Jewellers Academy Podcast

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

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it helps more jewellers find the podcast.
Follow Jewellers Academy:
Instagram: @jewellersacademy

This week on the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller, tutor and sea glass specialist Kelly Twigg.
Kelly shares how she went from a career in the Royal Navy to building a jewellery business, growing a supportive community on Instagram, and completing the Diploma in Silver Jewellery at Jewellers Academy. She also talks about why she is joining the new Diploma in Wax Jewellery, what drew her to wax as a medium, and why investing in your skills can have such a big impact on your confidence, creativity and business.
If you have ever wondered whether a diploma is the right next step for you, this episode is full of honest insight, encouragement and practical reflections from someone who has lived the journey.
In this episode, we cover:
Kelly's path into jewellery making and sea glass jewellery

building community through Instagram

what she learned from sharing her Diploma Diaries

how the Diploma in Silver Jewellery improved both new and existing skills

why she chose wax jewellery as her next step

learning as a self-employed jeweller

the value of accountability, structure and community

why investing in training often gives a bigger return than buying more tools

 
Key moments in this episode
00:02:00: Introduction to Kelly Twigg 00:03:15: Kelly's journey from the Royal Navy into jewellery making 00:04:46: How Instagram helped build connection and community 00:06:45: Kelly's Diploma Diaries and sharing the learning journey publicly 00:10:29: Why Kelly chose to do the Diploma in Silver Jewellery 00:11:49: How the diploma improved her soldering and core bench skills 00:14:23: Why Kelly is joining the Diploma in Wax Jewellery next 00:17:45: What excites her most about wax, gemstones and design possibilities 00:22:11: The projects she is most looking forward to in the Wax Diploma 00:26:54: Kelly's advice for anyone considering a jewellery diploma 00:31:58: Why investing in skills can be more valuable than buying more tools 00:34:15: Where to follow Kelly and final thoughts
 
Learn more about our jewellery Diploma programs here https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diplomas