Hello, and welcome. It’s so lovely that you’ve found your way here to learn a little more about my life beyond the jewellery bench.
If you’re new here, I’m Alison, a jewellery designer based in Orkney. And if you’ve been here a while, I thought it might be nice to take a little trip back down memory lane — it’s been quite an adventure.
Falling in love with Orkney
I’ve been making jewellery as a business since 2011, but the path that led me here began a few years earlier. My first visit to Orkney was in 2008, and I fell in love with the islands almost immediately. Surrounded by sea and shaped by powerful natural forces, Orkney is a place where nature is always present. Its ever-changing landscapes, dramatic coastline and dancing skies captivated me, and it quickly began to feel like home.
From geology to gemstones
Before jewellery, there was geology. Fun fact — I’m a geologist by education. I’ve always been fascinated by minerals, rock formations and the slow, powerful processes that shape our planet over millions of years. With its complex geological landscape and world-renowned archaeology, Orkney felt like the perfect place to explore these interests more deeply.
When I moved to the islands, I knew I didn’t want to abandon this part of my life. Instead, my curiosity evolved, shifting from studying rocks to exploring gemstones and materials through making. That curiosity eventually led to Alison Moore Designs, my jewellery business that began at my kitchen table in 2011.
Early work
In those early days, I found real joy in working with copper. It was here that my love of mixing metals took shape and began to define my style. The first collection I created was my Organic Collection, inspired by the shapes, textures and imperfections found in nature, alongside my background in earth sciences. Much like the landscapes that inspire it, the collection continues to evolve, developing its own distinct character over time. It remains one of my favourite collections to this day.
Studios, shops and workshops
As the business continued to grow, so did the need for space. Three years after starting from home, I moved into my first studio and shop in Dounby, a milestone that marked an exciting new chapter for Alison Moore Designs.
With the support of a small, dedicated team and an incredibly loyal community of customers, the business has continued to grow organically. We later moved to Stromness, where our workshop and wee shop is now based. In 2025, we opened our second shop in Kirkwall, where we host our jewellery-making workshops. Expanding has been a real joy (and, at times, a little stressful), but it has allowed us not only to share our handmade jewellery with more people, but also to curate a thoughtful selection of work from other independent makers — connections that have been a pleasure to build and showcase.
From Broch to Brooches
Being part of From Broch to Brooches at the Orkney Museum last year was a real pinch-me moment. Exhibiting alongside other inspiring Orkney jewellers and celebrating the islands’ rich jewellery-making heritage felt incredibly special.
Beyond the workbench
Running and growing a creative business often means downtime can be limited, but beyond the workbench I’ve been fortunate to find a few passions that keep me grounded. Sea swimming and snorkelling help me stay connected to the natural world, and it's a good excuse to continue my underwater photography passion, capturing the marine life around these islands.
Community is also incredibly important to me, and I’ve proudly supported the Orkney women’s rugby team as a sponsor for over twelve years. And of course, I can’t not mention long beach walks with my most precious companion, Rowan, who is always happiest curled up for cuddles in the workshop.
A random fact to finish
And a random fact to finish: my birthstone is October’s tourmaline, although I’ve always secretly wished I’d been born in May so emerald could be my birthstone instead.
Thanks for joining me on this journey, and here’s to a happy and healthy 2026.
Alison xxx
