Emma Jane Champley creates thoughtful pieces that are both beautiful and made to last. In this interview, she shares how a love of working with metal grew into a lifelong creative career, why she enjoys letting the making process guide her, and how curiosity and play continue to inspire every new design.
Tell us a little about your path into creating your brand.
‘It’s odd for me to think of my work and what I do as being a brand, and it isn’t something I intentionally created, rather something that has, and is, continually evolving alongside the work.
I went through the art school system and always knew that I wanted to be a designer and maker. Jewellery and Silversmithing was a good choice as a student because it allowed me to work and experiment with a range of materials and making techniques. I graduated in Jewellery & Silversmithing from Loughborough College of Art and Design in 1994. Then I worked at a leading studio in London’s Clerkenwell before moving to Ireland in 2003, where I now live with my family.
I’m a registered member of the DCCOI, a VEC tutor for the Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and a founding member of FORM Carlow.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
Where does the inspiration for your pieces come from?
If I am working on a commission, I like to be inspired by the customer’s brief.
There is something quite intimate about the designer/patron relationship. I feel honored to be allowed into their heads, as it were, they are trusting me to make something which has never been seen before by handing over their hard-earned money, and getting it right is just the best thrill for me.
If I am working on ready-to-wear pieces, I let the act of making inspire me.
Experimenting with materials, proportions, weights, and techniques at the bench feels like play and usually results in the best outcomes. Knowing when to stop is also key to my work. I think it is very easy to overdecorate jewellery, so I am always watching out for that.
What is your favourite material to work with?
Silver. I am so familiar with it at this stage that I can predict what it will do when worked. It is a well behaved material and super versatile.
Gold is wonderful too, but I don’t experiment with it the way I do with Silver as its price requires more restraint.
What is your favourite part of the design process?
I like to be surprised and open to the possibility of a design developing. Something which works on paper doesn’t always translate well into three dimensions.
Some of my favourite designs are happy accidents or designs that evolved at the bench.
Would you have any tips for those hoping to start a career in jewellery- something that someone had said to you when you were starting out?
Experiment with many materials and techniques.
Be open-minded, the creative path is a long, winding, exciting one.
Look after your back. I practice yoga daily, and it helps me enormously.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a full-time artist?
The most challenging aspect of self-employment is having to be relatively efficient at everything: designing, making, bookkeeping, accountancy, marketing, time management, public relations, etc.
In an ideal world I would just make all day long, everyday.
Do you remember the very first piece you made? What was it like?
Yes, the very first piece of metalwork I made is a small, round brass lidded box. I still have it and use it to store jewellery.
Was there a moment when you realized, “This is what I want to do”?
Yes, when I was doing my General Art and Design course in 1989, we were given the opportunity to try a variety of three-dimensional crafts. The strength and versatility of metal excited me more than any other material.
How did your style look in the beginning compared to now?
It was slightly more decorative, but the core elements have remained the same. I like to design in a way that allows me to be generous in materials, and that is paired down but still interesting or unusual.
Where do you most often find ideas for your pieces?
Through play at the bench.
Are there materials or textures that you feel especially drawn to?
For me, it is more about how different textures sit beside one another or interact. I also love the feel of articulated pieces, such as chain mail, which is fluid like fabric yet strong and labour intensive.
Describe your creative space.
My workshop is tiny, and cheap to heat in the winter! Every tool I employ is close to my jeweller’s bench and within reach. It is a very practical space and probably where I feel most at home.
What are your go-to tools or materials you couldn’t work without?
My Maun parallel pliers are an extension of my hands, and I don’t know how I would manage without them. Hammers are also essential in my work, the more the merrier!
How do you choose the materials for a new piece?
As most of my current work is commissions, it is very much down to the client and their budget.
Is your workspace neat and organized, or more free-flowing and creative?
When I’m in the middle of making my bench is very messy, but I always tidy up at the end of each day, and every tool has its home, so this is a quick, necessary, and super satisfying routine. I like to start each day with a tidy bench.
Do mistakes ever lead you to new ideas or directions?
Absolutely! Some of my best designs happened when I let the process show me unexpected outcomes. I think creativity is about embracing mistakes and running with them to see where they take you.
What have you learned about yourself through your creative journey?
Grace, patience, discipline, and to stay curious.
Are there risks you’ve taken in your work that really paid off?
Working with expensive gemstones can be nerve-wracking, but fingers crossed, I haven’t had any major disasters so far.
What are the most rewarding parts of your work?
Customer satisfaction every time.
How do you stay motivated and keep moving forward?
It’s easy as I love what I do….I can’t imagine sitting in an office 9 to 5, I am blessed to call this creative life my work.
Where can people see your work?
On my website or by appointment.
www.emmajanechampley.com
emmajanechampley@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/emmajanechampleyjewellery
www.instagram.com/emmajanechampleyjewellery
Rapid Fire Fun:
Favorite tool in your studio? Maun parallel pliers
One word to describe your work? Considered
Sketchbook or digital notes? Sketchbook, I love to sketch
A place that always sparks ideas? The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
What brings you joy right now? Working, sunshine, and surfing.
Interview posted June 2026
Explore more jewelry inspiration and projects on Create Whimsy