The woodland wanderings of a Cavan-based jewellery artist
Cavan-based jewellery artist, Gillian Corcoran, combines her love of wildflowers, the natural world and crafting in her farm-based enterprise, Lost Forest.
Gillian told Agriland: "Our dairy farm is situated just outside Ballyjamesduff. I'm originally from Dublin, but I have had a great affinity with the countryside since I was a child.
"When I married a wonderful farmer, Paul, in 2018, my farming life began."
Gillian has always been happy to roll up her sleeves.
"I help out with feeding the calves in the spring, cleaning out their beds and making sure they have the best start to life.
"I have a small log cabin studio on the farm where I create my botanical artworks. Working from home allows me great flexibility, which is always essential when married to a dairy farmer.
"I'm therefore able to help out with small duties on the farm whenever it's necessary," she said.
'Gillian said she previously worked as an archaeologist, but when that sector was badly hit during the last recession, "I decided to take the plunge and start my own business.
"I have always been a creative person and it felt like the right time to pursue it," she explained.
"With my love of wildflowers, the natural world, and crafting, I decided to combine all these interests into a unique product.
"Although it has its ups and downs, I'm very thankful that I can work as an artist, and have continued to do so for over a decade now," Gillian said.
She explained where she finds the materials she uses in her creations.
"I mostly forage on our farm and I sustainably harvest native botanicals from the hedgerows and fields. I forage every week, sometimes daily, during spring and summer, and less so during the dormant months.
"I also have a small cottage garden, where I grow, pick, and preserve all the wildflowers I use in my jewellery-making. It's a wonderful way to connect with nature, and the passing seasons."
Lost Forest's customers are mainly located in the US.
"My jewellery is a celebration of the magic, folklore and beauty of the Irish landscape, and this resonates greatly with Americans due to our nations historical connections, " Gillian said.
"I like to think that my jewellery connects with kindred souls - those of us who have a love of magic and wonder, and of course a deep connection with the natural world,"
The artist provided some insight into which aspects of her creations she feels strike a chord with her customers.
"My lovely customers value handmade items, pieces that tell a story, and pieces that celebrate imagination.
"My best sellers would be my signature 'Looking Glass' necklaces, which hold a tiny real botanical scene within each one.
"I love creating these miniature wildflower compositions. They’re so small I have to use tweezers to compose the scenes.
"They are a unique way to preserve and wear a little part of Ireland. My 'Maidens of Folklore' crystal necklaces are also much loved, particularly due to their individual symbolism and elegant simplicity."Gillian's plan is to continue what she loves doing, creating, connecting with customers all over the globe, and to protect and respect the world around her.
"I'm lucky to live on such a beautiful farm, and it's my aim to further enhance it with native tree and hedgerow planting and to increase biodiversity," she said.
Gillian is also a keen videographer and photographer, and wants to pursue that further to be a larger focus of her business.
"Through my lens, I capture the beauty of a creative farm life on my YouTube channel and I love to share the little, often unnoticed, moments of life in the Irish countryside," she explained.
