5’Eleven
December 2024
Carolina Anzalone
“My father had a HUGE IMAGINATION, and he would weave these tales and take me to these WONDERFUL places. There would always be something to do with a charmed stone or a jewel.”
Natasha Wightman’s passion for jewellery was sparked in childhood, thanks to her father’s imaginative tales, which created an enthralling world filled with wondrous stones and meaningful anecdotes. The birth of NVW Jewel stems from an intimate life journey, where personal acceptance meets craftsmanship and family storytelling, embodying a unique realm inspired by nature and its elements.
“Being in nature and being on my own in nature resonates deeply with me – it’s where a lot of my inspiration comes from,” she shares, reflecting on her creative process.
One pivotal moment in her journey occurred during a visit to the Imperial jewellery room at the Hermitage in Russia, where her father’s stories came to life. “Everything he had weaved into stories was right there,” she recalls. While this experience solidified her passion, Natasha did not yet realise it would steer her away from acting and toward creating her own art jewellery.
“I [create] out of self-acceptance, rather than trying to please a demographic or a certain group of people. I’m inspired by the people I meet and the nature I observe, and that’s what guides my work.” Natasha’s designs reflect authenticity, focusing on being present. Her pieces are not meant to cater to specific tastes but rather evoke a personal connection.
“It’s not for me to tell people how they should feel about a piece. These aren’t talismans – they are what they are. People will connect in their own personal way, or they won’t. That’s their journey.”
The journey of NVW was organic, driven by a desire to combine heritage and artistry while pushing boundaries. Natasha’s path was enriched by discovering master craftsmen and artisans across Britain, whose unique techniques and mediums shaped her collections. “The more master craftsmen and artists I discovered in Britain, the more I realised there was an opportunity to create these collections… It was a quest to bring their skills in different mediums. Once I started, I didn’t want to stop.”
Her debut collection, Ravens, holds special significance. While rewilding ravens, Natasha was captivated by their intelligence, humour, and strength – qualities that inspired several pieces in the collection. Although often associated with darkness, Natasha views ravens as misunderstood, majestic creatures deserving of celebration and recognition. “Ravens were the start of this journey I’m on. They are not the journey itself, but they were the catalyst that connected me to something I wasn’t expecting.”
Nature, in all its raw beauty, plays a vital role in shaping her designs. Natasha’s love for the wild landscapes of Britain – particularly the New Forest and Dovedale – deeply influences her work. These places, rich in history and natural splendour, resonate with her and form the essence of the stories she tells through her jewellery. “It’s in stillness that I observe. I sit, I walk, and make sure I don’t have any distractions. It’s about taking in what’s around me, letting nature speak … Nature is an endless source of inspiration. The compositions in my pieces are deeply rooted in the shapes, textures, and forms that I see during these quiet moments in the wild.”
Looking forward, Natasha is developing a new collection inspired by the lost forests of Britain. Using ancient wood to carve scenes of what these woodlands looked like thousands of years ago, she seeks to capture the spirit of these timeless landscapes. For Natasha Wightman, this work is an evolving journey driven by a love for nature, heritage, and storytelling. “That’s what NVW is truly about … I want to bring the wild beauty of Britain into each piece I create – the way the wood curves, the way the light catches on stone, and the energy of the landscape itself.”
