Meet the Somerset jeweller who was inspired by a filigree tiara adorned with jelly tots created by her grandfather
Isla Gilham carves gemstones by hand and sets them into playful jewels that all tap into the theme of being good enough to eat. She has been carving out a name for herself since graduating from Central St Martin’s in 2018.
Last autumn, Isla was one of the talented craftspeople selected to exhibit at London’s prestigious Goldsmiths’ Fair, for the fair’s 40th edition. Growing up in Montacute, this bright young gem was always inspired by the surrounding Somerset countryside.
Her family rented a small orchard down the road from their house, and she would spend every weekend there where creativity was a constant outlet. Alongside her brothers, she would design and build go-karts, learnt how to use her DSLR camera, and spend her time drawing and painting the family’s sheep and chickens.
One year, she even carded, spun, dyed and knitted the sheep’s wool. She says: 'After a day of making jewellery, I used to enjoy walking our dogs around Montatcute park or St. Michaels Hill. It gave me so much time and space to really think, and it made me so much more reflective as well as helping me refine my ideas.'
Isla used to daydream of the tiara her great grandfather, George, had handcrafted decades prior. Though she never got to see it, Gilham’s mother always described it to her: filigree, timelessly beautiful and, most importantly of all, adorned with juicy Jelly Tots. The sugar-coated sweets proudly sat where precious stones usually would. It is said to have been gifted to Isla’s Great Aunt Beryl for her birthday, but everyone wished it was theirs.
Almost half a century later, with this treasured family story as her prevailing inspiration, Isla designs her own precious pieces with delicious twists, playing on the tempting and indulgent nature of jewels and gemstones. She now has her own workshop in Somerset where she carves gemstones by hand and sets them into playful jewels that all tap into the theme of being ‘good enough to eat’. She frequently researches food to inform the colours, textures and finishes of her work and says her current focus is on 'piping forms, a tempting mirror glaze, chocolatier counters, and beautiful wrappers'.
Most of her commissions started through Instagram, which is no surprise given the beautiful way she displays and photographs her work. The theme of food lends itself well to social media, and she continues to sell her work internationally via Instagram and through meeting new collectors at fairs.
Isla has a new collection in the works, though no set date for the launch as yet.
