A Return to the Wild

After such a hot and sunny summer, the shift into autumn feels gentle and calming. An invitation to slow down. Evenings are starting to feel cosy, there’s a crispness to the mornings, and I’m just itching to get the fire lit and candles out!

Over the last few months, something special has been quietly taking shape in my studio, inspired by moonlit nights, rustling leaves, and those rare, magical encounters with wild animals.

Back in 2012, my very first collection was filled with woodland animals that truly set the tone for everything I’ve created since. Owls, foxes, hares, and other woodland creatures made up the designs, each one crafted from birch and decorated with bold, contrasting geometric patterns.

This photo is from one of my first stalls, in Norwich, where it all began. These designs were much loved in those early days, and I still hear the sweetest stories from customers who remember them fondly, or who still treasure and wear some of these pieces to this day. Hearing those memories always makes me smile.

Over time, my Woodland Collection quietly made way for new designs, but the animals have always held a very special place in my heart. I found myself missing them, and it felt only right to bring them back, especially since they’re such a big part of how my jewellery journey began.

So I’m very happy to say, that some of the woodland creatures have been redesigned and reimagined, ready for a new chapter…

Owls take centre stage in this new collection of wildlife designs. There’s something truly rare and magical about the sight of a barn owl gliding silently through the night sky, or the soft echo of a distant hoot. These majestic creatures, together with starry skies and the glow of a full moon, have been my muse for these latest pieces.

With these new designs, I wanted to capture not just the creatures themselves, but the organic, untamed feeling of the countryside, with its wild meadows and open skies.

Lately, I’ve been spending more time out in the countryside, wandering through fields and meadows with Ted by my side. It’s an endless source of inspiration. On these walks I’ve been lucky enough to see lots of wonderful wildlife, including hares darting through the grass.

I’ve always found hares to be enchanting. That wild, untamed glint in their eye, paired with the beauty of wildflowers and meadow grasses, inspired this design, with delicate illustrations etched across the hare’s leaping body.

Much of my earlier work has been defined by bold, graphic detail, but this time I longed for something softer, more delicate. Wood can be a tricky canvas. The laser cutter only allows for so much fine detail before the material becomes too fragile, but I was determined to find a way.

I began layering tiny illustrations of meadows, scattered stars, and night skies across the animals, adding a new depth of storytelling yet keeping the pieces strong and wearable.

For now, the range begins with a small but thoughtful selection of woodland creatures. They’re a gentle nod to where it all began, with plenty of room for new wild friends to join in the future!

I hope you love them as much as I do. All of my new autumn designs are available now along with many more pieces inspired by this wonderful season.

Happy autumn, friends.

Layla x