My mother was a pharmacist during the war years, when the making of cosmetics, pills and ointments still used traditional recipes and skills. Much of this knowledge she passed to me, including her later studies into aromatherapy. My own fascination with perfumery has led me to research pomanders dating from the sixteenth century. These were used to ward off infection and surround the wearer with a beautiful fragrance. Training as a jeweller and silversmith, it was therefore a labour of love to incorporate these beads into individual pieces to be enjoyed for their beauty, fragrance and health-giving qualities.