a freer, more casual, fun approach to fashion. Mary Quant was the driving force, alongside The Beatles, and the Mod (or Chelsea) movement in London.

Monochrome, bold shapes and asymmetry work as well today as they did then.

Art & Sculpture inspiration

Yorkshire-born Barbara Hepworth showed an audacity which combined circles and squares to perfection. Her sculptures were meant to be handled and touched. You don't just look with your eyes!

Named after the legendary artist herself, we've got various striking modernist designs.

Birds & Nature inspiration

All Toolally acrylic jewellery is handcrafted in our beautiful studio, nestled between the Yorkshire and Lancashire hills. We draw inspiration from the colours, shapes and textures that surround us.

The Gossamers are inspired by the gentle, petal-like wings of a moth or butterfly. These creatures embody a sense of gossamer-like luxury - elegant, airy and intricate.

One of the earlier Toolally designs was the Peacocks, which featured in an editorial by Lucinda Chambers, fashion editor of British Vogue from 1992 to 2017. In the piece she credited Toolally with "...nailing the jewellery brief".

We have many nature-inspired jewellery pieces, from the Daisy Hoops and Flower Drops, to the Flower pearl huggies and the Gossamers.

Colour

"The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks good on you."
Coco Chanel

At Toolally, we love colour and the incredible palette available made our choice of what material to use for our jewellery an easy one. Acrylic is amazing - bold and colourful or stylishly subtle. It's great to work with and best of all - especially when it comes to earrings - it's lightweight.

What next?

Thank you to all our lovely customers for your continuing support- keep following Toolally's journey to see where inspiration will strike next!

Mags x

Shop our best-sellers:

Art Deco Chandeliers - £45

Hepworths - From £40

Arrowheads - From £45

Gossamers - £45

Daisy Hoop Earrings - £45