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

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

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/