The Tarska Story
Welcome to Tarska, your destination for handcrafted jewellery inspired by Scotland's enchanting landscapes.
Tarska's journey traces back to 2020, during the stillness of lockdown when the world paused, and I had the opportunity to pursue a long-cherished dream of crafting jewellery.
Unable to operate my beauty business due to restrictions, I embraced the art of jewellery making with a start-up kit from a local school. I set up a small studio at home, where I immersed myself in ancient lapidary techniques and the slow, intentional process of creating jewellery by hand.
Fuelled by my passion for adventure, the beauty of nature, and a deep creative spirit, Tarska officially launched in April 2023, after three years of experimentation, creative exploration, and refining my craft.
FROM THE HEART
I’ve always been drawn to unusual stones, with their quiet energy, unique character and sense of story. At the heart of Tarska is the ancient art of lapidary: the traditional craft of cutting and polishing stones by hand. It’s a slow, meditative process that connects me deeply to the materials I work with and the land they come from.
Much of my inspiration comes from the tradition of Scottish pebble jewellery, popularised in Victorian times, where local agates, jaspers and bloodstones were shaped and set into ornate, meaningful pieces. That sense of rooted beauty, of imagination shaped in stone, continues to inspire everything I create.
Tarska brings a fresh perspective to this tradition, bridging the gap between old and new. These pieces honour the past while speaking to the present: wearable talismans that carry meaning for the wearer, each one a miniature piece of Scotland, crafted to be held, worn and cherished.
FROM THE LAND
At Tarska, my mission is to showcase the inherent beauty of the stones I adore while honouring and respecting the land from which they originate.
Every stone in Tarska Jewellery's range is hand-collected, lovingly sourced by local collectors, geologists, and myself, ensuring that each piece holds a unique story. With painstaking dedication, I cut and polish these stones by hand at my studio nestled in historic Falkirk, at the heart of Scotland.
PUTTING TARSKA ON THE MAP
Tarska draws its inspiration from Tarskavaig, a tiny crofting village which clings to the coastline on the Sleat peninsula of Skye, often revered as 'the Garden of Skye.' The rugged beauty of the name perfectly complements my jewellery, which draws inspiration from the raw, spiritual essence of the Scottish terrain.
For me, Tarskavaig carries special significance, as it's where my beloved Nana was born and raised. Fond memories of her teaching me Gaelic phrases as a child have inspired the names of all the pieces in collection, serving as a heartfelt tribute that echoes the rich cultural heritage of Scottish Gaelic.
At Tarska, I create jewellery with a sense of place: pieces shaped by hand, inspired by nature, and made to hold meaning. Each one is a quiet reflection of Scotland’s wild beauty, crafted for you to wear, treasure and keep close. Small talismans to connect you to the land, to yourself and to something deeper.
Thanks for supporting an independent, female founded Scottish jewellery business.
Kathryn
