kate seow

Kate Seow Jewellery

What I do

I am an artisanal fine jeweller based in the North East of England. I create refined jewels from precious metals and gemstones using traditional techniques. My inspiration is drawn from the inherent beauty of the gemstones I work with  - their colour, shape and imperfections that make them unique. By exploring colour combinations and geometric arrays drawn from the natural world, I endeavour to showcase Earth’s treasures to their fullest.

I take my responsibility to both people and planet seriously, which is why I attempt to minimise harm by sourcing all my materials responsibly. The gemstones that take centre stage in my designs are almost exclusively sourced from small, trusted suppliers where the journey from mine to finished piece can be fully traced and assurances that are made about fair and safe working conditions can be relied on. Where suitable natural gemstones cannot be sourced, I will use synthetic stones from companies that adhere to strong social and environmental principles. Similarly, I use precious metals including Single Mine Origin Gold, Fairmined Gold and recycled silver, where ethical and ecological best practices are at the forefront of their production. 

My biggest achievement so far

My biggest jewellery achievement so far is completing both the Fine and Advanced Jewellery Diplomas. They both required time, energy and an ongoing commitment, and I’m proud of the pieces I’ve created, the skills I’ve learnt and the progress I’ve made. The icing on the cake was taking part in the second season of the Jewellers’ Retreat.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

I loved completing all of the Advanced Jewellery Diploma, but my favourite technique is micro-claw setting - there is something very satisfying about completing such a highly technical and precise piece of jewellery. Plus lots of gorgeous, shiny gemstones!

Instagram: @kateseowjewellery

Website: https://www.kateseowjewellery.co.uk/

Tori Foster

Tori Foster Jewellery

What I do

I am a jeweller based in Pocklington, selling online and in a select few shops around Yorkshire. I also teach beginners workshops and support students on the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.

My biggest achievement so far

Quitting my “proper” job and going full time with jewellery, it was a big leap of faith but I’d never have been able to do half of the things I have been able to do since!

I am inspired by

I am a big fan of anything celestial, moon, stars, dark and twinkly pieces. With the capsule collection, I challenged myself to move away from that and explore some other areas of inspiration, still from the natural world but closer to earth! I looked at textures and forms found in lichen and how and where it grows.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

Being pushed to try skills I’d have never attempted on my own. The community on the course was so vital, there was always someone there for you to celebrate things going well or support you if things had melted!

And the revelation that you don’t have to draw ideas to design! Model making was a game changer for me and I might never draw again.

Instagram: @torifosterjewellery

Website: www.torifosterjewellery.com

kirsty ferguson

Time & Tide Jewellery

What I do

I am a teacher, artist and jeweller based in the Surrey Hills. My jewellery business is titled Time & Tide Jewellery, which is an evolving collection of handmade jewellery and one of a kind commissioned pieces in recycled silver, gold, and mixed metals. Originally training in art and photography, I became interested in jewellery after taking a night class in silver smithing, since then my passion for handmade jewellery has grown and I have experimented with various styles and techniques leading to the diploma in Fine Jewellery, the the Advanced Diploma.

My biggest achievement so far

Completing the Fine and Advanced Diploma’s back to back, while doing my day job as a teacher 4 days a week. I am also very proud of the skills I’ve acquired and the two final collections, I produced for the Fine and advanced diplomas.

I am inspired by

I am inspired by a love of narratives, adventure and the outdoors. In particular I am inspired by the landscapes and stories of the rugged North Yorkshire coast where I grew up, as well as the plants and woodland of the rolling Surrey Hills where I live and work. I am environmentally conscious as an artist, which is reflected in my work through the use of recycled metals, found material, and the packaging I use does not contain plastic, is re-usable or recyclable and is, where possible, made from recycled or reused material.  

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

I loved the support I received from the mentors especially Michael Milloy who was my mentor for 2 years through the Fine and advance diploma- he was always super positive can constructive with his feedback which I found really helpful. In the FB group and zoom meetings there was a real sense of community, camaraderie and support from everyone involved participants and those facilitating. With the FB group it was I’ve to have a place to ask questions, share successes and generally vent about being at a deadline with the soldering god’s against you. It was a highly enjoyable and productive couple of years on the diplomas and would certainly recommend to anyone looking to up-skill.

Instagram: @time_and_tide_jewellery

Website: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TimeandTideJewellery

iain sainsbury

Iain Sainsbury Designs

What I do

I am an artisan jewellery designer/creator working from my studio in South Cambridgeshire. The core of my work is creating one-of-a-kind pieces and commissions. My vision is creating modern and timeless designs without costing the earth around us. All of my pieces are intended to be wearable on a daily basis but would also suit those “special” occasions. I work both in gold and silver, either ethically mined (Single Mine Origin) or recycled.

Creating jewellery is my third career. During my PhD research I was commissioned into the Army Reserve and joined communications side of the army, The Royals Signals, eventually commanding a Squadron before retiring in 2010. Concurrently and after finishing my PhD I spent over 20 years in the global pharmaceutical industry. After burnout curtailed my career in 2018, I had a real desire to do something that had significantly less impact on the environment and more focus on creating something long-lasting. 

My biggest achievement so far

Taking the step to believe in myself and my abilities to make something from nothing, ie jewellery and my business.

I am inspired by

Many classic jewellery styles of the past, from Art Deco to Anglo-Saxon, and reimagining them. Fundamental features of my work are sandcasting, contrasting and juxtaposed textures as well as use of gemstones and KeumBoo to highlight features and add colour. In my sandcasting I use a variety of beach sands from unique locations (particularly from Cornwall, where I grew up) as each one imparts a different, unique texture depending on particle size/shape and mineral content.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

The quality of the tutoring and the support throughout. The video courses are superb and the 1:1 support as well as the group session is amazing, allowing me to learn from (a lot) of errors and up skill dramatically over the year.

Website: http://iainsainsbury.com

Instagram: @iains_jewellery 

emily fletcher

Emily Lisbeth Jewellery

What I do

I specialise in unique handcrafted jewellery using recycled silver and gold and gemstones. Collections are kept small with most pieces one-of-a-kind or very limited edition, ensuring each piece is as unique as its wearer. Designed to bridge the gap between timeless fine jewellery and contemporary wearable art. The antithesis to fast fashion.

My biggest achievement so far

I have few! Completing the Fine and Advanced diploma's were a highlight for me, along with being one of the lucky winners of Jewel fund 2023! It came at a time when I had privately lost all confidence in myself and my business.

I am inspired by

I'm inspired by the desire to create unique jewellery, more than being drawn to a theme as such. My style is ever evolving and my latest collection has a molten liquid metal look to it which I'm loving at the moment. I'd like to think I offer something different to the same old 'designer' high street jewellery. I'm not into fast fashion or the latest 'look' and  think my jewellery reflects that. I make jewellery for those quietly rebellious of us, who may not appear to stand out from the crowd but like to have something that differentiates us from others. Like a hidden tattoo or piercing that no one will see, my jewellery is quietly different.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

My favourite part of the advanced diploma was by far the advanced stone setting weeks with Scott McIntyre. I'd wanted to take his classes for years but with a young family it never seemed the right time. However, they were brought to me!

Website: https://www.emilylisbethjewellery.co.uk/

Instagram @emilylisbethjewellery

Alexandra Cardinal von Widdern

von W Fine Jewellery

What I do

I am a process driven fine jeweller from Berlin living in the UK, who is most in their element when working in molten or fused gold, bringing out its lemony colour and combining it with unusually shaped salt and pepper diamonds.

My biggest achievement so far

Being selected for Desire / Craft in Focus Oxford, but the joy the handover of a commission can bring is often more memorable and long lasting.

I am inspired by

I am inspired by post Cold War Berlin Club Culture, the rawness of the industrial underground locations we danced in and by the celebration of peoples' differences and imperfections as beautiful.

Website: https://vonwjewellery.com/

Instagram: @vonwjewellery

julie halliday

Studio 52

What I do

My contemporary gallery is located right on the waterfront in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. 
I'm passionate about creating and making, I really enjoy using my design and photographic skills to produce the many different products you'll find in my studio.  

My practice spans photography, design, jewellery and soaping. - Photography gets me out into my environment, not only for the landscapes, creatures and intriguing things you can find there, but it is also a great stress release. - Design ticks my graphic and typography balance box, I love the challenge of a composition! - The tactile hands-on creative side of jewellery, the satisfaction of creating something from scratch is pretty hard to measure - and weirdly soaping is almost like cake making, except you can't eat it!

My biggest achievement so far

Being selected for Desire / Craft in Focus Oxford, but the joy the handover of a commission can bring is often more memorable and long lasting.

I am inspired by

My latest unique collection of work is a series featuring my own photographic imagery. Inspired by the detail in my environment; I want people to realise more of the detail in their surroundings, the things we might so often overlook, to become more curious about their world and think about our ocean and waterways. 

For this collection, I have used a combination of materials including using the dye-sublimation printing process onto aluminium, reticulation of silver and incorporating this with 9k gold, gemstones, pearls and locally found polished pebbles from the foreshores of the Falklands. 

Whether I’m out and about capturing photos, creating jewellery, designing graphics, or making soap, my inspiration is right on the doorstep. There is always so much to capture and share from around the Islands.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

This has been such an exciting and challenging time, and I have learnt and achieved more than I ever could have anticipated.

Website: www.studio52.co.fk

Instagram: @Juliestudio52

EMMA BROOK

Emma Brook Jewellery

What I do

I live in the Falkland Islands, so surrounded by nature.
 I love, where possible, to use local materials in my
Jewellery, such at agates found here, sea glass or wood
from the ship wrecks. When I make jewellery I want people to be able to feel something of the Falklands and enjoy using tactile elements.  We have a large tourist market here, so I also focus time creating jewellery of our fauna and flora in metal clay, wax or using sheet silver.
Being one of only a couple of Jewellers in the Islands I
run evening classes in Jewellery making, do a couples
retreat to make wedding rings and also repair jewellery
when I can. 

My biggest achievement so far

I loved making the tension set ring in the Advanced
Diploma Course.  There were many challenges from finding the right kind of stone to fit and trying not to crack any of the stones.  I think I held my breath for most of the setting, but the final result I just loved and suddenly from that moment you realized that with some thought, you can make many magical stone settings for a variety of jewellery.

I am inspired by
The sound of the wind and the waves, with the haunting
whistle of the Magellanic Oystercatcher and the bray of
penguins as the sun sets on our white sandy beaches.  I
wish I could capture that moment, for everyone to share, as you are at peace with yourself and the World.  So I am inspired by nature and love the work produced by Kim Styles, her fabrication of nature in her metal work is sophisticated simplicity.  I also love the detailed work created by Andrew Ashcroft; his rings of oak leaves, or including stags or dragonflies and his choice of metals is inspiring.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

I was lucky to do all three silver jewellery courses, each
one built on your knowledge and skills of previous
courses.  The Advanced Jewellery course though has given me the confidence to tackle any challenge, the skills to design work and the benefits that design give you, as well as the tools to make a successful jewellery business.
 However, it was watching your fellow students grow and the Facebook community that truly helped me keep going and complete the courses.

Instagram: @emmabrook91

janet hall bennett

What I do

I'm fascinated by storytelling. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents telling me bedtime stories, an eclectic mix I realise in retrospect, anything from The Odssey, The epic of Gilgamesh, Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha, Coleridge's Kubla Khan to the Tales of King Arthur and The Thousand and One Nights. I loved the patterns the sounds created and the colours that swam in my mind, I was also brought up abroad which exposed me to all the richness, sights and sounds, music, art and stories of each place we lived.

And then there was also all the artistry of the jewellery. The souks where the copper beaters hammered out exquisite designs onto plates, the goldsmiths intent on intricate filigree and granulation. Or the beat of the drum, bird of paradise feathered,  cowrie shell laden and painted tribesmen chanting and dancing. It was like lifting a page out of any tale, except it was living right in front of my eyes.

I realised that the story and its telling in so many different ways is a way of connecting, whether a child to its parents or the reinforcing of identity and belonging  to a cultural group. Each time it is told it is  reinvented and transferred into different forms that enables it to live on and keep relevant.

Later, I studied the transfer of oral storytelling in all its forms of poetry, and performance, the symbolism and art forms into the written word and art. I also found out as an adult that I have synesthesia which for me produces a rich overlap of the senses of smell, colour, sound and form. I find this a powerful tool not only to write, but also as a bespoke perfumer using absolutes and isolates.

It seems only natural that I should gather all my love of words and history, art and colour and music into the jewellery I make. I wish to base my collections on the stories, sometimes only half remembered and bring them alive in a form that resonates with the wearer.  A piece of jewellery that incorporates techniques relevant to its origin, a piece of beauty which is an expression of the wearer, both for themself, and for those around them.

My biggest achievement so far

I'm thrilled to have successfully completed all three diplomas in successive years and gaining the Jewellers Academy Diploma Award. I'm particularly proud of bringing into being a concept and story in the form of my final collection for the Advanced Diploma.

I am inspired by
art, music, storytelling - history and legend, colour, scent, nature, travel and experiences.  My collection features one off pieces in a collection centred around a story, myth, poem or art form like music.

What I loved about the Advanced Jewellery Diploma was

The sheer intensity of it! The expertise and guidance of the tutors was amazing, so inspiring!. The design process of making the final collection  was my overall favourite. It opened up a whole realm and wealth of examining an idea and concept and with the expertise of my marvellous design tutor, Katherine Richmond, I was able to identify and bring the idea into reality!

Instagram: @janet.earta

Kirsty Sharp

Tressa Amir

Mary Cait Love

beth brett

kate slater