The Story Behind Paper2pearls: Handmade Jewellery With a Literary Twist

As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved being creative and love trying out different crafts. One of my earliest memories, of when I was about three or four, is of wandering into my father’s workshop and proudly making little “masterpieces” out of wood offcuts, shavings, and sawdust. I thought they were wonderful—though my poor mother would occasionally knock them off the shelf by accident, leaving me to rebuild them for her!

How it started, my first market stall.

Creativity runs in my family. My maternal grandmother was a tailor, my father did woodwork as a hobby and would create beautifully designed pieces, and my mother was the most incredible knitter I’ve ever known and I still treasure some of her creations today. My sister was a seamstress and made all my clothes until I was about 12 or 13, when I gradually started making my own clothes.

My mother often said, “The devil makes work for idle hands,” and I still find  it difficult to sit still without doing something with my hands and have quite a selection of fiddle toys. As a child I folded origami models, and as a teenager I made the colourful tissue-paper flowers that were so popular in the 1970s.

I was lucky: my parents encouraged me to experiment with all sorts of crafts, including ones that would probably come with health warnings today, enamelcraft and plasticraft, although they always valued the practical ones most. That attitude has definitely shaped me.

For many years, quilting was my creative passion. I designed and made quilts using patchwork, free machine embroidery, and quilting techniques. I loved the whole process—especially dyeing my own fabrics, planning out colour schemes, and experimenting with both traditional blocks and free-form patterns. I even began selling my work at local markets and was preparing to study for a City & Guilds in Patchwork and Quilting when life took an unexpected turn.

"Autumn leaves" quilt with appliqued copper foil leaves.

I developed chronic osteoarthritis, affecting my neck, shoulders, arms, and wrists. After surgery, my specialist and physiotherapist told me I had to stop quilting altogether because of the strain. It was devastating. I cried, and it took me over a year to let go of my machines and fabrics.

But the need to create never left me. I spent a year trying so many different arts and crafts but nothing felt right for me. Then one day, I remembered the origami I had loved as a child. I bought some paper and a book from my local craft shop, and started folding.

I folded kusudama balls, geometric models, birds, flowers—you name it and I learnt that what worked best for me was folding smaller models with thinner paper. One day I had one of my "I wonder if..." thoughts, could I make origami jewellery?

I researched, experimented with glues and varnishes, practiced over and over, and taught myself basic jewellery-making skills, and the answer was “Yes” and so I started making origami jewellery and with the encouragement of family and friends I did my first craft market and found that it sold!

Some of my early designs

The following year, I was thrilled to win a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday award which was a huge confidence boost, after all if Theo liked it I had to be doing something right.

Recieving my award from Theo Paphitis

Initially I used specialist origami papers, but I soon noticed that people were especially drawn to pieces made from old books and maps. When I used Pride and Prejudice for my very first book specific design, my Elizabeth and Darcy pendant—it quickly became a favourite, and it’s still in my range.

Pride and Prejudice pendant necklace

Buy Now

I made the decision to focus on using paper from old copies of popular classics, plus a smaller range made from vintage sheet music, I had my USP! Customers love being able to choose pieces made from books that held special memories for them. Stories can be powerful and allow us to travel anywhere, to visit the past or the future, or learn more about our heros. Books can take us back to being read to at bed time, remind us of the books that shaped us as teenagers, or rekindle the emotions of our favourite reads. My jewellery lets booklovers celebrate those connections and carry them close.

When I sell face-to-face, I love seeing someone’s eyes light up as they realise I haven’t just used random pieces of newspaper, I’ve carefully crafted them from their favourite stories. And, as a fellow booklover, I often find myself deep in conversation about books.

Some of my most treasured work has been custom commissions. A pair of memorial pendants using lines from a father’s favourite hymn; a first-anniversary gift made from the groom’s wedding speech; a birthday necklace for a 90-year-old, crafted from Black Beauty; even a proposal ring with the words of a love song, “I want to marry you.” I often wonder if she said yes!

My current set up - it really has changed since I started in 2016!

Paper2pearls has also allowed me to give back. A percentage of my sales supports tree planting and nature conservation projects, and the extra income has let me commission other artists, treat my family, and even take my teenage grandsons away on holiday.

My display in Unity, the most wonderful permament indoor craft market in the Queensgate Peterborough.

Looking back, I never dreamed I’d have a second career as a jewellery maker. Ironically if it wasn’t for becoming disabled, I wouldn’t have this business that I love and that brings joy to others. Next year Paper2pearls will be 10 years old so expect some celebratory offers.

I feel truly lucky and blessed. I’ve found something that I love, something that fulfils me creatively, and something that brings joy to others too.