"It's not a little mouse who is going to wear my jewellery, but women with attitude," asserts Niamh Ní Mhathúna-Utsch, the goldsmith whose exhibition at the Eblana Gallery on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, opened on Thursday and runs until December 13th.
Big colourful stones form the centrepieces of her jewellery, each one worked in silver with 18ct yellow gold detail. Stones include amethyst, citrine, peridot, lemon quartz and Swiss blue topaz.
"Big stones with a lot of colour give a brightness to your life, especially at the moment," she says. Daughter of the renowned jeweller Padraig Ó Mathúna from Cashel, Co Tipperary, Niamh served her apprenticeship in Germany before setting up her own studio and craft shop in Dingle 12 years ago. Each piece in the exhibition of rings, pendants and bracelets is unique and starts at about €700. "Buy jewellery for enjoyment, not investment," she says. Call the gallery at 01-6788941 for details.
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