5:55pm Thursday 22nd September 2005
By Louisa Barnett
When Natalie Leon began playing with her mother's beads as a child, never in her wildest dreams did she expect to be designing jewellery for some of the top stores in the country.
But for the 21-year-old from Barnet Lane, Elstree, this was a hobby she turned into a career. "I've always loved jewellery," she said.
"My mum is very interested in it and is a great collector of antiques, so I was inspired by her.
"She used to take me to fairs and I would always play with the beads. I never really stopped, and here I am now."
Despite only selling her jewellery for just over a year, Natalie's designs have already been snapped up at Harvey Nichols in Leeds, Oi! in Portobello Road and Tradewinds in Marylebone High Street. Her designs have even reached as far as Cornwall, where her work is currently being exhibited at The Blue Wing Gallery in Padstow.
Natalie, who is also studying book art at The London College of Communication, has set up her own studio from home, where she makes bespoke designs to order.
She continued: "I buy my beads from India, Turkey all over really. I love vintage beads and collect and buy them whenever I can.
"I have 1950s West German beads and ones from the Japanese war in the Second World War.
"I also buy crystals, glass and sugar beads from the 1960s, which are very rare but are so beautiful in the way they catch the light.
"My style is classic but original. I am bringing to life the special vintage components that I see and, above all, I'm interested in quality, originality and colour."
Most of Natalie's designs come to her as she sits in her studio rather through hours of sketching.
"I experiment and try out different colours and designs, and just switch off into another world," she said.
"It's very therapeutic and relaxing, and I get completely engrossed. I can be up here for five hours and it will feel like five minutes.
"I just love it and couldn't imagine doing anything else in the world."
Anyone interested in looking at Natalie's designs can visit www.shewhoneedsbeads.com or email her at shewhoneedsbeads@aol.com She can also be contacted by calling 07957 588 651.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk