Meet the Designer: Sare of SARE Jewellery – There’s something rather special about jewellery that tells a story. Whether it’s a piece that reminds us of someone we love, a treasured find picked up on our travels or something that simply makes us feel a little more like ourselves, the pieces we choose to wear can be surprisingly personal.
For Sare, founder and designer behind SARE Jewellery, that sense of individuality is at the heart of everything she creates. A graduate of London College of Fashion, she combines her design background with influences from her Turkish Cypriot heritage, bringing together bohemian style, gothic details and traditional symbolism to create something distinctly her own.
Working from her home studio in the UK, Sare creates handmade jewellery that celebrates individuality without the luxury price tag. From intricate beading to the protective symbolism of the nazar, her designs draw on heritage and craftsmanship while embracing a more unconventional approach to personal style.
We caught up with Sare to find out what inspired her to start her own jewellery brand, how her cultural roots influence her designs and why she believes the pieces we wear should be enjoyed every day, rather than saved for a special occasion.
Your jewellery brings together Turkish Cypriot heritage, bohemian influences and gothic aesthetics. How did these different elements come together, and how much of your own personality can we see in your designs?
I think these influences have come together quite naturally because they all reflect different sides of who I am – a bit of a hippie and a bit of a goth. My Turkish Cypriot heritage has given me an appreciation for symbols, traditions and the meaning that can be attached to jewellery. I’ve never quite fit into one particular style, and I think that comes through in my jewellery. I love the contrast between playful, traditional and dark, so my designs are very personal to me, and I want people to feel that they can express different sides of their own personalities through what they wear too.
Ultimately, my jewellery is an extension of my creativity and identity, bringing together all the things I love.
You talk about jewellery carrying energy and meaning, from the protective nazar to talismanic symbols. Are there particular traditions or pieces of jewellery from your own upbringing that have stayed with you and influenced your work today?
My Turkish Cypriot heritage has definitely influenced the way I think about jewellery, particularly the idea that certain symbols can carry meaning beyond their appearance. The nazar, or evil eye, is a good example of this, as I have had evil eye jewellery for as long as I can remember. I had a gold pendant pinned to my cot as a baby, tiny evil eye necklaces and bracelets as a young child, beaded evil eye jewellery as a teenager in the 90s and, as an adult, it is naturally part of my everyday wear. As a jewellery designer, this is something I try to bring into my work. I don’t try to recreate traditional designs, but rather take inspiration and reinterpret it in a way that feels personal and contemporary.
My mum was also a huge influence on me, as she always wore beautiful jewellery, from her stacks of 22k gold ‘Burma bilezik’ twisted bangles and chunky gold costume jewellery to the diamante earrings and necklaces that were so iconic in the 80s.
The giving of jewellery itself was very symbolic in my family too. Every special occasion was marked with a piece of jewellery from my mum and grandmother, and I have kept every single piece, including some amazing emerald and amethyst pieces. These lovely memories helped shape my love of jewellery from an early age.
You studied at London College of Fashion but also taught yourself to make jewellery. What inspired you to turn your creativity into a business, and was there a particular moment when you realised this could become something more than a personal passion?
Studying at London College of Fashion helped me develop my eye for design and think more about how personal style can communicate something about who we are. But making jewellery was something I explored independently, experimenting with materials, colours and combinations until I started developing a style of my own.
I don’t think there was one defining moment when everything clicked. It’s been a gradual journey that began with experimenting with designs for myself, because I struggled to find jewellery that felt quite right for me and reflected my personal style.
What inspired me to turn it into a business was the possibility of creating and sharing something that felt genuinely personal. I wanted to bring together all the different things I’m drawn to and turn my creativity into something tangible while building a brand that gives people the freedom to express themselves.
Every sale and positive response have encouraged me to keep developing SARE Jewellery and take it more seriously as a business. I’m still learning as I go, which is one of the things I enjoy about running an independent brand. There’s always something new to experiment with, whether that’s a technique, a design or a different way of sharing my work with people.
You believe expressive design shouldn’t be out of reach and want your pieces to be worn and enjoyed every day rather than saved for special occasions. How do you balance the time and craftsmanship that goes into handmade jewellery with keeping it affordable?
For me, it comes down to being thoughtful about both the design and the materials I use. I want SARE Jewellery to be a brand where people can find something that feels individual and expressive without feeling like they have to save it for a special occasion or spend a fortune on it.
Making jewellery by hand means, of course, that every piece takes time, from designing each piece and threading beads to painting charms and assembling intricate designs. I try to balance that craftsmanship with affordability by keeping my designs accessible and working with materials that allow me to create pieces that are distinctive without unnecessarily increasing the price. I also enjoy experimenting with different techniques and combinations of materials, which means I can offer a variety of designs at different price points.
Ultimately, I want people to feel that they’re buying something made with care and creativity, while still being able to enjoy the experience of discovering and wearing jewellery that reflects their personality. For me, handmade doesn’t have to mean inaccessible, and expressive style shouldn’t be reserved for a special occasion.
Independent designers often put a little of themselves into everything they create. What would you love someone to feel when they wear a piece of SARE Jewellery, and what exciting ideas or designs would you like to explore next?
I’d love someone wearing SARE Jewellery to feel like they’re expressing a part of themselves, whether it’s their darker, more alternative side, their love of colour, or their connection to something symbolic or meaningful. I’ve always been drawn to things that feel a little unusual or unexpected, and I want my jewellery to give people the confidence to experiment with their style and wear things simply because they love them, rather than because they’re following a particular trend.
I also love the idea of jewellery becoming something personal to someone. A piece might remind them of a person, represent a belief or simply make them feel good whenever they put it on. I think that’s one of the most interesting things about jewellery: the same piece can mean something completely different to different people.
As for what’s next, I want to keep experimenting and pushing my designs in new directions. I’m particularly interested in introducing different pieces such as glasses chains, creating more pieces that incorporate clay work, and working with gemstones and natural elements. I’d like to continue building on the styles and influences that already inspire me while finding new ways to bring colour, texture and meaning into my designs. For me, it’s about keeping the creative process open-ended, allowing myself to experiment and discover new ideas, and making sure the range continues to evolve while retaining the individuality and character that make the pieces feel personal and distinctive.
A little individuality, a lot of meaning
What makes independent designers like Sare so interesting is the personal story behind the pieces they create. SARE Jewellery brings together cultural heritage, creative expression and a belief that jewellery can be meaningful without having to come with a hefty price tag.
Whether you’re drawn to bohemian layers, darker gothic details or jewellery with a little symbolism woven into its design, Sare’s collection offers an alternative to the ordinary. And perhaps that’s the appeal of independent designers: finding something a little different, with a story and personality of its own.
You can discover more of Sare’s handmade designs and explore the collection at SARE Jewellery on Etsy.
Poppy Watt