Aforetime will be back at Norwich Makers Market in May with their awseome one off creations. The new work is looking beautiful with some great tropical pieces and fantastic upcycled sunnies!
NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?
I make rather wacky, curious, pretty up-cycled jewellery with a vintage twist.
I studied Art and Design at Uni and have been in creative jobs one way or another ever since. I've not studied jewellery formally but have dipped into silver smithing and jewellery design as a unit in my degree. I've always been into the tiny, slightly weird and wonderful and have been creative since I was a wee nipper. I love retro style and have been collecting since I was a teenager. I think I mix all these parts of my life together in my pieces.
I make rather wacky, curious, pretty up-cycled jewellery with a vintage twist.
I studied Art and Design at Uni and have been in creative jobs one way or another ever since. I've not studied jewellery formally but have dipped into silver smithing and jewellery design as a unit in my degree. I've always been into the tiny, slightly weird and wonderful and have been creative since I was a wee nipper. I love retro style and have been collecting since I was a teenager. I think I mix all these parts of my life together in my pieces.
NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.
I'm based in Norwich. Aforetime is a part time things for me. My full time job is as a Learner Mentor at a College. So my typical day involves helping my students, walking round looking for interesting things that I can create with, going home and making bits while watching TV.
NMM - How long have you been making/designing/illustrating?
I've been creating since day dot. One way or another I have always been making things. However, as Aforetime I have been working since 2013 - ish. It wasn't a conscious decision to start a brand, it happened as a progression from an obsession for not wasting things , dealing in vintage stuff and making jewellery with the leftovers for a friend, then another friend and here I am.
I'm based in Norwich. Aforetime is a part time things for me. My full time job is as a Learner Mentor at a College. So my typical day involves helping my students, walking round looking for interesting things that I can create with, going home and making bits while watching TV.
NMM - How long have you been making/designing/illustrating?
I've been creating since day dot. One way or another I have always been making things. However, as Aforetime I have been working since 2013 - ish. It wasn't a conscious decision to start a brand, it happened as a progression from an obsession for not wasting things , dealing in vintage stuff and making jewellery with the leftovers for a friend, then another friend and here I am.
NMM - What inspires your work?
I pick up inspiration from everywhere. I have an obvious retro / vintage style and love past design especially art deco and mid century. I love nature and the natural world so get inspired by pretty animals , tropical fruit and the bright colours of the hot places in the world. I also have a very macabre side to me which I think has developed for my flare for discovering and adventure. So some of my collections are inspired by the natural world and the Victorians. I love historic style especially ancient Egyptians. In fact I love most of the ancient cultures and tribal designs.
I pick up inspiration from everywhere. I have an obvious retro / vintage style and love past design especially art deco and mid century. I love nature and the natural world so get inspired by pretty animals , tropical fruit and the bright colours of the hot places in the world. I also have a very macabre side to me which I think has developed for my flare for discovering and adventure. So some of my collections are inspired by the natural world and the Victorians. I love historic style especially ancient Egyptians. In fact I love most of the ancient cultures and tribal designs.
NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?
As mentioned I get a lot of my influences from general styles, genres and artists that are not necessarily designers. Though there are some designers I admire such as Josef of Hollywood and I love the fun nature of Alessi. And again not one designer but ancient Roman and Celtic jewellery.
NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?
I have done Norwich Makers Market once before and I loved it. I love the fact that there are so many good makers under one roof. You get inspired by them all. It's great to be part of a network and bounce ideas of each other. It is so friendly and fun. I also love the people that come to the market. They are so friendly and appreciate the craftsmanship behind the stalls. Sometimes you go to sell and people obviously don't take into account the things you are selling are your creations. But at the Makers Market I feel that customers do see the 'amazingness' behind the makers and respect them for their skill and creativity.
NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
I am online at www.aforetime.co.uk and I am always playing on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (afortimeuk)