Vanessa Murtagh is a Jewellery Designer & Maker who works from her studio in Co. Kildare. She creates meaningful jewellery for women to feel empowered, embracing their own unique style.
Having learned her skills at both NCAD and then the School of Jewellery, Ireland under the tutelage of Paul Coyne, Vanessa launched her jewellery brand ‘Vanessa Ree‘ specialising in contemporary, handcrafted concept jewellery in early 2020, on the cusp of the pandemic.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
I start early as I can get loads done before other distractions take over my day. I tend to divide the week into design, making, marketing and business development so that I get more quality time for each task. I find it calms the mind and allows for greater productivity.
I always have music or podcasts playing to either help me concentrate and focus, get lost in the zone.
Depending on how busy I am, the afternoon gets squashed up between kids, domestic duties and whatever I’ve been working on earlier. Such is the life of a Creative Mompreneur.
What do you like most about your work?
Designing and experimenting – I have so many concept designs in my head, getting them out of there and into a 3D iteration of jewellery is definitely what I love most.
What do you like least about your work?
Social media – I appreciate what it can do but it takes up far too much time!
What’s your favourite craft item in your home?
Pictures – in pencil, acrylics, pastels, oils. We’ve collected them as we’ve travelled around the world and indeed at home. I love the visual inspiration, the colours and movement captured in a two dimensional world. And because we collect them from our travels, they always invoke happy memories.
I tend to divide the week into design, making, marketing and business development so that I get more quality time for each task.
Vanessa Murtagh
Jewellery Designer
What other maker in your discipline do you most look up to?
Emer Roberts – I love how brave she is with her wearable biology – it is such a richly versatile collection that firmly plants her in an International space.
What advice would you give someone who is considering this craft career?
You may love your craft, but you need to like the business of business!
How do you start your day?
At 6am I make a worthy coffee and head to the studio.I loves tis quite time and always get heaps done. Invariably I’m listening to my daily dose of podcasts at the same time.
What’s the first thing you do when you leave the studio?
Become Mom again!
