Today marks a very special milestone for us – fifteen years of Alison Moore Designs.
Looking back, what began at my kitchen table here in Orkney has grown into something I could never have imagined. While much has changed over the years, the things that inspired me in the beginning remain at the heart of everything we create.
I've always had a fascination with gemstones, minerals, art and design. Long before I became a jeweller, I was collecting beautiful stones simply because I loved them. Over the years I've amassed quite a collection of minerals and gemstones, most of which remain carefully tucked away from view.
When I first visited Orkney in 2009, I fell completely in love with the islands. The landscape, the sea, the skies and the geology all felt endlessly inspiring. It was here that I realised I wanted to turn what had been an all-consuming passion into something more.
Designing and making jewellery gave me the opportunity to work creatively with these remarkable natural materials, share them with others and, if I'm honest, provided the perfect excuse to keep expanding my collection.
As orders began to grow, the business moved from my kitchen table into its first dedicated workshop in Dounby. Over time, what started as a one-woman operation gradually evolved into something much bigger.
One of the things I'm most proud of over the past fifteen years isn't a collection or a milestone, but the team we've built along the way.
What started with me working alone at my kitchen table has grown into a business supported by an incredible team of women, each bringing their own skills, creativity and personality to Alison Moore Designs. From crafting jewellery and helping customers find the perfect piece, to photographing collections, packing orders and keeping everything running behind the scenes, they play an essential role in every part of the business.
While many people see my name above the door, Alison Moore Designs has long since become a team effort. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such talented and dedicated women, and I'm grateful every day for the care, passion and expertise they bring to the business. Their contribution has helped shape Alison Moore Designs into what it is today.
Today, we're fortunate to have two beautiful shops in Orkney, one in Kirkwall and one in Stromness, where visitors can discover our collections and experience the inspiration behind our designs firsthand.
Orkney has shaped my work from the very beginning. Some of my earliest collections included Pebble, Nebula and Organic – designs inspired by the natural world and the beauty found in simple forms, textures and gemstones.
Pebble was influenced by the sea-tumbled stones washed up on the shores at Skaill, just a pebble's throw from my home. Organic celebrated the imperfect beauty of nature, while Nebula reflected my fascination with gemstones and the extraordinary colours and patterns hidden within them. Looking back, it's clear that many of the themes that continue to inspire my work today were present from the very beginning.
Fifteen years later, Orkney continues to provide endless inspiration. My most recent collection, Seaweed, brings together two of my greatest passions: geology and the ocean. Using dendritic agates, each stone reveals intricate natural patterns that echo the rich variety of seaweed found beneath the waters surrounding the islands. Every piece celebrates the remarkable artistry that nature creates all by itself.
Living on an archipelago in the northern isles of Scotland means the sea is never far away. The ocean influences not only my designs but also my outlook, and I care deeply about its conservation and protection for future generations.
While the collections have evolved and the business has grown, the essence of Alison Moore Designs remains much the same as it was fifteen years ago: a deep connection to Orkney, a love of beautiful gemstones, and a desire to create jewellery that tells a story.
To everyone who has supported Alison Moore Designs over the past fifteen years - whether you've purchased a piece, visited one of our shops, or simply followed our journey - thank you.
What began at a kitchen table with a collection of gemstones and a passion for making has grown into something I could never have imagined. I'm incredibly grateful to the talented team who help bring the business to life every day and to the wonderful customers who continue to support us.
Fifteen years on, I still feel inspired by Orkney's landscapes, geology and coastline, and excited about the ideas and collections yet to come.
To celebrate, I'm offering you 15% off my very first collections which have endured the test of time - Pebble, Nebula and Organic with code BIRTHDAY15 - until midnight on 11th June.
Here's to the next 15 years.
