The collections A-Z
Atlantic Swell
The Atlantic Ocean continues to inspire Sheila with its movement and seasonal colours as it washes the Orkney shoreline. The centre piece of this collection is a free-flowing seven part necklet which can be purchased complete or individually. Silver or gold frond-like sea forms are enamelled by hand in vibrant ocean blues or soft surf greens.
Birsay Disc
This collection is derived from a small lead disc found on the Brough of Birsay in Orkney. The Brough, a small tidal island, supported a thriving metalworking industry from the 7th to the late 8th century. A rich array of brooches, rings and dress pins were found; jewellery for the prosperous Pictish community on the Orkney Mainland.
Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is a beautiful illuminated Gospel Book of the late 8th Century. The pattern of intertwining cords and interlace is derived from Eastern and Celtic Art, and passed into the repertoire of British and Irish Art from the 6th to 9th Century.
Bow Waves
The Bow Waves Collection is inspired by the North Sea and the forms, shapes, colours and moods of the sea.
Breckon
This collection of jewellery was designed by Sheila for Roy Leask, Lerwick’s Guizer Jarl in 2008. Each year the Jarl chooses to portray a Viking character from the sagas, preferably with some kind of link to his own family or family homestead. Up-Helly-Aa is one of the largest fire festivals in the world, with almost one thousand ‘guizers’ taking part in a torchlight procession through the centre of Lerwick.
Cascade
This collection is inspired by the fast flowing cascade of water at the Forss River in Caithness. It is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the north of Scotland and is the boundary between two parishes, where they are reputed to have a therapeutic and calming effect.
Celtic Rings
A Celtic ring shape is a symbol of continuity as is the continuous interlacing in Celtic knot work. These rings are often used as wedding bands but can also be worn as a fashion accessory. All styles of these matching ladies and men’s rings are available in almost any size and can be made in silver, 9ct, 18ct, palladium or platinum.
Contemporary Solitaire
These stunning collections of solitaire and trilogy rings are available in Gold, Palladium and Platinum set with diamonds. Other precious stones available on request.
Creel
Sheila has created a variety of Creel cage designs available in silver with enamel and gold. The random enamel sections represent the trapped water inside the creel as it is pulled from the sea, some of these designs also have a small shell caught inside.
Dolphin
The deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea surrounding Orkney and Shetland are home to dolphins and porpoises. These mammals of the sea enchant mankind today and had a special fascination for the people of the Iron Age. These designs reflect both the shape of the dolphins and the waves of their sea home.
Flagstone
This collection was born from my love of the sensational natural rock shorelines that once linked Orkney and Caithness. The Caithness flagstone is composed of fine grained sand and mud deposited in Lake Orcadie about 380 million years ago in the Devonian age.
Flight
Bird silhouette forms in our skies above inspired this collection of beautiful flight jewellery, as Orkney is renowned for its breeding bird colonies with their arching wings cutting across the horizon. This collection captures the grace and simplicity of birds in flight, silhouetted against the sky, the birds cast shadows as they pass over.
Headlands
The vast, majestic stone cliffs make a sheer descent into the crashing sea below. These dramatic headlands contrast with the gentle curves which are such a feature of the Orkney Landscape. Views of the headlands, and the twinkling of lights from distant houses at night, stirred Sheila’s imagination to create these intriguing pieces.
Hoxa Reflections
Sheila grew up at Hoxa Head on the Island of South Ronaldsay, a key vantage point overlooking the entrance to the sheltered natural harbour of Scapa Flow. Looking out across the water, the colours shift with the reflected light, and the cliffs create shadows in the deep.
Island Panorama
In the wide-angle panoramic views of Orkney, only a narrow strip of land separates the sea and sky. These land forms create smooth and graceful shapes, reinterpreted in enamel to stunning effect.
Kiss
Silver and gold wires compliment each other to create a free flowing diamond set form. The Kiss collection is a romantic interpretation inspired by the natural wild grasses of the windswept northern landscape.
Lovers Knot
This design is popularly known as the Lover’s Knot, two intertwined lines knit together to make one whole pattern. Such knots and patterns passed into the art of Britain from the 6th to the 9th centuries and are found on metalwork, sculpted stone and in Gospel books.
Mill Sand
This collection is named after the beach below Sheila's workshop in Tankerness, Orkney. The view over the wide panorama of the bay alters constantly, as the light and colour changes dramatically with each day and season. Mill Sand is inspired by some of the unique colours reflected in the sand and shallow water in and around the beach.
Moonlight
This collection is inspired by the Moon’s soft reflection across the sea which is a mystical staircase to the stars. In silver, a moonstone is used to represent the moon with layers of silver and enamel. In 9ct Gold, a solid opal is set to represent the Moon and the gold is laced with small diamonds.
Morning Dew
This collection of silver and gold jewellery, laced with handset stones reflects a magical natural phenomenon. As dawn breaks, dew drops glisten on wild grasses like jewels in the morning light.
New Wave
The New Wave collection is based on a photograph taken by Sheila’s husband Rick, when they were returning from Westray, one of the most northern Isles of Orkney, one evening. The wake of the ferry cutting through the water, leaving a trail in the sea inspired Sheila. She was struck by the golden red of the setting sun as it caught the waves.
Ogham
This collection was inspired by the first known text discovered in Orkney. The Ogham writing that reads 'a blessing on the soul' was found on a whorl stone at Buckquoy, Birsay, approximately 500 AD.
Paisley Leaf
The Paisley design originated from motifs representing the date palm leaf in Babylon over 2000 years ago. As well as providing the fundamental necessities of food and shelter, this ‘Tree of Life’ was also a symbol of growth and fertility. The design is named after the Scottish town, where luxurious cashmere shawls were produced to imitate examples brought home from India. They became very popular and fashionable in Victorian times, and hence the name ‘Paisley Pattern’ was born.
Pentland
The Pentland collection gets its name from the notorious stretch of water which separates the Orkney Islands from the north coast of the British Mainland. The water surges through this narrow strait between the Atlantic and the North Sea, where it has inspired Sheila to create this collection full of colour and movement.
Primula Scotica
Primula Scotica exists only in Orkney, Caithness and North Sutherland on maritime heath. Orkney sites include Yesnaby on the Orkney mainland, and the outer Islands of Rousay, Westray, Papay, Sanday and South Walls. Miraculously, the intense purple and yellow flowers of the delicate ‘Scottish Primrose’ survive amid the raging winds on our exposed coastal heath land.
Rainbow
The wonderful colours of the rainbow inspired this collection. Nature’s elements of sun and rain create a magical arc of colour in the sky. In awe of this magnificent sight, the Vikings believed rainbows to be a bridge between earth and heaven. The intense colours of the rainbow, a feature of the wide open Orkney skyline, provide a rich palate for this stunning collection.
Reef Knot
The Reef Knot takes its name and design from one of the best known and popular knots, commonly popular with generations of sailors. With a single tug of the hand, the knot is released, allowing the sail to fill once again. The simple symmetry and grace of the knot is transformed into this elegant collection.
River Ripples
These elegant free flowing designs were inspired by the natural ripples that can be found on sand after water has passed over it. They cast delicate shadows against the golden sheen of the beach, shimmering in the light.
Rock Pool
The sea ebbs, leaving glistening pools of water among the exposed rocks, a haven between the tides for tiny colourful sea creatures. This collection of enamelled and stone set jewellery originated from my childhood memories of exploring the rocky shoreline of Hoxa Head.
Rowan
In Scottish lore, the Rowan tree has been held as a ‘Tree of Life’, a protector from harm. The familiar silhouette of the tree itself is an expression of strength, endurance and hope, with the berries symbolising life and renewal. Throughout history, many cultures of the world have venerated trees, believing them to have divine and magical powers.
Runic
The Runic Iris design was inspired by the stone age tomb, Maeshowe, built around 3,000 BC. In the 12th century Vikings broke into the tomb and carved runes on the chamber walls.
Saltire
Inspired by Scotland's national flag which is steeped in history. It is thought to be the oldest national flag in Europe.
Sands of Time
This collection reflects the eternal motion of the sea waves crashing over the shore leaving beautiful ripple patterns in the sand.
Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow is a collection inspired by a natural deep water harbour, situated in the middle of the Orkney Island group. This safe haven was used in the war time to house the British Naval Fleet of Ships. The soft colours of the waters of Scapa Flow inspired this smooth shape with its own unique enamel colour.
Secret Hearts
Hearts of Silver and Gold are reversible and can be worn either way, depending on which side the wearer wishes to reveal. The gold heart can be set with a diamond and the silver heart can be enamelled with passion pink.
Shoreline Pebble
Growing up in Orkney Scotland, the shoreline has given Sheila a life long interest in the natural forms of rocks and pebbles. Whilst at Art College in Edinburgh in the mid 1960's, she found a lapidary club to cut and polish some of the shoreline stones she had collected. The first piece of jewellery Sheila ever made was a ring set with Iona marble, which she had cut from a pebble.
Skara Spiral
This small spiral design was inspired by carvings found on stones and fragments of pottery at a historic Stone Age Neolithic village at Skara Brae in Orkney.
Skyran
Skyran was inspired by the first known text discovered in Orkney. The Ogham writing that reads ‘a blessing on the soul’ was found on a whorl stone at Buckquoy, Birsay, approximately 500 AD. These signature pieces capture the rich blue-grey of the night sky, where Skyran translates as to glitter or shine brightly.
Standing Stones
No one knows what really inspired people around 3000BC to raise these giant megaliths, although every generation since can marvel at these monuments, built to amaze anyone who sees them.
Storm
This collection is inspired by the spectacular power of a storm, tossing waves high into the air, bringing rich tones of grey and deep green-blue.
Surfbreaker
This collection is inspired by sea forms, shapes, colours and moods. The surf surges and retreats - a virtuous circle forever flowing, as mighty crests swell up and crash, roaring into the seething mass below.
Swallows
Swallows are one of the first signs of summer when they return in April after their long migration from South Africa. They grace our skies with their breathtaking speed and acrobatic performance.
Sweetheart
Following a visit to Sweetheart Abbey in the rich countryside of Dumfries and Galloway, Sheila was moved to create this collection. The Abbey was founded in 1273 by Lady Devorgilla of Galloway in memory of her late husband John Balliol. The monks were so moved by her enduring love that they named it Sweetheart Abbey in her memory after she died in 1289.
Tidal
This design was inspired by the ever moving motion of the tides in the Pentland Firth between Orkney and Caithness. Flowing interlocking filaments in silver and gold echo the strength and timeless motion of the tide.
Tidal Islands
This collection of interlocking pieces are enamelled in vibrant colours and hand set with semi-precious stones. The movement of the ever changing waves reflect the ebb and flow of the sea environment which surrounds the tidal islands of Orkney.
Tidal Treasures
The strong tides of the Pentland Firth guard many natural treasures. Fishermen occasionally discover some of these treasures when they haul in their creels and come across the elusive Groatie Buckie (Arctic Cowrie Shell). These tiny magical shells are said to bring good luck to the keeper and can be found on the beaches of Caithness, Orkney and Shetland by combing the shoreline.
Wave
This collection is based on photography by Rick, Sheila’s husband, who captures the image of Orkney’s natural environment. The sea’s awesome power, especially during winter, creates fluid sculptural forms – a constant source of inspiration for Sheila’s designs.
Wild Grasses
Sheila’s original designs are hand enamelled on layers of silver and gold wires. Delicate free flowing gem set forms reflect the natural wild grasses of the windswept northern landscape in Caithness and the Orkney Islands.

