Jewellers Academy Podcast

What does it really take to build a full-time jewellery business from scratch?
In this inspiring episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by Alice Catherine to talk about her incredible journey from complete beginner during lockdown to running a successful jewellery business and shop on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
Alice shares how she discovered jewellery making in 2021, enrolled on the Diploma in Silver Jewellery with Jewellers Academy just days later and funded her studies through selling jewellery online while she learned. Since then, she has built a thriving jewellery brand inspired by the Scottish coastline, grown an online audience of over 50,000 followers and now creates ocean-inspired jewellery in silver, gold and gemstones.
She has also achieved something many jewellers dream about: building a successful bricks and mortar jewellery shop with her jeweller's bench in the back, creating and selling her work from the same space, and growing the business to the point where she now employs staff and freelance support.
In this episode, Alice talks honestly about learning jewellery making online, building a sustainable handmade business, growing through social media and balancing creativity, business and motherhood. She also shares what it was really like starting out from a tiny attic workspace with no running water and why you do not need the perfect setup to begin.
 
Key moments in the episode:
00:00: Introduction
02:00: Introduction to Alice Catherine and her jewellery journey
03:16: Starting jewellery making during lockdown in 2021
04:10: Discovering Jewellers Academy and signing up for the Diploma
07:18: Funding the Diploma through jewellery sales
08:05: Balancing the Diploma alongside full-time work
08:45: Why online jewellery learning worked so well for Alice
11:43: The jewellery making skills Alice still uses every day
13:12: Revisiting Diploma tutorials years later
17:09: Moving to the Isle of Lewis and making jewellery in an attic workshop
19:07: Why you do not need the perfect workshop to start
20:07: Opening her jewellery shop in Stornoway
22:22: Learning about stock, casting and running a jewellery business
24:48: Creating a sustainable handmade jewellery brand
26:35: Growing an audience through Instagram and TikTok
27:45: Going viral on Instagram and growing to 50,000 followers
30:00: Why repeat customers matter more than follower numbers
31:18: Creating jewellery inspired by the ocean and Scottish islands
33:38: Building a team and balancing motherhood with business
35:14: Alice's advice for new jewellery makers considering the Diploma
37:08: Where to find and follow Alice Catherine Jewellery
 
Interested in following in Alice's footsteps and learning jewellery making?
Find out more about the Diploma in Silver Jewellery — Jewellers Academy and start your own jewellery journey with Jewellers Academy.
 
Find Alice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicecatherinejewellery
Website:     Alice Catherine Jewellery

What happens when you realise the career you've built no longer feels creatively fulfilling?
In this week's episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by Michaela to talk about starting a jewellery business later in life, discovering jewellery making after years in office work, and how studying the Diploma in Silver Jewellery completely changed the direction of her life.
Michaela shares her journey from evening classes and wax carving workshops to jewellery markets, Etsy and building her own jewellery brand. Together they discuss learning jewellery making as an adult, changing careers creatively, studying jewellery making in Brighton, building confidence at the bench and the realities of starting a jewellery business from scratch.
In this episode, we cover:
Starting jewellery making later in life

Changing careers into a creative business

What it's like to study the Diploma in Silver Jewellery in person

Learning stone setting and jewellery techniques

Why in-person jewellery training can make such a difference

Building confidence as a jeweller

Jewellery markets, Etsy and Instagram

Creating organic and meaningful jewellery pieces

Finding fulfilment through creativity and making

Michaela also shares honest advice for anyone starting out on their jewellery journey:
"Just stick with it."
Whether you're dreaming of becoming a jeweller, thinking about taking a jewellery course, or wondering if it's too late to start something creative, this episode is a wonderful reminder that there is no single path into jewellery making.
02:00 : Introduction to Michaela and her jewellery journey
05:25 : How a trip to Bali sparked an interest in jewellery making
07:30 : Evening classes, wax carving and wanting to learn more
09:25 : Why in-person jewellery training mattered
11:30 : Discovering her creative style and organic jewellery design
12:40 : Creativity, fulfilment and making meaningful jewellery for others
17:50 : Working in travel, office jobs and feeling creatively unfulfilled
20:10 : Redundancy, career change and finding the Diploma in Silver Jewellery
22:45 : Why Michaela chose the 7-week intensive diploma in Brighton
25:55 : Learning stone setting and developing technical skills
29:10 : Creating the final diploma project
32:20 : Starting a jewellery business after the diploma
34:10 : Etsy, markets, Instagram and building a jewellery brand
36:40 : Advice for anyone starting jewellery making later in life
38:20 : Why Michaela recommends studying at Jewellers Academy Brighton
39:35 : Where to follow Michaela and final thoughts
 
If you'd love to learn jewellery making in-person like Michaela, you can join us in Brighton at Jewellers Academy Brighton.
We offer two ways to study for your Diploma in Brighton:
one day a week over the course of a year, or

a 7-week full-time intensive course, like Michaela completed.

The intensive option is especially popular with students travelling from further afield, and we've welcomed jewellers from all over the world to study with us in Brighton.
And if travelling to Brighton isn't possible, or you need more flexibility around work and family life, our online Diploma courses offer a highly supportive alternative. With mentored support, accountability and flexible learning, our online students achieve consistently high success rates while studying from home.
You can explore our online Diploma courses here:
Jewellers Academy Online Diplomas
 
Follow Michaela and her jewellery journey on Instagram: @nymferojewellery

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller and tutor Lorna Romanengi to explore the ancient Japanese wax jewellery technique of Mitsuro Hikime.
Lorna shares what Mitsuro Hikime is, how the honey wax is made, why the technique creates such beautiful organic textures, and why so many jewellers are falling in love with this expressive way of working.
They also discuss Lorna's journey with the technique, how Mitsuro Hikime can be used to create rings, pendants and sculptural jewellery forms, and what happens once your wax pieces are cast into metal.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What Mitsuro Hikime means

How this ancient Japanese wax technique creates natural striations

Why the process asks jewellers to slow down and work more intuitively

How Mitsuro can be combined with traditional wax carving

Why casting is only one part of the process

How finishing, polishing, keum boo and patinas can enhance your final pieces

The new Mitsuro Hikime course with Lorna is available now at Jewellers Academy and is also included in the Diploma in Wax Jewellery.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Mitsuro Hikime online course: https://www.jewellersacademy.com/mitsuro
Diploma in Wax Jewellery: https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-wax-jewellery
Lorna Romanengi Jewellery on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornaromanenghijewellery

Have you ever felt guilty about investing in yourself?
Whether it's signing up for a jewellery course, joining a diploma, or simply taking time to learn something new, it's so common for doubt and guilt to creep in.
In this episode, Jess is joined by Anna Campbell to explore why investing in yourself is so important and why it's something you don't need to feel guilty about.
Together, they share their own experiences of investing in training, creativity and personal development, and talk through the mindset shifts that can help you move forward with more confidence.
You'll hear about how investing in your skills can open up new opportunities, help you find your path as a jeweller, and connect you with a supportive community who truly understand your journey.
They also dive into the real reasons people hold back - from imposter syndrome and lack of time to waiting until you feel "ready" - and why those moments are often the exact time to take action.
If you've been thinking about learning jewellery making, developing your skills, or taking your next step but something has been holding you back, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
Why investing in yourself expands your options (even when you don't know the end goal yet)

How training can help you discover your unique path as a jeweller

The power of learning from experts instead of figuring it all out alone

Why community is one of the most valuable parts of any course or programme

How investing in yourself supports your wellbeing and creativity

The difference between self-confidence and self-trust

How training can help you overcome imposter syndrome

Why you don't need to wait until you feel "ready"

 
Thinking about taking the next step?
If one of our Diploma programmes has been on your mind, this could be your moment to go for it.
We offer five online Diploma courses designed to support jewellers at different stages, from beginners through to advanced makers:
Diploma in Silver Jewellery

Diploma in Fine Jewellery

Advanced Jewellery Diploma

Diploma in Silver Metal Clay

Diploma in Wax Jewellery

✨ Explore the diplomas and find the one that's right for you:
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diplomas
Connect with us:
Instagram: @jewellersacademy
Instagram: @annaccampbell
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow jeweller 💛

Starting a jewellery business is exciting but it can also feel overwhelming when you don't know what to focus on first.
In this solo episode, Jessica Rose shares 7 things she wishes she had known before starting her first jewellery business over 20 years ago - along with what she would do differently if she were starting today.
If you're building or growing a jewellery business, this episode will give you clarity, reassurance and practical direction on what really matters.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why building a jewellery business takes longer than you think (and why that's OK)

How to manage overwhelm when you're doing everything yourself

What it really means to price your jewellery for profit

Why marketing - not just your designs - is key to making sales

How trust and connection influence buying decisions

Why photography and video are essential for growing your brand

A simple approach to staying consistent without burning out

Key moments from this episode
02:02 Welcome and introduction to the episode 04:05 1. Building a jewellery business takes time 08:30 Fine jewellery businesses often take even longer to grow 11:00 2. You do not have to do it all alone 15:00 3. Managing overwhelm as a jeweller and business owner 17:16 The 'one thing a day' approach 21:26 4. How to price your jewellery for profit 25:47 5. Why marketing is the key to selling jewellery 30:18 6. Jewellery is a trust and connection based business 34:25 7. Why photography and video matter so much 38:32 Final reflections on growing a jewellery business 39:02 The Jewellery Business Starter Kit 43:00 Free Starter Kit bonus with Diploma enrolment before 1st May 44:59 Final thoughts and outro
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Jewellery Business Starter Kit

Jewellers Academy Diploma Programmes

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Follow Jewellers Academy:
Instagram: @jewellersacademy