Jewellers Academy Podcast

If you've been thinking about trying silver jewellery making, this podcast episode is a great place to begin. In this conversation, Jessica is joined by Jewellers Academy tutor Laura-Jayne to talk about how beginners can get started, the foundational skills that matter most, and how the new beginner and intermediate silver jewellery courses help students build confidence at home.
Laura-Jayne shares why learning jewellery making step by step is so important, especially when you're new to tools, soldering and saw piercing. She also explains how online learning can make things easier for beginners, with clear close-up demonstrations, the ability to pause and rewind, and lifetime access so you can revisit techniques whenever you need to.
The episode also gives a closer look at the two new courses. The Beginners Silver Jewellery Workshop includes a pierced pendant project and a textured silver ring, helping students learn core skills such as sawing, drilling, filing, soldering and shaping metal. The Intermediate Silver Jewellery then builds on those foundations with a spinner ring and lentil bead necklace, introducing doming, hollow forms and more advanced construction techniques.
One of the most encouraging parts of the episode is Laura-Jayne's reminder that there is no one perfect way to make jewellery. There are many ways to achieve a result, and the most important thing is to work safely, keep practising and enjoy the process. If you're curious about making your own jewellery, this episode is a lovely introduction.
 
Key Moments
02:01 Introduction to the episode and the new silver jewellery courses 04:36 Laura-Jayne introduces herself and shares her jewellery background 07:12 Why clear teaching, tool guidance and safety matter for beginners 10:08 How beginners grow in confidence and start making wearable pieces quickly 12:44 Why online jewellery learning can work so well from home 15:17 Inside the Beginners Silver Jewellery Workshop 16:00 What students learn from the pierced pendant project 21:37 What students learn from making their first silver ring 24:43 Why foundational skills like soldering and filing matter so much 27:45 Inside the Intermediate Silver Jewellery 28:23 How a spinner ring works and what students will learn 33:14 The lentil bead necklace project and learning to create domed forms 36:31 Laura-Jayne's advice for anyone starting jewellery making at home 38:09 Final thoughts and where to find the courses
 
Learn more:
Beginners Silver Jewellery Workshop https://www.jewellersacademy.com/beginners-silver-jewellery-workshop
Intermediate Silver Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/intermediate-silver-jewellery
Enrol on both courses and save - Course Bundle

If you are feeling stuck or ready for more in your jewellery journey, upskilling could be the key to moving forward in 2026.
Jess is joined by jeweller Emma René, founder of Narratorium, who shares her journey from building a jewellery business with minimal formal training to investing in her skills through the Diploma in Fine Jewellery. They discuss the realities of reaching a plateau, the limits of learning through trial and error, and how structured learning, mentoring and feedback can transform both your confidence and your work.
Emma also shares how upskilling is shaping the future direction of her business, as she moves towards creating more refined, high-end pieces and working with new techniques such as stone setting.
If you are ready to improve your skills, pivot your business or take your jewellery to the next level, this episode will give you insight and inspiration.
 
Key Moments
00:02:00 – Introduction to the episode and upskilling as a jeweller
00:03:57 – Emma's journey and starting her jewellery business
00:06:11 – Early challenges and working with manufacturers
00:08:35 – Balancing business, family and growth
00:08:58 – Reaching a plateau and deciding to upskill
00:11:14 – The value of structured learning
00:11:58 – Expanding into gemstones and stone setting
00:14:17 – First experiences of the Fine Diploma
00:16:08 – Mentoring, community and support
00:16:22 – The impact of expert feedback
00:18:23 – Growth in confidence and skills
00:20:41 – Shifting towards fine jewellery
00:23:28 – Navigating business changes and industry shifts
00:25:19 – Building confidence with higher-value materials
00:27:42 – Favourite projects on the Diploma
00:29:45 – Sharing the journey through Diploma Diaries
00:32:04 – Advice for jewellers considering upskilling
 
Learn more about the Diploma in Fine Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery
 
About Emma
Emma René is the founder of Narratorium, a jewellery brand she launched after leaving her career as an art director in advertising to pursue her own creative path. Over the past ten years, she has built her business while developing her skills in silversmithing alongside raising a family. She is currently expanding into fine jewellery as a student on the Diploma in Fine Jewellery, focusing on advanced techniques such as stone setting and higher-end design.
 
https://www.narratorium.co.uk/
Follow her @narratorium

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by Goldsmith and Jewellers Academy tutor April Dace to explore how to run a successful fine jewellery business in a time of rising gold and precious metal prices.
April shares honest insights from her own business, including how she has adapted her pricing, systems and mindset to stay profitable without compromising on quality or client experience. They discuss the importance of confidence in pricing, why not every client needs to be the right fit, and how a bespoke, relationship-led approach can create a sustainable and thriving business.
You'll also hear how April has built her reputation through word of mouth and trust, why transparency with clients matters more than ever, and practical advice for jewellers looking to move into fine jewellery or navigate changing material costs.
 
Key Moments From This Episode
00:03:39 Introduction to April and the impact of rising metal prices 00:05:22 How gold price changes affect a fine jewellery business 00:06:24 Practical pricing updates and system adjustments 00:07:43 Using price ranges and managing client expectations 00:10:38 Pricing confidence and handling customer objections 00:13:01 Why not competing on price leads to better clients 00:17:19 Building a sustainable business with commissions and repairs 00:20:08 Creating a personal, trust-led client experience 00:24:52 Marketing that works: word of mouth and Google 00:32:27 Advice for moving into fine jewellery and building confidence
 
If you'd like to train to be a fine jeweller, check out our 1 year online Diploma in Fine Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery

In this week's episode, host Anna Campbell is joined by Vicky Barclay of Silver Snail Jewellery to talk about her journey from a high-pressure university career into jewellery making and business ownership through silver clay.
Vicky shares how discovering silver clay during a difficult period in her life gave her a creative outlet, a new direction and eventually a business. What started as a single workshop quickly grew into a passion, and then into a jewellery business built through craft fairs, community and continuous learning.
They discuss why silver clay is such an accessible and exciting medium, the realities of building a jewellery business, and the importance of investing in your skills and confidence. Vicky also shares her experience of the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay and how it helped her deepen her knowledge and build confidence in her work.
The conversation also explores the importance of visibility in business, and Vicky reflects on her experience of attending the Jewellers Visibility Retreat at Jewellers Academy Brighton, where she developed skills in photography, social media and marketing, and gained clarity on how to grow her business.
Key Moments
02:56: Vicky's life before jewellery and the stressful university career that led her to seek a creative outlet
04:37: Discovering silver clay for the first time and the moment it clicked for her
07:04: What silver clay is and why it's such an accessible medium
10:44: Realising silver clay was "her thing" and beginning her jewellery journey
13:35: How Silver Snail Jewellery started and building confidence through craft fairs
17:15: Deciding to leave her university job and focus on her jewellery business
25:24: Why Vicky enrolled on the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay
28:19: What she learned from the Diploma and the value of community
30:13: Vicky's experience of the Jewellers Visibility Retreat
37:19: The biggest lesson from the retreat: why you don't have to do everything yourself
 
Jewellers Visibility Retreat at Jewellers Academy Brighton https://www.jewellersacademybrighton.com/jewellers-visibility-retreat
Diploma in Silver Metal Clay https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-silver-metal-clay
Silver Snail Jewellery https://silversnailjewellery.co.uk/

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by award-winning fine jeweller and Jewellers Academy mentor Anelia Kuprina to introduce some exciting new projects coming to the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
They explore the skills behind two key updates to the course: a change to the tennis bracelet project and an updated totem pendant design. These projects help students develop confidence working with precious metals while building essential stone setting and fine jewellery techniques.
Jess and Anelia discuss what students will learn through these projects, from constructing double gallery claw settings and connecting bracelet links to working with shaped stones such as pear, princess and trillion cuts. They also share advice for jewellers tackling more advanced projects, including how to approach complex pieces, why patience and precision matter, and the importance of investing in good tools.
If you're interested in developing your fine jewellery making and stone setting skills, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what students learn inside the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
Learn more about the Diploma in Fine Jewellery: https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery
 
Key Moments
02:05 Introduction to the episode 04:45 The new tennis bracelet project 06:20 Why making a tennis bracelet is such a milestone 09:55 Tips for approaching complex jewellery projects 11:50 The updated totem pendant project 14:00 Learning to work with shaped stone settings 15:20 Advice for students joining the Fine Jewellery Diploma 17:00 The importance of good jewellery tools 19:00 Seeing students develop their own style 20:00 Learn more about the Diploma in Fine Jewellery