TARA TURNER
London
Photography by Iona Sherwood
Featuring Tara Turner
Tara Turner creates beautiful heirloom jewellery pieces from her London studio.
I have been admiring her work for a while and I especially love her infinity chain, which she constructs by hand, piece by piece.
ON CREATION:
The way I work is pretty intuitive, I don’t always start with a clear idea in my mind and often I just look at what’s in front of me and go with it.
Maybe there are some subconscious thoughts influencing me, but mostly, I just lay everything out and see what works.
When I was starting out, a lot of my designs were shaped by limitations. I didn’t have a lot of materials to work with, and being self-taught, I had to get pretty creative. The Infinity chain naturally emerged when I needed a way to connect links without soldering. My kids were young, so I wanted to keep toxic chemicals out of the house. Eventually, I found a technique to make each link by hand, strong enough to stand on its own. I love making those chains - I get totally lost in the process.
I’ve always been drawn to colour, and sometimes I’ll fixate on one for a while. Green shows up a lot in my pieces. I’m not sure what that says about me, but maybe it’s linked to my name. I was named Tara after the Green Goddess of Compassion, so who knows? Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to it!
I once came across a quote that really sums up how I feel about the process:
"It's what people do to gain a sense of control in a random and chaotic world. I think of art-making as a repetitive ritual, one that helps keep me sane." That really resonates with me. Creating isn’t just about the end result - it’s about getting immersed in the process.
ON INSPIRATION:
I’ve always loved stumbling across a hidden little treasure trove - the kind of place crammed with forgotten odds and ends, where every shelf and drawer holds the possibility of something special. You don’t see many of them around these days, so when I do find one, my heart starts racing. I think it goes back to the houses I grew up in - they had that same eclectic, overflowing vibe. Boxes piled high, drawers stuffed with all sorts of bits and pieces - a hoarder’s paradise, really.
There was always something that caught my eye, something I’d end up secretly squirrelling away under my bed - a rusty old Victorian thimble, a piece of sea glass with just the right colour.
I was always on the lookout for that one forgotten gem, the thing that didn’t quite belong.
I get the same feeling now when I’m hunting for new pieces. It always starts there. Some of my favourite places to find treasures have these neglected corners filled with bags of odds and ends - stuff nobody seems to want or can’t be bothered to sort through. That’s where I find my best pieces.
A few years ago, I was at a gem show, and there was this lovely old guy who had piles of Tupperware stacked up under his table. I asked if I could have a rummage and ended up finding the most beautiful old-stock emeralds from the Swat Valley in Pakistan. He was so sweet. We talked for hours, and he told me all about his travels and memories of home. I went back to see him again recently and found the most amazing fire opals that fit just perfectly in my cage pendants.
I don’t know what it is, but I’m just drawn to it. Maybe it’s a sixth sense for finding beauty where no one else is looking.
ON LIVING:
I work from home, and I honestly love it. Every morning, I start my day by dancing to music - it never fails to get me going but drives everyone else crazy! After that, I take our dog, Herbie, out for a long walk. I’m pretty lucky because there are loads of green spaces nearby. People don’t always realise it, but London is amazing for parks. I especially love Battersea and Richmond.
Most days, I’m busy creating, and I absolutely love it. I get so lost in my work that the days just fly by. I also really enjoy cooking, and we always sit down together as a family for dinner. It’s just something we’ve always made time for.
ON SHARING:
I think the way I discover each piece gives it a sense of sentimentality and connection. By the time I’m ready to share it with someone else, it already feels special to me. And somehow, the right person always comes along, ready to give it a new story.
Many of the charms I’ve collected over the years carry their own histories. I genuinely believe objects hold memories within them, so when I recast an old piece, it feels like I’m giving it new life - sending it back out into the world to gather new experiences.
I love that part of the process - creating something that just feels right for the person who ends up with it. It’s as if the piece was meant for them all along.
