Quizzing the Creatives: Layla Amber
Jewellery designer Layla Amber creates dreamy pieces that combine the right amount of fairtytale charm and simplicity. Here she shares her inspiration.
How does a typical work day pan out for you?
I start my day by having some breakfast and answering my emails. After this, I put together any orders I have received from my website and I then head off to my day job (via the post office), which is just a few minutes walk from where I live. I work in a lovely little art gallery, which I just love as it's full of wonderful art that I find really inspiring. I head home at 5pm and the evening is then mine to work on wholesale jewellery orders. This is my favourite part of the day. My boyfriend George and I often work together (he's a designer too) until quite late.
Where do you turn to for inspiration?
I find that inspiration can come from almost anywhere. I'm especially inspired by nature and wildlife. There are some beautiful places to walk around where I live in Suffolk, and I find taking a long relaxing walk can be really inspiring.
What has been your most interesting project to date?
My Woodland Collection has been my most interesting project to work on so far. These pieces are made with wood, so the design process is different to my previous jewellery collections, which are made in plastic. This process has allowed me to design differently. It has been really fun and I feel like I've learnt a lot from it.
The ultimate song to work to?
I put different music on depending on my mood. Sometimes I love really mellow ambient music and other times I feel like listening to something a bit more upbeat. I also like listening to the radio (I recently discovered Spotify radio, which is great) or catching up with any good television that I've missed, on my laptop.
Best part about what you do?
Just being able to be creative in my own way. I can't imagine a life where I wasn't making something. I have received such amazing feedback from my customers and knowing that what I do is being enjoyed by other people is pretty damn great!
What would be your dream creative project?
I'm lucky enough to be working on my dream creative project at the moment. George and I are in the process of converting an old carpenter’s workshop into our home. I've always been so interested by architecture and interior design, so working on this project with George and his Dad (who is an architect) is a dream come true. We're right in the middle of building at the moment and we're hoping it will be ready early next year. It's been amazing to be part of the whole design process and to get things just how we want them. I've been making jewellery on a desk in the corner of our bedroom for a few years now, so to have my own studio space will be heaven.
Favourite city in the world?
I have to admit I'm not really a city girl, but I do love visiting them for short breaks. I love London, as there is so much to see and do, but couldn't live there. I live in a beautiful little seaside town in Suffolk and I just love it.
Where is your favourite escape?
My favourite escape is a tiny little house about 30 minutes away from where we live. It's a one-up-one-down house right on the beach and it looks just like a doll’s house. Waking up and seeing the sun on the sea from your bed is pretty special. It's the perfect weekend getaway.
Favourite way to spend a Saturday?
The perfect Saturday for me would involve coffee and pastries on the beach for breakfast, jewellery making in the afternoon (with tea, biscuits and magazine breaks), then either a drink at our favourite pub with friends or a quiet night in with good food and weekend television.
What was your most memorable meal?
It would have to be when my lovely boyfriend cooked me a whole roast dinner from a beach hut on Valentine’s Day a few years ago. It was really romantic.
