ABOUT

My Artisan Jewellery UK Business

I am Joanne Massey, a highly educated sterling jewellery maker and designer. Before studying jewellery design, I studied art and ceramics and went on to complete a BA (HONS) degree in Fashion Design. I worked in the mass production clothing industry after graduating, adding knitwear designer to my portfolio before launching my own clothing label in 2005.

CITY & GUILDS SILVER JEWELLERY (Distinction)
BA (HON) FASHION DESIGN

As much as I loved fashion design and production, I always felt deep down I may have not chosen the right path. I went through a period of experimenting with other subjects and trying lots of different mediums in my own time, and attended a few classes at Westhope Craft College. While there, I found they had a silver sterling jewellery taster weekend. When I spotted it, I thought “why not?” and booked it. 

Attending that weekend taster course led me to discover making silver artisan jewellery was my true passion and what I should have been doing from day one. I made several pieces of statement piece and hammered jewellery during that weekend for both myself and one I gave as a gift to my mother (which she still wears now!). I loved it so much I booked onto their City & Guilds course and put every spare moment I had into it. That earned me a Distinction and I won both college awards during my two years study of the subject. 

Starting my Sterling Jewellery Business

It should have been obvious from the start that I always had a love of jewellery. My mother and other members of my family bought me jewellery for me from an early age. I treasured each and every piece, using them as a reminder of the person who gifted them. I always used to look at my jewellery and wonder how it was made. With the experience given to me by my education, that answer has certainly been made clear to me.

People would notice the jewellery I was wearing, such as my handmade silver earrings or bracelets. Once they found out who made them, they began asking if I could make some for them. Some even asked if I had an online shop or craft stall. I started making small batches of designs using 925 real silver and tested out selling on different online marketplaces. After success selling online I built my own ecommerce website.

Quality Handmade Silver Earrings, Bracelets, and Necklaces

I design and handcraft my jewellery to the highest possible standards from my studio workshop on the Welsh/Shropshire border. My work is highly decorative, bold, individual and stylish. I use 925 real silver and high quality gemstones and precious stones in my work. There is no room for substitutes when it comes to sourcing the materials for my artisan jewellery. I love buying and collecting gemstones, precious stones, and pearls to use in my designs. Only reputable suppliers and ethically sourced materials are used in my work.

My influences come from textures and shapes in nature. I find inspiration in everything from woodland walks to visits to the Welsh coast always accompanied by my dog.

I consider myself a perfectionist and will work on a piece for many hours until I am fully satisfied with the final look. This is especially true with my hammered jewellery, where the texture and pattern needs to be just right. I aspire to make all my handmade silver earrings or necklaces pieces of wearable art. 

I consider an item of jewellery to be a very personal thing, something that can hold fond memories to the person that owns it and last a lifetime and beyond if cared for correctly. Furthermore, I love to get feedback from my customers and hear the stories behind their purchase, who they have bought the item for and why. It's fantastic to hear how much a person loves their item of 925 real silver jewellery.

 

It has always been my dream to have my own business designing and making in my own little workshop with my dog for company every day. Each and every sale helps turn that dream into a reality and helps me spend as much time as possible with my four-legged best friend. One day we hope to move the workshop to the Welsh coast so we can go for Beach walks every day. 

 
I hope you enjoy looking through my website.