Woven With: ætla's Keira Wraae Stewart
Over the past couple of years, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Keira Wraae-Stewart, the creative force behind ætla. From collaborating on her events - where Woven has poured drinks for guests - to sharing stories late into the evening at gatherings we've crossed paths at across the city, we’ve come to know Keira not just as a thoughtful curator of craft, but as a friend.
Nestled in Edinburgh’s old town sits ætla (pronounced “at-la”) - founded by Keira in 2020. With Faroese and Scottish roots, she returned to the UK after a decade in London and Thailand to launch a boutique that champions jewellery made by independent designer-makers under ethical and sustainable principles.
We recently caught up with Keira following her Fringe exhibition, Icons of Scottish Jewellery - a project that shone a light on the new wave of designer-makers shaping Scotland’s creative landscape. Our conversation wandered through ideas of making, ritual and place - and how blending traditions, materials and perspectives can lead to something both grounded and new.
What follows is part of our Woven With series - ongoing conversations with people we've connected with over whisky, whose work captures the spirit of blending: of ideas, flavour, craft and connection.
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Q: WHAT'S YOUR MOST SACRED RITUAL?
A: "To know me is to know I’ve never been a morning person. I always need a little time in the morning to feel human. Coffee comes first, then a shower - sometimes a cold one to jolt me properly awake. After that I take my dog Wilbur out for a walk with a podcast, which gives me the headspace before the day kicks off. By then I’m (usually!) ready to face whatever the day throws at me."
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Q: WHERE DO YOU GO // OR WHAT DO YOU DO TO RECHARGE YOUR CREATIVITY?
A: "Usually being by or on the sea, or out in the hills or near a mountain does that for me. I need to be reminded of something bigger than myself - it reminds me that nature is in charge and it helps me zoom out from the little day to day things that don’t really matter."
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Q: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK INSPIRED YOU?
A: "I saw Aubrey Levinthal’s Mirror Matter exhibition at Ingleby Gallery the other week. I was so drawn in by the way she used colour - flashes of brightness set against muted tones which felt very Edinburgh coded to me. The compositions were surprising too, with shifting perspectives that gave the work a somewhat jarring and distinctive feel."
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Q: IS THERE A PARTICULAR TASTE, SCENT OR SOUND THAT TAKES YOU HOME?
A: "Home can mean different things for me. In the Faroes, for some reason, it is the smell of common blackcurrant hedges growing around people’s gardens. The scent hangs in the air as you walk past - sharp and green, almost chemical and impossible to mistake.
Whenever I encounter the smell here in Scotland it stops me right in my tracks and transports me straight back. In Edinburgh, predictably, it’s the smell of brewing beer drifting through the city. I don’t actually love it - half the time it makes me think something is on fire! But it’s so distinctive and will always be Edinburgh’s scent."
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Q: WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE US FOR THE BEST PIZZA IN EDINBURGH?
A: "I’d be honoured to take the Woven team out for a pizza! I’d take you to what I’m sure is already your local go-to, Civerinos Slice on Portobello promenade on a crisp, slightly windy day. All wrapped up, slice in hand, and maybe a frozen margarita in the other? The combination of the setting, the sea air and the food is just perfection."
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Q: WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD GATHERING?
A: "Being around people you feel relaxed with. When it’s not forced, no one’s trying to impress, and everyone’s just enjoying themselves. Add good food, good music, and a sense of humour, and that’s all you need!"
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Q: WHAT DOES 'BLENDING' MEAN TO YOU?
A: "Blending is part of who I am. I was brought up with both Scottish and Faroese heritage, with other Nordic roots as well and that mix has shaped the way I see the world. It has given me a deep respect for heritage craft and hand-making, while also making me open to contrast and difference.
In jewellery, blending might mean traditional hand-forging alongside new digital processes, or the contrast of something rough with something refined. I think about it when I curate the boutique too, placing jewellers side by side so their work brings out the best in each other, and encouraging clients to mix eras, metals and styles in the way they wear their jewellery. It creates pieces and collections that have more depth and character, and ultimately reflect identity as much as design."
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Q: HOW DID YOUR EDINBURGH FRINGE EXHIBITION 'ICONS OF SCOTTISH JEWELLERY' GO?
A: "The Fringe exhibition this year was incredible. It was busy from start to finish and what excited me most was the number of new people coming through the doors, people curious to see what Scotland’s designer-makers are creating right now. There was such a genuine interest in the work, which felt like a real affirmation of what we are building with ætla."
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Q: WHAT'S NEXT FOR AETLA?
A: "Looking ahead, we have just taken over the space where ætla first began, Space at Seventeen, which feels like a full-circle moment. Right now we are in the brainstorming phase, shaping an events programme for 2026 that will allow us to use the space in new and exciting ways.Alongside this, we’re continuing our residency programme with four new jewellers joining us for the winter season. November also marks ætla’s fifth birthday, which we’ll be celebrating with a Sample Sale on the 15th in ætla studio. We’re also putting more focus on bespoke work, which has become such an important part of what we do. And of course, there are other projects in the pipeline… but those will stay under wraps for now."
{Featured photos by Sophie Hannigan @scottishfoodgirl
and Solen Collet @solencollet}
Stay tuned for more stories from the makers and creatives we’re proud to be Woven With.