Full of beautiful fluid molten textures, Tilly Sudsbury is the cool-girl jewellery brand you should have on your radar. Her designs are all handmade in London and include statement chunky rings to her sad girl hearts seen on earrings and necklaces. Find out about what led her to make jewellery, her inspirations and where you might find her on a day off!
Tell us the story behind your brand. You know there was never really a time that I can say I launched my business, which might sound surprising, but this journey for me started when I enrolled in a jewellery making course around the age of 19.
I’ve always been creative, making has been in my nature my whole life - I don’t think there was ever a question that I’d end up working in a practical, creative field of some kind.
I’ve always been obsessed with small details of decoration, in clothes, paintings, furniture, and of course jewellery. When I started making jewellery it just made so much sense to me, these beautiful little things that hold so much meaning for people - what do you mean I get to play around with gold and gemstones every day? And maybe even get paid for it? I never questioned doing anything else from then.
I fully immersed myself in learning, I did all the courses that I could and in my spare time I researched designers and endlessly scrolled Pinterest for jewellery. I was working full-time in a pub when I started my courses, then I got a second job at a local jewellery shop, learning all I could there in the day time, then going back to work at the pub in the evening! I was dedicated (and tired).
So becoming self-employed and then starting a business have been a tool for me to be able to keep doing what I love - it never really felt like a decision I made. (Such an aquarius answer)
What inspires your designs most? It took me a long time to understand this myself, and I do find inspiration in all kinds of ways, but ultimately, I think the act of making something with my hands has a deeply grounding and meditative effect on me.
I think making is probably a form of therapy for me. Practical making with your hands is one of the fastest ways to calm your nervous system, because both your mind and body are focused on something, for me, it clears all the noisy, messy thoughts and gives me space to be creative. So I think getting into this flow-state is probably where I’m most inspired because I feel so free to play and create. Also travel - which I think is connected to this sense of freedom that I find in my practical work!
Can you walk us through how your pieces are made, from idea to finished piece? I’ll usually start with mood boards to help form ideas, and then I’ll messily sketch out loads and loads of variations until one sparks something - then I have to start making or I can’t stop thinking about it.
My ideas often aren’t fully formed until I’m done making them - especially with the nature of my designs, being very fluid in form, which is also true of my making process. I like to work with my materials, to play around and understand their properties and forms, and work from there.
I think that’s what makes my pieces so unique, because I don’t know what the result will be half the time. So much of my design is playing with different components and shapes to see what works together.
If you weren’t making jewellery, what do you think you’d be doing instead? I’ve always loved the idea of studying marine biology, travelling the world's oceans to learn and conserve wildlife is such a flex! But more likely teaching yoga or pilates - basically if I’m not making I want to be outside.
What jewellery do you wear every day? And what do you reach for when you’re dressing up or going out? Ok so I have my staple every days which I feel truly naked without, this is my fluidity ring, my Frederick Grove small skull ring, and my grandma’s filigree Ruby and Diamond ring, and for earrings I literally wear my ripple hoops every day, no matter the occasion.
If I wear a necklace, I’m dressed up, and it’s usually my Open shell choker, but recently I’ve been loving my Sad Girl beads with Dalmation Jasper. All gold!
Gold or silver? GOLD
Stacked or solo? stacked
Rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets? rings
One piece of jewellery you’d never leave the house without? my gold fluidity ring
Coffee or cocktail? coffee
Museum or market? museum
Playlist, silence or podcast when in the studio? ah I can’t choose between playlist and podcast but never silence - it’s too loud
Who would be your dream person to wear your jewellery? ooh this is so hard to pick one person, but I'd definitely love to see Sasha Keable in my jewellery
Favourite piece you’ve ever designed? my best friend’s engagement ring with this amazing Spessartite Garnet
What does a day off actually look like for you? When I have a whole day off (which doesn’t happen all that often) my favourite mornings start with a yoga or pilates class, then a coffee and walk with a friend and hopefully a dog. I love spending time in my local area, so maybe some charity shopping and then dinner out in South London!
