One year on: Mayo creative business wins big at Micro Business Awards

Exactly one year on from her interview with The Mayo News, Vicky Gray of ‘Born from the Sea’, the west Mayo jewellery business,  won the "Young Entrepreneur " category at the Micro Business Awards Ireland. 

The award ceremony took place on Saturday last, October 18, at The Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise, where the Westport native was amongst the other nominees up for an award at the Micro Business Awards.

“I was nominated back in December last year,” she recalls. “I got word that I’d actually been shortlisted in three categories - Retail Excellence in Retail and Hospitality, Start-Up Star, and the Young Entrepreneur.”

With around 4,000 entrants nationwide, being shortlisted to the final seven in separate categories was no small matter. “I honestly couldn’t believe it.” She recalls. “We had to create a short video about our business - how it started, what it means to us - and luckily, my brother works in media, so he made a professional video for me.”

While the awards and recognition have been great milestones, the work continues behind the scenes. Her handcrafted jewellery business, inspired by the colours and textures of the sea, has been making waves over the last year.  Last year, her work was featured in the RSVP magazine Christmas gift guide, one of the few handmade brands included in the “Gifts for Her” section.

“I was really buzzed with that feature because I was one of the only handcrafted businesses featured.”

Since then, Vicky says she’s been focusing on expanding her range and her website. Recently, she’s experimented with framed wall art pieces. These larger, one-of-a-kind creations bring her distinctive coastal aesthetic to home decor. 

“It’s the same creative process, but on a larger scale. With jewellery, you’re very limited by size. With a wall piece, you can really play with colour and movement.”

Vicky also spoke about other creative work that is on the horizon.

“I have been thinking about statement hair pieces, bespoke accessories for weddings or special occasions,” She says. “I made one for myself a couple of years ago, and it went down really well. I’d love to offer that as part of my collection.”

Her jewellery includes designs on pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets, each unique, as no two pieces are ever the same. “That’s the beauty of it,” she said. “ Every single one is different. I don’t need to redesign, I just recreate.”

As the festive season approaches, she is keeping things local this time around in her close area of Westport. Vicky will be selling her pieces at The Westport Makers market set to take place in the town hall on December 12 and 13.

Additionally, she will sell at the Westport Estate market every weekend from November 15 until the weekend of December 21.