About

I’m Noreen, a jewellery maker/designer currently based in Kilkenny, Ireland. I’ve been lucky enough to make it onto the intensive Goldsmithing and Jewellery Skills Course run by the Crafts Council of Ireland in the Design Yard, Kilkenny and this blog is the record of my continuing jewellery education. It’s been quite a journey getting to this point! I studied sculpture some years ago in Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork, followed by an MA in Design History and Material Culture at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. I then decamped to London to find employment at the V&A Museum and Dulwich Picture Gallery, but the call of object-making became too strong to resist and I started to do short courses in jewellery-making in my spare time at Morley College, where I became completely hooked on all things metal. After spending years living in London myself and my other half Ollie moved to Italy for six months where he did academic things at the University of Bologna and I attended the Metallo Nobile jewellery school in Florence. This blog started out as my diary for the time that we spent in Italy, and was a way to keep track of my progress on a number of fronts – learning how to make jewellery, learning Italian and learning more about everyday life in Italy. Now I’m starting the next chapter of my jewellery adventure in Kilkenny and I’ve decided to resurrect the old blog. Hopefully making jewellery in Kilkenny will be as rewarding as it was in Italy!

4 thoughts on “About”

    1. Thank you for your kind comment discovermarche! I would love to visit Le Marche at some point! When I return to Italy in the Spring I will try to travel around a bit more.

      Like

      Reply

  2. Hello Noreen!

    I’m the American woman with whom you had the long chat at Homo Faber. If you recall, we spoke on a wide range of topics from John McGahern to Van Gogh to Clones Lace to poetry. I so enjoyed our chat and glad to see you online.

    I’m not sure if you’ve figured out a way to stay in Venice now that Homo Faber is over, but I hope so! Please let me know if your journeys bring you to New York. Wishing you luck in the fascinating life you’ve chosen for yourself!

    Warmly,

    Kathleen Williamson

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hello Kathleen!

      How are you? I’m sorry I just saw your message now. I’m not so active on WordPress anymore because I haven’t got time to write anything! My jewellery course is just so full on. I didn’t manage to stay in Venice but I did manage to meet one of my idols an got to visit his house and workshop! His name is Giampaulo Babetto and he is one of the greatest goldsmiths in Italy. What an amazing experience! I went straight back to college the Monday after we left Venice and I was absolutely exhausted! It was a really eventful summer! Here’s my personal email – noreen.mcguire@gmail.com – just in case you want to contact me and get a more timely response! I hope you are well and that you thoroughly enjoyed Homo Faber. It was so lovely to meet you.

      All the very best,

      Noreen

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment