Biography
In my family there are five women called Norma Kerr – middle names given to me and my three sisters and also to my niece. Strong, bright, funny, creative women who all inspire me.

I grew up in South Yorkshire, graduated with a degree in Silversmithing and Jewellery from De Montfort University in Leicester, then headed south to London where I began to explore the jewellery trade inside and out. From designing window displays at Garrard’s, the Crown Jewellers, to selling my work on Camden Market from my workshop in Brixton. Then a couple of wonderful years designing jewellery and silverware in the heart of Italy’s jewellery trade in Vicenza, learning the language, loving the food and riding my Vespa alongside the canals of Veneto.

Back in London I went on to design costume jewellery, a job that took me to Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, learning all of the techniques of mass production. My career then returned to Fine Jewellery to produce a platinum collection for Van Peterson. Made by craftsmen working at the Dickensian jewellers’ benches found at the top of the dark and dusty stairwells above the streets of Hatton Garden, to be sold exclusively online. The collection was one of the first luxury brands to be launched during the first dot com boom. The technology and the marketplace fascinated me, so I went back to school and studied for my post-grad Marketing diploma.

With this new knowledge, I moved to the hills of Wales and started an entirely new career at the Hay Festival. I’ve always loved books and I’m a country girl at heart so it seemed to make sense. I worked my way up to become Producer of Hay Festival Wales, and then Director of Development. Eighteen years and umpteen festivals later, from Hay to Nairobi, Merthyr Tydfil to the Alhambra Palace, I have so many stories to tell.... Hay is a wonderful place full of many fascinating characters, who all have stories of their own.

Finding time to make things by hand, taking an idea from paper to reality is like magic. Returning to my jeweller’s bench gives me time to focus, and keeps my skills alive. It is a way to express my creativity and be myself – Norma Kerr is very much my alter-ego.

Creating work that is made to last, when so much is disposable. Jewellery designed to be handed down, that’s personal and sentimental. Inspired by traditional tattoo art my work is personalised through the technique of hand engraving – the work of skilled craftsmen from Birmingham’s jewellery quarter – I love the quality of their workmanship.

Each year I make and donate the ‘Flaming Lady of Hay’ award necklace – celebrating inspiring women in my community - in collaboration with the Flaming Lady Art House.

From my life of adventures around the world it is these three words that mean the most to me; to give Love, be full of Hope and, whatever adversity you face, to do so with Grace. Love, Hope and Grace give names to three necklaces from my collection.

I continue to work with Arts organisations and Festivals as a development consultant: www.pitchfork.consulting

My love of the countryside inspired me to rewild a small piece of land in Herefordshire that I now share as a campsite with others: www.maggiesfield.camp