Recognition Along the Way

Shortlisted for the Contemporary Cutlery Design Competition

The journey of this project began almost a year ago. From the moment I came across the competition last summer, I found myself thinking about possible designs. The concept evolved gradually over many months, with ideas being refined, discarded and revisited. It wasn't until the final week before the deadline that the design truly came together.

By that point, it had already been a busy start to the year. Following the launch of my website in January, the introduction of a new collection, and ongoing commissioned work, finding time to develop Rest in Hand required careful planning. Much of the making happened between nursery drop-offs, during nap times, and in the small pockets of time I could carve out around family life.

The final days before submission were particularly intense, bringing together the design development, prototype, photographs and written material. It wasn't until everything had been uploaded and submitted that I felt I could finally put the project to rest after months of it occupying my thoughts.

A few weeks later, I received the news that Rest in Hand had been shortlisted for the competition. It was an emotional moment. Beyond the excitement of being recognised, it felt like a significant milestone in my journey as an independent designer. After investing so much time, energy and thought into the project, having the work acknowledged by the judging panel was incredibly meaningful.

While Rest in Hand wasn't selected as the final winner, I'm incredibly grateful to have had my work recognised alongside so many talented designers. The experience has given me confidence in the direction of my practice and reinforced the value of pursuing ideas that take time to develop.

Looking ahead, I have some exciting news to share. This year, I'll be exhibiting my work as part of an upcoming exhibition, which I'll be writing more about soon. I'm looking forward to sharing the next chapter of my creative journey.