Meet the Makers: Laura Lees Morgan
Grimsby-born Laura Lees Morgan began tinkering with jewellery at only seven years of age. ‘I tried to be a mini jeweller by melting down my Mum’s rings over the gas cooker in our council flat. Luckily, she was busy watching Columbo, and never knew!’ Always drawn to working with her hands, she took metal work in school, ‘got bored’ studying silverwork, then set out her stall in Greenwich Market in October 2018. She’s largely self-taught, still using YouTube videos to expand the skills she needs to produce distinctive, unique pieces in sterling silver and solid gold.
One range that has really taken off of late is Laura’s permanent jewellery. ‘It’s a huge trend. Massive! And it’s bringing people to Greenwich Market because they can’t afford to have it done elsewhere.’ A phenomenon driven by TikTok, permanent jewellery lets customers personalise and custom-fit welded pieces to their body – an eye-catching and tangible testament to relationships that stands the test of time. Such is the demand for Laura’s work that people will queue up on busy days, eagerly watching each stage of the process on those ahead of them.
Laura uses finely woven chains for her permanent pieces, cutting them to exact lengths then welding them on the spot to create ‘permanent’ bracelets, anklets and other adornments. With sterling silver chains starting at £20, she’s proud to offer the same service as well-known jewellers like Astrid & Miyu, but at a price her clientele can afford. Her 9- and 18-carat solid-gold chains, approved by the London Assay Office, are also proudly affordable.
Another of Laura’s unique creations is her range of ‘profanity pieces’. These tongue-in-cheek rings, earrings and bracelets are the ironic alternative to jewellery engraved with traditional sentiments like ‘Live, Laugh, Love!’ or ‘You Are Loved!’. Of course, Laura sells the traditional kind too, but the ‘profanity pieces’ have proved enduringly popular amongst customers with a darker sense of humour. Her first range sold out in a day!
Laura takes personalisation, her signature, to great lengths at her Market stall. ‘I’ve customised people’s engagement rings; then their wedding rings; and now I’m making little charms for their children. It’s lovely!’ Customers are encouraged not only to devise their own words, initials and symbols, but to actually engrave them themselves. And this intensely personal service extends well beyond the point-of-sale: Laura is happy to modify or repair pieces for her cherished customers as often as needed.
As we chat, several loyal customers drift over to Laura’s stall, draped in her bespoke necklaces, rings and bracelets, and keen to see what new creations she’s come up with. Laura’s kept keen by these devotees: once they’ve bought ‘one of everything’, she needs to get creative to give them something new.
Loyal customers, tourists and lucky Greenwich locals are not the only ones to have noticed Laura’s unique creations. After seeing her stall, Ford commissioned her to make two stunning silver hair pins for a £40 million advert, directed by Sir Ridley Scott’s son Jake and starring Mads Mikkelsen. But, despite her work achieving global exposure, Laura remains true to her roots: trading, welding, engraving and chatting with her clientele in Greenwich Market every Saturday and Sunday. She’s definitely one of the Market’s most creative and sociable makers!
Interview by Hugh McNaughtan | Photos by Ed Simmons