Feature: Ella Green Jewellery

We often see articles and features regarding women in business and female entrepreneurs. It’s hugely important to me to give a platform to these women and express my support for their businesses. As we know, it’s extremely difficult to keep a company afloat during these unprecedented times. However, many businesses have moved online, offering click and collect, and finding new ways to access customers. 

I met with designer and business owner Eimear Lynch of Ella Green Jewellery to discuss her beautiful products and her personal experience of working through the pandemic.

1. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself 

I make solid gold and gemstone jewellery in small quantities as Ella Green Jewellery. Some are one of a kind and I also source and resell vintage through my website and Instagram. My company is named for my first born, Ella (now 8 years old) and the colour of nature, vitality, and life.

2. When did you first establish your company 

2016. Gosh, five years ago already!

3.  Were you always very creative? 

Yes, I think all young children are and I was encouraged in that direction by my parents – up to a point. I think they became nervous I was going to try and take the “starving artist” route and they wouldn’t let me go to art college. To be fair, that may have been a blessing in disguise. I can be flighty, so at least now that I have decades of working in the business world under my belt, I have an appreciation of what it takes to run the business as well as to create. Instead, I did Marketing and a BA and entered the workforce thinking I was going to conquer the world. I found my way back to jewellery in 2005 in Ecuador, where I was teaching English. I had the honour of spending several months with an artisan teacher who taught his students the basics of goldsmithing using old-school techniques. After that gap-year experience, I re-entered the “serious” workforce again. It was 2009 before I picked up a jewellery-making book in a shop going bust due to the recession. After that, I haven’t looked back. 

 

4. How have you found running your business during the pandemic? 

This has been a very positive time for my little business. I found, as did a lot of jewellers, that as people were not going out, they had a little bit more money at the end of the month to put towards things they really loved that they had been eyeing for a while. The Gloss called it “Passion Spending”. My lovely client base has grown and my appreciation for the joy that good design can bring to people has grown with them.

5. For you, what is the importance of shopping local or with Irish designers 

It’s really lovely to be so well supported here by a loyal base and by DCCI (Design and Craft Council of Ireland). Everyone was so supportive, in particular last year during the pandemic. I challenge myself, however, to look across the globe at the best of the world’s jewellery. It’s really important for me to deliver exceptional design quality and service in order to be deserving of people’s well-earned resources – regardless of where we live!

6. What is the highlight in your business career so far? 

The first time I got my work accepted by a gallery stockist in 2017, it was such a confidence boost. I have since gone direct to consumer and fully online but it gave me such a great reason to keep going. I vividly remember bringing them my first two collections and nervously and excitedly taking them through my process.

7. Where can we find you? (Social media etc) 

Website: www.ellagreenjewellery.com

Instagram: Ellagreenjewellery

Facebook: ellagreenjewels

I certainly can’t wait to purchase some of Eimear’s stunning products. Perfect for gifts or just to prepare your wardrobe for your post-pandemic attire!