Featured Maker // May Hofman
May Hofman
Jewellery Designer
Rosie May Hofman has always been drawn to intriguing objects, from the necklace around her Mother’s neck to her Grandparents’ silver ornaments. Through an enriching childhood spent in rural Gloucestershire; building dens, collecting shells, leaf skeletons and seed-cases; a love for small, beautiful, intricate elements emerged and a passion for jewellery making began. Rosie has an early memory of making and selling friendship bracelets at festivals with her brother. Her love of making spread into her teens and she began to sell to local people. The bead shop in Bristol was her favourite place to be!
When Rosie discovered she could study jewellery at university, she was both delighted and determined to follow that path. Rosie went on to study HND Jewellery Design and Silversmithing & BA Design for Industry at Birmingham School of Jewellery. Her work has since been recognised for multiple awards and achievements.
Rosie is proud to have an iconic brand, May Hofman, with a signature modular concept. Built with individually designed components, that can be strung, stacked and interconnected in different arrangements. Designed for both men and women, the brand's approach creates endless possibilities of configurations and options so her creativity is stimulated.
Rosie’s business has evolved into a sustainable and ethical one as she has become a Fairmined licensed brand meaning Rosie can take commissions in ethically mined gold and silver along with all her gold plating now using Fairmined. Not knowing where her gold was coming from and whose lives it may negatively be impacting really didn’t sit well with Rosie. With her style based on gold and black elements, Rosie had to find an alternative and was delighted when she discovered Fairmined plating had come to the UK. Rosie only uses suppliers based in the UK for a minimal carbon footprint and believes in locally sourcing materials. Rosie has also partnered with JUST ONE TREE meaning for every sale, one tree is planted. This is very important to Rosie because she is passionate about making good choices that help the environment. She strives to evolve even more in reducing her environmental impact and believes if more businesses did this, the world would be a much better place.
Here Rosie tells us a little more about the power of creativity, her inspirations and her favourite piece to make…
Why is creativity important to you?
My creativity gives me a way to make sense of the world and gives me a sense of identity. That which is beyond words, I can express through my work. It is important to me that my inner expression is heard through abstract form. Creativity connects us all on different wavelengths. I believe it can heal, warm the heart, and excite and enrich people's lives and my own. I have always been creative; it is at the core of who I am. My calling is to make treasures that delight people in metal. Hopefully my work brings a little more joy into the world. I always have so many ideas flying around in my head, it is good to bring them down to earth and make ideas become physical reality.
Is there a particular season you find most inspiring?
Spring is my favourite as it always feels like a fresh new start and is when the markets normally start up again after a very cold January and February.
“Creativity connects us all on different wavelengths. I believe it can heal, warm the heart, and excite and enrich people’s lives.”
Which is your favourite piece to make and why?
The Talis necklaces. They were my first conceptual pieces and they remain my favourite to look at and to make. They are endless in possibilities as I enjoy the different configurations that can be created. I sit with loads of elements ready to thread together. It feels intuitive and an instinctive way of creating my pieces that is an echo from my childhood love of bead work. The tactile qualities of these pieces have a comforting and grounding effect on people and often children are drawn to them.
Tell us about your inspirations
Originally inspired by the mechanics of nature, my designs have evolved into geometric and playful creations taking onboard a tapestry of influences. Using an infusion of gold and oxidised silver alongside tactile components, a signature mechanical style is achieved. I see the almost instinctive need for expression through metal taps into deep-seated human desires of connection and understanding. There is so much that we can learn about our ancient ancestors from what they left behind - and equally, the jewellery we have today will go on to tell stories about our lives, once we are gone.
Today’s overarching story is the environment: what we are doing to protect our ecosystems and resources to ensure that our race will live on. That fact hit me hard and sustainability has become a duty and a necessity, not a nice-to-have. My daily mission is to channel eco-anxiety and environmental fears into May Hofman - to make it a positive force for change and inspiration. Committed to transparency in sustainability, I am to empower responsible suppliers, support a slow and conscious consumerism and protect the earth’s finite resources while creating jewellery that enriches others.
Visit the website & online shop: mayhofman.com
Follow on Instagram: @mayhofman
