Relocating to Islay
- Michelle
- Jul 26, 2023
- 1 min read
It's been just over a year now since we made the exciting move to the beautiful Isle of Islay, on Scotland's west coast.
A stunning rural island in the inner Hebrides, Islay is famous for Whisky (I'm a big fan of whisky and especially the local Bowmore!), sandy beaches and super friendly locals, or 'Ileachs,' that have given the loveliest of welcomes, thank you!
And it's absolutely the perfect location for continuing my jewellery practice, following a super busy few years graduating, exhibiting and being Artist In Residence at the Glasgow School of Art.
Image above: Bowmore, Isle of Islay
I have loved my year of settling in, getting on island time, and setting up my little studio space. (And maybe most importantly becoming dog mom to my adorable Schnoodle Yuffie!)
I'm now back at the bench around 3 days a week, alongside working remotely as a digital assistant for Chisholm Hunter, a commercial jewellery company where I worked as studio coordinator during my studies and residency. Chisholm Hunter have an office and jewellery workshop in Glasgow and it was wonderful to see so many Glasgow college and GSA graduates working as bench jewellers when I visited this month!
Image above: Kilnaughton Bay, Isle of Islay
I'd say I've fully settled into island life now and am ready to get back to designing, making and experimenting. I am also working on some exciting whisky related projects which I'll be visiting the Art School later this month to complete, I'll share news on that journey in my next post!
Until then - thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful day!
Michelle
I’m hoping to visit Islay soon, and reading about your Bowmore whisky projects makes me want to go even more. The way you describe the island and your studio sounds like a perfect setup. Smash Fest sounds like something I need to check out before I plan my trip.
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