026. Sunnyfields Apiaries
How Embracing Rural Life Led to a Passion for Beekeeping and a Blossoming Business.
Explore the world of Moira Patience Fine Jewellery, a testament to the art of creating bespoke treasures.
From childhood collections of nature’s wonders to exquisite heirloom pieces, Moira’s journey is a narrative of passion, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the Scottish landscape.
Crafting a dream.
I’ve always been fascinated by the little details in the world around me and I collected all sorts of natural trinkets like shells and pebbles as a child.
I kind of always knew that I wanted to create beautiful things for people to treasure.
I completed my jewellery training at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee and then moved on to work for the international jewellery brand Stephen Webster in London and then in Spain before returning to Scotland to work for Hamilton & Inches in Edinburgh.
Whilst I was working with bespoke clients at Hamilton & Inches, I began to see the beauty of having something completely unique and personal made especially for you.
I had always wanted to start my own jewellery brand, perhaps designing collections and selling to stores all over the world, but as time went on I realised that I was more interested in making connections with people and creating personal jewellery that meant the world to them.
I had already decided to start my own business around 2009, but it wasn’t until 2014 that I finally took the plunge and went out on my own.
The jewellery industry has changed a lot since then, mainly due to the fact that clients are looking for much more transparency on where our materials are coming from and who is making their jewellery and many more people are opting for high quality and bespoke pieces rather than mass produced ‘off-the-shelf’ jewellery.
No1. Hill Street.
Using a combination of modern technology and traditional jewellery techniques, I work closely with a small talented team (Inness, Meg and Ellen) to turn my designs into reality.
On the ground floor of a gorgeous Georgian Townhouse, our newly refurbished showroom at No.1 Hill Street is tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
This is where I work on my designs, meet with clients and drool over gemstones. It’s also open for anyone who would like to browse and try on my core collection of fine jewellery.
We’re just around the corner from Edinburgh Castle and surrounded by independent businesses, great pubs and restaurants.
It’s such a calm and uplifting space to work so I feel incredibly grateful every day.
Our inspiring landscape.
Patience has been a well known family name in The Highlands of Scotland for centuries. My Mother’s family is from a wee fishing village on The Black Isle – a beautiful peninsula just north of Inverness. I was born up there and it’s a place that’s still very close to my heart.
The rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape is a constant source of inspiration for me. From the epic mountains of the Highlands to the dramatic cliffs of the coastline, the natural world is intricately woven into the fabric of my identity and I think this comes out in my work.
My designs are usually led by the narrative from my client and I love that. What’s the occasion? How can we make this extra special? After we’ve sourced the right gemstone we then start the design process, making sure we can incorporate unique personal details for each client and make the whole experience as special as possible.
All of our fine jewellery is handcrafted in our workshop in Scotland and we’re proud to deliver some of the finest craftsmanship in the UK.
Trusting my instincts.
When I first started I was working two part-time jobs and didn’t pay myself anything from the business for about two years. Financially it was a tough tough time, but I absolutely kept the faith that this was going to work out.
I’ve made a lot of mistakes and they were all because I didn’t listen to my gut instinct. I’ve learnt to never compromise on quality, even if it means losing money in the short term.
You really do learn from mistakes and I think learning to trust your gut instinct is really important.
I’ve made a few decisions in the past that I knew deep down were not right for the business, but my lack of confidence at the time perhaps encouraged me to rely on people I shouldn’t have.
Quality. Trust. Transparency.
These days you can buy anything – the same stuff from the same brands all over the world.
I’m invested in creating truly exceptional heirloom pieces of jewellery for my clients to pass on to the next generation and treasure forever.
From the very beginning my top priority has been to provide a truly magical experience for all of my clients.
I love the personal connection; the genuine relationships I forge with people to create jewellery that tells their story. Stories of celebration, true love, heart ache and friendship – I can’t help but get wrapped up in the narrative and I’m humbled to be trusted to create such special pieces for them.
When you buy fine jewellery from us you can be sure it has been designed for longevity and crafted responsibly.
For nearly a decade, I’ve been actively researching and developing ways to minimise our impact.
As my small business grows, I’m committed to making choices that help protect our environment and support communities, from my team to our suppliers and beyond.
At the moment, I’ve found a really nice rhythm with my small team and we’re very happy with the level of service and quality of the jewellery we’re producing.
It’s hard not to get caught up in the day to day running of the business so I think it’s important to take time out with the team to reflect on what we’re doing.
I’d like to maintain the quality of service and craftsmanship, and at the same time continue to expand my core collection of customisable pieces along with my offering of unusual and responsibly sourced coloured gemstones.
In the future, if anyone is considering buying an extraordinary piece of fine jewellery, I want Moira Patience to be their first thought.
Thank you Moira for sharing your journey with us.
Your passion for the jewellery you’re crafting illuminates with the beauty in those shared human experiences and the natural world around us.
I can really see how the landscape has inspired your work and I’m sure this post will inspire so many readers who are starting out on their own Artisan journey.
I’ll be sure to pop by when visiting Edinburgh to see your beautiful location.
-Lyndsey
How Embracing Rural Life Led to a Passion for Beekeeping and a Blossoming Business.
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