A mixed media artist passionate about protecting human rights, animals, and the environment

A vegetarian, environmentalist, and animal lover, I enjoy reading, gardening, music, dance, singing, languages, theatre - and, of course, creating. I am fortunate to share my home with three artistic cats - Camille (Claudel), Frida (Kahlo), and Diego (Rivera).

The name of my shop was inspired both by my own last name and by the title of Noel Coward's classic play Blithe Spirit (1941). Coward took his title from the first line of Shelley’s poem "To a Skylark” (1820) (see below). "Blithe" is an Old English word meaning "joyful," and my creations are an expression of my own “blithe spirit.”

My first steps in jewellery making began when I fell in love with semi-precious stones, realizing that just touching them could bring a sense of peace, harmony, and groundedness, and set about creating jewellery (for both men and women) that evoked a sense of oneness with nature and the universe. Animals in various forms were a frequent presence in my creations, and my work also celebrated various spiritual and cultural traditions.

I then began experimenting with other techniques and materials, focusing on making one-of-a-kind items with polymer clay, including high-quality refillable pens (regular and fountain), purse mirrors, pill boxes, lightswitch covers, containers of all kinds, wrist cuffs, pendants, and magnets. Playing with clay has become a passion that allows me to expand my creativity and explore the worlds of fantasy, steampunk, Medieval, and Renaissance art.

The possibilities are endless, and I'm always exploring new techniques, creating mixed media pieces that incorporate metal chains and charms and a wide range of finishing products including Pan pastels, swellegant, gilders paste, mica powders, alcohol inks, and Pébéo paints. Recently, I've also begun making magic wands, steampunk hats, and amigurumi-inspired fantasy creatures such as Dobby, Mandrakes, and voodudes.

As an environmentalist, I aim to use nature- and animal-friendly materials – preferring to use pleather to leather - for example, as well as fair trade items such as Karen Hill Tribe silver.

"Hail to thee, blithe spirit! Bird thou never wert, That from Heaven, or near it, Pourest thy full heart In profuse strains of unpremeditated art"
- Percy Bysshe Shelley