Our story: unearthing Britain's hidden past
Welcome to History Unearthed, where every piece tells a tale. Discover the passion, process and philosophy that breathe new life into forgotten fragments of British history.
The spark of discovery
From the beginning
History has fascinated me for as long as I can remember, since childhood trips to London with my Nan. I remember how excited I felt imagining those people who had passed through the same spaces - touching the bannisters as they made their way down the staircase, exactly as I was doing. It still gives me goosebumps to this day.
Those moments of connection changed the way I see history. Visiting museums and looking through the glass at incredible objects, preserved for centuries, I just wished I could reach out and touch them. History was my favourite school subject - learning everything I could about our ancestors - i had a real thirst to know about the social history behind the people. Unfortunately, the education system dulled that spark for a while. Until i began seriously searching for and finding amazing little broken pieces of the past.
Each piece unique in its own way - each crafted with care by someone long ago who would have had no idea the impact their creation would have on someone like me hundred's sometimes thousands of years later.
These aren't simply old objects—they are tangible links to real people, real places and everyday lives. That is what inspired the creation of History Unearthed.
Today, every piece of jewellery and every painting I create begins with the same sense of curiosity and respect that first drew me outdoors. My aim is not only to preserve these fragments, but to share their stories so that others can experience that same connection with Britain's remarkable past.
The moment you hold a fragment that has survived hundreds of years, history stops feeling distant. It becomes real.
The journey of discovery
Metal detecting and Mudlarking
Whether I'm mudlarking along the shoreline or out metal detecting in the countryside, the excitement of uncovering something that hasn't been seen for decades—or even centuries—never fades.
Every find begins a journey. I carefully clean and conserve each piece, then spend hours researching its history to understand what it is, when it was made and, wherever possible, the people who may once have owned or used it. I believe every object has a story to tell, and uncovering that story is just as rewarding as discovering the find itself.
One of the things I value most is the wonderful community that surrounds mudlarking and metal detecting. It's a community built on shared knowledge, respect for our heritage and a genuine excitement for discovering the past. I've learned so much from fellow detectorists, mudlarks and historians, and I love sharing my own discoveries through exhibitions, talks and my jewellery.
Creating jewellery allows these remarkable pieces of history to continue their journey. Rather than remaining tucked away in a drawer, they can be worn, admired and talked about for years to come. My hope is that when someone wears one of my pieces, they feel a connection to the past and experience a little of the excitement, curiosity and wonder that I felt the moment I uncovered it. Every piece carries its own story—and by wearing it, you become part of that story too.
Researching the Past
For me, the discovery is only the beginning. Every pottery sherd and historic find deserves to have its story uncovered, and researching each piece is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Over the years I've built an extensive reference library, using specialist books on British pottery, transferware patterns, makers' marks and historic ceramics to identify and date my finds. Resources such as Richard Hemery's Sherd: Identifying Britain's Pottery, One Piece at a Time and other respected pottery and transferware reference works are invaluable in helping me understand where a fragment came from, who made it and the period in which it was used.
Research often means comparing patterns, studying backstamps, tracing manufacturers and learning about the people who once owned these everyday objects. What may appear to be just a small fragment of pottery can reveal a fascinating glimpse into Britain's social history.
I believe that understanding an object's history gives it a new purpose. That's why I share the story behind many of my jewellery pieces, allowing each customer to own not only a beautiful handmade item, but also a genuine connection to the past. Every piece carries a history waiting to be discovered—and I love bringing those stories back to life.
"Every forgotten fragment has a story worth telling."
More than anything, I hope History Unearthed inspires people to see Britain's past in a new way. History isn't just something to be read about or viewed behind glass—it's something we can discover, hold and connect with.
Every fragment has survived centuries of change, carrying the stories of the people who came before us. By preserving those stories, we gain a deeper appreciation of our shared heritage and the responsibility we all have to protect both the historic landscapes and the natural environment that help preserve them for future generations. That's why every piece is carefully researched and accompanied by as much historical information as possible. It's also why I'm passionate about exhibitions and, in the future, educational visits that allow people—especially young people—to experience history in a more personal and meaningful way.
Whether someone wears one of my pieces, hangs one of my paintings on their wall, or visits an exhibition, I hope they leave feeling inspired to look more closely at the world around them and come away believing that every forgotten fragment still has a story worth telling.