Katie Mullally, a designer from Tunbridge Wells whose name you need to remember! I started following Katie on Twitter after speaking to a mutual friend and soon fell in love with the uniqueness of her vintage inspired jewellery with a modern twist.
Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to Katie's studio. Katie Mullally started her business in 2010 after growing up in a family with a passion for silver. After finishing school Katie went to work at her Grandmother's antique business and was taught the importance of quality jewellery. Katie showed me the "hallmarking bible", Jackson's Hallmarks, which her Uncle contributed his words to. Without hallmarking Katie wouldn't want to be in the industry, it would be like an artist not signing their work. With each piece of jewellery being a part of what Katie symbolises, she ensures each is hallmarked by Goldsmith’s Company Assay Office in London. Hallmarking is not just important for the producer but for the consumer too. The earlier you buy your piece of hallmarked jewellery the more valuable it becomes and the more thankful your grandchildren will be!
Katie is also very proud, and rightly so, that her jewellery is made here in the United Kingdom. Working alongside four local silversmiths, each with thirty years experience the jewellery available at Katie Mullally is solid sterling silver or gold plated on sterling silver, only the best darling!
Katie Mullally is an investable brand for both of these reasons and I haven't even started on the designs themselves!
I was soon whisked to see the jewellery and was quick to try them on - all of them! There are currently three different chains available to buy for your charms. This is a great picture to see the different lengths, long adjustable 32" to 36", 24" curb chain and the 18" curb chain. More is definitely more in my world! Dependant on outfit all three chains complement each other and the charms beautifully or can stand alone simplistically well. Large bails are designed on the pieces where possible to allow the wearer to add the piece to any thickness of chain, several pieces can be bunched together on one chain creating your own charm necklace, a truly unique pendant.
Now that was just the chains, imagine my delight when I was in front of all of her charms to. Here is a selection of my favourites!
Large wishbone, The Crown and Whistle Charm
The Buddha Charm
Anchor Pendant
Small Wishbone
Large Stag Pendant
Ok so I have a lot of favourites and this isn't even half of them! For the whole collection check out her stockists, these include British entrepreneur Amber Atherton's online phenomenon My Flash Trash and department store Fenwick in Tunbridge Wells. With even bigger stockist news in the 2014 horizon, HUGE news!
OR you can simply cut and paste www.katiemullally.co.uk into your browser, search the jewellery, paste into an email, send to your other half and title CHRISTMAS ! (Males often need a helping hand and they too will be thankful for the link of wonderful choice)
As for me, it was right there. Only a fool would have walk out of the studio empty handed! My heart was simply set on the quintessentially quirky peg design. I love the fact that it is random and a great conversation starter..why not wear a gold peg!
I was also introduced to Katie's 2013 design, the Yes/No charm, silver plated this item is pure genius! A fun attractive charm to wear, I simply couldn't say no!
And finally, I had to buy the wishbone (large obvs) which I had been lusting over for months! Stunning, truly stunning!
A perfect day all round, one extremely happy Mini with my new bling and even more so because Katie and I are talking about a few projects together...yes that's right you heard we are hopefully going to be working together on some events in 2014! Watch this space ......
