looking back on 2021
LOOK BEHIND YOU
It's that time of year when everyone starts to feel a bit nostalgic. While we love to focus on what is ahead, this is a great time to reflect on how far you've come.
I urge you to take 10 minutes to think back over the year and your achievements - big and small. There's always a lot of road ahead and it is important to focus on where you are headed but it is also important to celebrate the road you've travelled. Today is a great day for doing this.
Join me in my trip down memory lane looking at the firsts for Jewellers Academy and for me personally.
We launched the Diploma in Fine Jewellery
Designed as a follow on for the Diploma in Silver Jewellery or for those with intermediate to advanced level skills, the Diploma in Fine Jewellery focusses on teaching you how to create commercial, highly desirable fine jewellery.
I'm really proud of this course. I believe there's nothing like it online in the world for learning these high-level skills paired with online mentoring from a working jeweller.
We filmed the Jewellers Retreat
In December 2020 I followed a long-held dream of mine and moved out of London to live beside the sea. A year on I know that this was a great move for me and my son and I am so grateful for that.
In July 2021 we filmed the Jewellers Retreat. I invited three talented Diploma students to my new home by the sea for three days of making. Episodes 1 and 2 of the Retreat are now available to watch on YouTube. The final episode goes live on Wednesday 5th January.
I'd like to thank jewellers Jasmine Butler, Sally Costen and Marketa Garne for jumping in with both feet and for sharing their amazing skills and their journey.
If you haven't watched yet then please do, I know you'll enjoy it
LEARNING
Congratulations to the first Diploma graduates!
In September of 2021 the first year of the Diploma in Silver Jewellery online graduated and received their certificates. Woo hoo!
New courses for 2021
As well as the Diploma in Fine Jewellery, we also filmed lots of new individual jewellery making courses for you.
New courses
Creole Hinged Hoop Earrings
Beginners and Intermediate Enamelling
Rendering and Painting Fine Jewellery
Fingerprint Jewellery
How to Launch a Jewellery Collection
Free courses
I know that money can be an issue for some members of our community so in 2021 we shared some more free courses for you to ensure you can keep learning.
The free courses for this year were:
Twisted Hoop Earrings
Introduction to Claw Setting
Silver Stacking Bangles
Make a Silver Name Necklace
Make a Wax Signet Ring
(You can find all of our free jewellery making courses on the button below, scroll to the bottom of the page)
Sharing
JewelFund 2021
It was the third year of JewelFund and I awarded four grants of £1000 each to jewellers Nisha Doughlin, Kassandra Gordon, Michelle Lierre and Anna Sweet. I have also been mentoring and supporting the jewellers and I look forward to sharing more of their successes in 2022.
New tutors and staff
We welcomed talented new mentors to the Diploma program as well as employed some members of our community to help provide support for you.
The Jewellers Academy Podcast
The podcast continued to grow in 2021, sharing weekly jewellery business tips and industry interviews.
The podcast has been very popular and at the end of the year, we hit the milestone of 100,000 downloads! Thank you so much for listening.
The Importance of Work-Life Balance
I am very passionate about having a true work-life balance as I have lived the consequences if you don't. So I was happy to take part in a project with Xero to talk about my story of burnout and how I changed my life and the way I run my business.
It is my dearest wish for you to design and live the creative life you want to live and to make money from your passion. At Jewellers Academy your highest goals are always at the front of my mind. I hope that being part of the JA family has helped you do that in 2021. Here's to more in 2022. See you then, friends!
With love,
Jess x