Name: Miss Samantha Gannaway-Jones
Age: 33
Location: Northamptonshire
Design background: BA hons Sculpture and qualifications in photography, textiles and fashion, fine art painting, silver smithing, ceramics and printmaking.
Where do you get your inspiration from? Every where really, films I watch, books, I am a compulsive reader anything from the back of a cereal packet to old ancient books in flea markets.
Is this your full time job? Yes I have worked very hard and now I am lucky enough to be a full time jewellery designer.
Are you involved in any other crafty projects or organisations? Yes the Northampton Arts Collective.
Where can I find you in real life? For England and St. George at the Fishmarket in Northampton.
Any tips for someone who wants to start making their own stuff? Find a discipline or craft you really love then turn it on it's head and create something gorgeous! Make sure your product is of the highest quality and use the best materials you can find. But above all else... remember..... innovate don't imitate - it is not big or clever to nick other people's ideas; cheats never prosper.
What music do you listen to whilst you work? Pixies, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Grunge, Indie, Radio 4.
What is the nicest comment you have ever received about your work? I love all the comments I get about my work but the ones I remember most are people who say it is unique and there was nothing else like it in any of the shops on the high street. One of the most memorable was 'Rocks harder then Motorhead'.
Any interesting customers? Yes I made a custom charm bracelet based on the novel Anna Karenina for the author Jacquelyn Mitchard who lives in America and I have also made 2 collections for Jared Gold and The Black Chandelier one of which is being featured in his runway show in Los Angeles USA - March 2008.
What is your favourite item that you have made? I love the big dark gothic charm bracelets: Seven Deadly Sins, Jack the Ripper and my first Hoolala De Luxe bracelet I ever made. I still have strangers stopping me in the street when I wear it now, 3 years later!
Can you recommend another designer?Yes - FluffsStuffs - her designs are really original - so whimsical and gorgeous and I own quite a few of her trinkets!
Anything else I might be interested in? I do have a blog
where you can keep up with my adventures.