With an insatiable passion for hands-on making Nora changed career, launched Aileach Moon Fine Jewellery and now makes full time.

A self-taught maker, she has been supported through internship and by specialist master craftsmen who have been so very generous with their time and knowledge. She values the protection of heritage making and its positive cultural, societal and environmental impacts.

Nora takes inspiration from the ubiquitous nature of emotion, an examination of female archetypes and female representation in art and society. Her design process begins with journalling and sketching. Lino-cutting and printmaking often form the backdrop to a collection, allowing space for development before individual pieces are born.

Using traditional skills and techniques her process continues through connection with the materials and gemstones during fabrication and through intricate hand-carving in wax and lost wax casting.

She makes one-of-a-kind pieces, small collections and works to commission using recycled precious metals.

When not at her bench she enjoys sharing the history and intrigue of her craft through talks and demonstrations, and by offering children and young people an opportunity to engage in hands-on making – she knows all too well that a tiny spark of an opportunity can ignite an inextinguishable passion for craft.