They say necessity is the mother of invention. So what happens when you create something that isn't “necessary”, like jewellery?
What happens if what you do for a job, business, living, isn't vital to people's lives?
It's easy to dismiss the work of creative people as frivolous when there is so much heartache, devastation, and poverty in the world.
But I'd argue that's when we most need what we'd class as "nice things". That during harder times we can turn to things that bring us joy.
And we not only can, but should.
A world without beauty would be unimaginable
I believe we often take beauty for granted, forgetting that creativity surrounds us everywhere we go.
We can visit an art gallery (for free!) and experience incredible creations that move us and inspire us.
We can wear beautiful clothes and jewellery that make us feel confident, powerful, seen.
We can read books that change our perspective or offer us a world to retreat into when life feels too much.
When you think of it that way, how depressing would life be without art in all of its forms?
Creativity is woven into our everyday lives in ways we rarely stop to acknowledge.
It’s not just decoration or frivolous fun - it’s a fundamental part of the human experience and has been since civilisation began.
Creativity breeds joy - it just does
I'm well aware we're not saving lives by making a pair of earrings. But you can't argue we're not bringing joy into someone's life - brightening up their day in a small way. And don’t all of those small joys add up to a much bigger picture?
Is that vanity? I don't think so. I believe it's vital comfort, solace, pleasure.
To deny ourselves enjoyment and pleasure for the sake of it benefits nobody anyway.
I went to a funeral recently—the parent of a friend who died unexpectedly. We always perceive funerals as such serious, sombre events, but my friend and I laughed at something together and agreed that we have to find humour in dark times. It's the same kind of theory.
Finding ways to lighten even the darkest day is essential, and as mood-lighteners go, laughter and jewellery are up there with the best in my humble opinion.
Creativity and mental health are intertwined
There's a reason we have things like art therapy - because creativity plays a crucial role in mental health.
Whichever medium you choose - painting, writing, designing, or making, creative expression allows you to process emotions, relieve stress, and find joy.
It helps us to heal - I know that's certainly been the case for me as I've navigated my way through mental health challenges and life with OCD.
In my work, I see the power of creativity to craft something meaningful after a loss. For those who have experienced pain and grief after losing a loved one, remodelling a piece of their jewellery can bring some joy and comfort back into their life.
Helping them remember that person in a really beautiful way and shining a light on their memory by creating a tangible connection is a really wonderful thing.
It’s a way of keeping them close; a physical daily reminder of the love and memories shared between them.
The role of jewellery in civilisation
Of course, as a jeweller I'm fascinated by the role jewellery plays in our lives - from the early days of civilisation to today.
Jewellery has played a vital part in human civilisation for thousands of years, serving purposes (yes, you guessed it) far beyond decoration.
Ancient Egyptian amulets symbolised protection and power. Medieval signet rings were used as seals of authority. Suffragette brooches represented hope and progress.
Jewellery has held deep cultural, religious, and social significance. Spanning every culture, it's been a symbol of status, identity, and even a medium for storytelling since time began.
Like all creative disciplines, I think we can safely say the role of jewellery through history proves it's not just a modern frippery, but an intrinsic part of human heritage and self-expression.
Playing to our strengths makes the world a more interesting place
As a jeweller, I often meet people who say "I don't have a creative bone in my body" They say it almost apologetically.
I feel that we all should play to our strengths and that's what makes the world interesting.
We all have different interests and vocations, and we should find joy in whatever area of life we want to find joy in - I touched on this in a previous blog on giving yourself permission to do the things you love, even if it's just for the pure hell of it.
I would also argue everyone is creative in their own way. Perhaps some of us never had the encouragement to express our creative side - after all, you don't have to be "good" at something to take pleasure in and benefit from it.
(If that’s you, I wonder what creativity might look like for you if you explored that side of yourself?)
On creativity and careers
For many people, pursuing a creative career is out of the question: the pressure to choose a "sensible" path is strong, with parents and teachers pushing towards jobs perceived as stable or worthy.
I actually know many talented jewellers who only found their calling later in life after initially following a more traditional route, before eventually giving themselves the freedom to explore new ideas on what a satisfying career looked like.
I was lucky. My parents never questioned my choice to go to art college after leaving school, despite being told by one friend's parent that 'I was too intelligent to go to art college' (!)
My parents didn’t ask if I could make money from it or whether I had a backup plan - they saw my passion and work ethic and trusted in my ability to make it happen, even letting me set up my first workbench in their garage after graduating.
That kind of support is rare, and I’m endlessly grateful for it. But what if no one pursued creative careers? What would we wear, admire, or be inspired by?
Creativity has such a powerful and positive impact on our world in ways we often overlook.
Squeezing the arts
Unfortunately, I don't believe we encourage creativity enough in education, society, or even the workplace, instead focusing on passing exams and driving productivity.
English councils have halved spending on culture over the past decade, while the State of the Arts Reports 2024 said "reduced funding and a marginalisation of the arts in English state schools" was behind a drop in exam entries for arts subjects.
It feels like schools fixate on passing maths and English, while art, music, and design are increasingly shoved to the side.
Intelligence is often measured in academic success rather than creative ability, which is inherently flawed - intelligence takes so many forms, and creativity is one of them.
If we continue to de-prioritise the arts, we risk raising generations who lack imagination, the ability to solve problems and innovate.
Creativity isn’t just about making things look nice, after all. It’s about creative thinking, pushing boundaries, and enriching the world in countless ways.
The benefits of exploring your own creativity
Expressing your creative side isn't just for artists and designers - it benefits all of us, helping with:
Problem-solving skills - creativity encourages us to find new ways to approach challenges in work and life.
Emotional healing - creative pursuits like painting, writing, and making give your emotions an outlet, helping you process things and reduce anxiety.
Confidence - seeing a creation come to life boosts your self-esteem and gives you a huge sense of accomplishment.
Sense of identity - creativity allows you to explore and express who you are, shaping your personal style, interests, and perspectives.
Enjoyment - cooking, gardening, making music... creativity brings joy, relaxation, and a sense of playfulness that can be lacking in everyday life as an adult with endless responsibilities.
I'd love to know what creativity looks like in your life. Maybe it's an old childhood hobby you've revisited, or a new passion you discovered in the pandemic or more recently. Please do share with me in the comments.
The true value and importance of creativity
Creativity isn’t a 'nice-to-have'. It’s the very thing that makes us human - nurturing our wellbeing, giving our lives meaning, and shaping the world around us.
Without it, life would be devoid of colour, depth, and emotion.
From the jewellery we slip on every morning to the art we display in our homes to brighten our spaces and days - and even the careers we choose - creativity connects us to our past, helps us process the present, and inspires the future.
So let’s stop thinking of creativity as a luxury and recognise instead the importance of creativity.
Let’s acknowledge its power, protect its place, and grant ourselves - and others - permission to create, express, and innovate. Because after all, a world without creativity isn’t just dull. It’s unimaginable.
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