The story behind Tortoise and Hare.Design

Hi, I'm Laura and I'm the designer, maker and salesperson behind Tortoise and Hare.Design based in Worthing. ​I was taught to make precious metal jewellery using traditional methods and tools at Kent Institute of Art and design, (now University of Creative Arts) and graduated in 1995.

I worked in a jewellery workshop for a few years as a maker, then moved on to a sales role in one of the historic Brighton Lanes jewellery shops. I loved the energy of the shop, and enjoyed selling, but I wasn't making and decided I needed a change of direction, so I pursued other employment routes and creative outlets, (including becoming a Mum), before coming back to designing and making jewellery in 2018. First of all, this was as a hobby, but I got well and truly bitten by the sparkle bug again, launching Tortoise and Hare.Design as a (part-time) micro-business in 2023. ​

Like the steadfast little Tortoise, I got here in the end!

Each piece of my handmade jewellery is crafted individually using recycled eco silver, making each piece naturally unique. I take pride in creating timeless designs that reflect the natural world, especially the coast line as this gives me my greatest inspiration. As each stage of the making process is undertaken by hand, (and only my hands!), no two pieces can ever be exactly the same meaning the jewellery you purchase from me will be truly one of a kind.