A Little About Me

A Little about me...

I have always loved travel and have been fortunate to have lived in many wonderful places but when my daughter Norah was born 5 yeas ago I decided to move back to Ireland to be close to my family.

She has an idyllic life; feeds calves with her granddad, collects eggs with her cousins and attends the same school I went to as a child as did her granddad. We live on a farm so we get to grow our own vegetables and fruit, it is a simple enjoyable life with is full of simple pleasures.

There is a wonderful sense of community and belonging here and the Irish are very positive and happy. There is always laughter and a bit of craic as we say here.

My Art background...

I have always drawn from an early age and was known to have drawn murals on walls…uninvited. I attended the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and it was totally the first time I truly felt like I knew what made me tick. I loved my time there and studied Textiles. I worked in textiles after graduating with Nigel Atkinson in London, in New Zealand with Nigla Dickson and in New York. I designed fabrics for costume, Fashion and interiors. It is a real thrill to see your fabrics in Vogue, on TV or go to a Broadway show and see a costume on stage.

I loved collecting art work, collage, prints and I am totally drawn to line and shape and pattern. I developed a passion for vintage, and while living in New York started to collect items that have a history. Then discovered Ebay…the rest is history!! Let’s just say I have “won!” many items!

My artistic practice what it means to me...

I am so fortunate that I love what I do and I do what I love. I spend my time creating and making beautiful pieces, when I am not doing that I will go for walks, garden, play with my daughter…have a picnic in the garden or visit friends.

I take my notebook to the gardens and spend time being alone there, just brainstorming and writing. Ideas flow and inspiration comes. I think just having quite time in nature is so wonderful. It totally works for me. I am the list queen so there are many notebooks filled with lists and they all get done (eventually).

How the Clare Jordan products happen...

I have a passion for collage and coupled with a healthy ebay obsession I decided to combine the 2 elements. I also adore glitter…I just thing glitter adds magic!

It is the childhood fantasy of magic and sparkles and wonderment that it creates. So I combined the elements to create what is currently the Clare Jordan collection. I use amazing glitter that is high sparkle, beveled glass that is really high quality and French ribbon. All the materials are high quality so the finished pieces are collectibles and keepables.

We are living in a disposable era and I want pieces that are the opposite…they are carefully designed, made, and are designed to last and be enjoyed for a long time. Everything about the line screams quality and there is time and love gone into each piece. This is not about mass production, this is about keeping each piece special.

I design many bespoke pieces for customers such as baby name plaques, mementos of loved ones, wedding gifts, birthday customized pieces and I love doing those pieces. They are heartfelt and when I get notes from the recipients telling me how much they mean to them I know that we are doing it right.

My influences...

I am inspired by a piece of fabric, a photo someone sends me, an overheard conversation, life inspires me. I adore so many artists but some of my favorites are Frida Kahlo, Rob Ryan, Allanah Hill the fashion designer. I love the artist Katherine Dunn not only for her painting but for the way she lives her life. My friend Eric Anfinson (a wonderful artist) inspires me…people’s journeys inspire me and I love that we can cheer each other on.

A day in the life of Clare Jordan, how it gets from me to you...

I would love to tell you that this is a high powered production outfit that is stressful and very very important… but the reality is that is really fun and enjoyable. I have family and friends who help me with production especially during the busy times. We still take time to have tea and laughs, my mother is an amazing cook so we get freshly baked scones and bread and goodies daily…it is great!

Each piece is made with love and we have a little chat about who they are going to…I feel that I know many of my customers even though I have never met them, but we have a connection and have formed friendships via phone and email…it is wonderful.

When the orders are filled I take them to my local post office called “The Black Cat” and Phil make sure they go safely to their destinations…never has one parcel gone missing yet.

Who buys from me, who are you?

I am so blessed…I have the most amazing customers in the world…I sell mostly to women as most of my products are designed for women….so I sell to great store owners and individuals all over the world…from all over the USA to Europe and as far as Dubai and New Zealand. My products are gifted to mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and work colleagues.

Most of these amazing ladies I have never actually met but through email and phone conversations we have shared details of our lives and become friends…it is a wonderful connection.

Many of my customers order custom pieces. I love to connect with my customers and customize the products to their needs. I have 2 stores in the UK that come to mind, Bijouled and Atticus Boo…they both order bespoke pieces especially for their customers and they send me photos to do custom designs for their customers.

What you have told me...

It is the little notes and letters that customers send me that make my day…I have received so many uplifting stories from store owners and individuals who received a piece as a gift telling me how it made them feel to receive something so special.

I had a young girl in the UK who saved her pocket money to buy a fairy piece and I have received lots of emails from ladies who collect my pieces and have them displayed as a collection.

I love that something I create can brighten someone’s day. They are items that are truly purchased as a love token to let someone know how special they are to them…that is the gift.

I am getting suggestions of new products …next is a plan to create more items of beauty.

What’s next?

I have just added some really fun designs to the new Drama Queen line for Card Mix and we are working on a new inspirational collection. That is very exciting and I love working with the Card Mix team. They make all the cards in the UK and it is a family run business.

I am working on a new collection to be launched this August…so watch this space

The biggest development has been the Clare Jordan Website…I have had hundreds of requests asking where people can buy the full line and thankfully now I can say on ClareJordan.com!!

It has taken so much longer than expected…but I hope people think it is worth the wait. I am offering free shipping on all orders regardless of size to say thanks for the support and custom.

I am building a new studio with views into fields and lots of space…so this is just the beginning of a very fun and hopefully long journey.