SILVERSMITH Kirsty Dyer Bridges is opening a jewellery shop in Cowes.

Lovebird Jewellery launches at 70a High Street on Saturday, April 13, with a weekend of special offers.

Kirsty, who grew up in Bembridge and lived in Cowes for many years, started Lovebird Jewellery in 2014 shortly after moving to Devon.

Her jewellery is inspired by the British coast and countryside.

She said: "I was born on the Island and lived here most of my life so it still feels like home.

"I did a fine art degree which I regretted and wished I had done a silversmithing course. My answer to the ‘what would you do if you won the lottery?’ question was always to retrain and do a jewellery degree.

"Instead I traded some graphic design work for a one-day silversmithing course with Lauren Griffiths at Little Joy on the Island, and after that I was hooked.

"I made some gifts for family that Christmas and posted a few photos on Facebook and was inundated with requests. Since then I've mainly taught myself."

Kirsty operates from her base in Croyde and has taken on a new member of staff to run the Cowes shop — Shannon Owen who has been training with Jodie Mannion at the Jewellery Cabin. Shannon will be making and finishing Kirsty's designs in-house.

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