Everything is connected—hardships bring new life, and the best feelings take time and care to grow. And yes, I’m also quite happy to encourage the myth that I live in a giant toadstool, where I read runes while squirrels serve me nettle tea.
I’ve been a body piercer for the past ten years, the last two of which have been in my own studio @silvershores, in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. Before that, I worked in metallographic testing within the aviation industry, in the medical field and as a silversmith. Piercing felt like a natural way to bring all that experience together, but with more freedom and more connection to people.
I love being a piercer because it allows me to meet people at their most stripped-back human. Helping someone realise their dreams of self-expression, feel proud of themselves, or even overcome a fear is an incredibly rewarding experience.
I’m a very social person, and I thrive on connection. My collection is fully forged in the fires of finding your tribe and living in nature. My inner child sits on logs for hours watching bugs crawl, leaves fall, and all the magic of nature.
I’ve drawn symbolism from various cultures that have found ways to express the beauty and interconnectedness of our relationship with nature. This includes Nordic runes that can be worn as binds or talismans, the double spiral to represent balance, and the Awen symbol, which signifies where the light finds us.
The concept is rooted in the evolution of humanity—our ability to collaborate and support each other—and the broader cycle of life itself. I wanted to create pieces that incorporate texture, flow, and colour, and that can be worn together harmoniously.
My inspiration is a patchwork of ideas drawn from everything I love, from William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement to The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. These are stitched together with people who make my life wonderful: the wilder spirits I’ve talked with while watching the sunrise on Glastonbury Tor, my sister laughing with me as we get soaked in the woods, and my grandmother holding down branches so I could pick berries.
Everything is connected—hardships bring new life, and the best feelings take time and care to grow. And yes, I’m also quite happy to encourage the myth that I live in a giant toadstool, where I read runes while squirrels serve me nettle tea.
I want people to wear my jewellery as a reminder of their inner power, as reassurance of all the things that matter to them, and as a reminder that they can always escape to the woods if they need to.
Or just because it looks great—whatever works for you!
You can find Charlie Youngs @charlieyoungsstudio at Silver Shores, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.
Charlie's Collection
