As I sit down to plan my travel for this year, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on my design trip to India in 2024. It’s been a few months now, but the memories are still so vivid – a whirlwind of colour, creativity, and inspiration.

Finding Creativity in India

Before every design trip, there’s always a little worry: Will the inspiration come? But as soon as I arrived in India, surrounded by the explosion of life and vibrant colours, any doubts melted away. Ideas just seemed to flow effortlessly.

I flew into Delhi and made my way straight to Jaipur, where all our handmade jewellery is created. I always stay at the Arya Niwas Hotel, a cozy heritage-style spot that feels like home. It’s such a welcoming place, filled with other creative professionals – I often bump into familiar faces, which makes it even more special.

Creating New Designs

As soon as I arrive, it’s straight to work. My time in Jaipur is always busy, with most days spent visiting the two main manufacturers I’ve worked with for years. Occasionally, I collaborate with smaller workshops too. Days seem to fly by – mornings quickly turn into evenings – and there’s never quite enough time!

I usually arrive with a few ideas, but most of my designs come to life while I’m there. I hand-draw everything, discussing each concept with the artisans before starting the sampling process. It’s a detailed and often time-consuming journey, but it’s worth it when a new piece finally feels perfect.

On this trip, I worked on:

• The Oasis Palm Collection – Inspired by the palm trees of Ibiza and my travels to Morocco, these designs capture that sunny holiday feeling.
• Huggie Earrings Collection – I wanted to create timeless, everyday earrings with beautiful stones and intricate details. Seeing them make it into our bestsellers list was such a proud moment!
• Moroccan Dream Collection – I used patterns and symbols from Morocco to create charms for gemstone necklaces. Local women hand-threaded these necklaces with natural gemstones, giving them that extra sparkle and meaning.

Exploring Jaipur’s Best Spots

While most of the trip was work-focused, I made time to enjoy some of Jaipur’s gems. My favourite discoveries this time were:

• The Johri – A stunning restaurant in the Johri Bazaar with Jaipur-pink walls (the same shade as our gift boxes!) and amazing cocktails.
• Palladio and Shikaar Bagh – Two dreamy spots for food and drinks. The interiors are enchanting, and the garden at Shikaar Bagh is lovely.
• Tapri Central – A quirky tea room overlooking Jaipur Central Park – perfect for a relaxed break.

One morning, one of my manufacturers took me to Galta Ji, also known as the Monkey Temple. It’s such a fascinating place, but the monkeys definitely live up to their reputation – keep a tight hold on your things!

A Quick Getaway to Pushkar

I also managed to sneak in a couple of days in Pushkar, a peaceful town about two hours from Jaipur. I stayed at the Seventh Heaven Hotel, a beautiful haveli-style hotel filled with charm. There’s even a friendly hotel cat who loves snuggling up on your bed – such a lovely little touch!

Pushkar was buzzing when I arrived – February is peak wedding season. The streets were alive with music, brass bands, and grooms riding white horses. Walking around the holy lake was a real highlight for me. It’s such a peaceful yet lively place, with so much happening on the ghats (steps leading to the water).

Choosing Gemstones

Back in Jaipur, I visited a stone-cutting workshop – one of my favourite parts of the process. Watching rough stones being transformed into sparkling gems is fascinating, and the skill of the artisans is incredible.

I personally handpick all the gemstones we use in our jewellery, always looking for unique, high-quality pieces. Stone buying has become a bit of a challenge recently, with prices going up for raw materials, but I always make sure we source the best for our designs.

Capturing the Beauty of Jaipur

This trip, I had the chance to work with Puneet Yadav, a talented photographer and guide. We spent a day shooting content at some of Jaipur’s most iconic spots.

We started at sunrise at Amber Fort – my favourite palace in Jaipur with its breathtaking views and stunning architecture. From there, we visited the Jaipur Flower Market (a sensory overload in the best way!) and ended the day at City Palace, with its famous painted doorways that make the perfect backdrop.

The photos turned out beautifully – you might have seen some of them on our social media or website. If you’re ever in Jaipur, I highly recommend doing a shoot like this to capture the magic of the city.

Looking Ahead

After nearly two months in Jaipur, leaving always feels bittersweet. It’s become like a second home, and every trip brings so much inspiration.

This time, I worked on so many exciting new designs that I can’t wait to share with you in 2025. Watch this space for lots of beautiful new pieces – straight from my heart (and sketches) to yours.