My name is Jo, the designer maker behind HEKA Jewellery. Intrigued by artisans and makers I met at markets whilst travelling in South America, I began to collect trinkets and treasures on my journey and became fascinated by how they might be made. I left my job in fashion yearning for a more connected and creative existence, and studied traditional making techniques at the Birmingham School of Jewellery.

I have spent many years as a bespoke designer since, in various roles in industry both small and large scale, winning industry awards, and selling my own collections internationally. I teach jewellery making workshops around the world at festivals and select venues and currently work from my studio in Worcestershire, where I am close to nature and family.

For me, the alchemy of transmuting precious metal and stones from the earth into jewels for the body is pure magic. Jewellery has always held so much meaning within every culture throughout time, and for good reason. Everything is energy and I make each piece with intention. I believe in the talismanic and protective properties of jewellery and gemstones and find inspiration in ancient symbolism across various cultures, myth and magic, folklore and nature.

The name HEKA draws on the deifications of magic and healing in both Egyptian and Greek mythology, where magic, miracles and medicine intertwined. I design intuitively, and advocate for slow fashion, creating work as I feel inspired to. My pieces are made largely made to order, and I work in recycled silver and single origin mined or Fairtrade gold. I source my gemstones from small producers who often mine and cut the stones themselves. I strive to make the most ethical choices in my work at all times.

I am always deeply honoured to work on remodelling and new designs for sentimental gold or gemstones. The energy and history of a piece passed down through family is absolutely precious; to capture this into a new design that can be enjoyed by more generations to come is a beautiful and special thing.

I aspire to keep creating from an open and curious heart and look forward to many more beautiful connections with people on this ever evolving journey