Today we’re talking to a very talented lady with a passion for creating. Her jewellery is masterfully crafted with beautiful clean cuts and attention to detail. Alison certainly has an interesting story to share so I won’t make you wait any longer! Have a read below to find out how she started her small business and what is behind the scenes of owning a jewellery brand!
Please could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you decided to start your own business?
I set my business after studying for four years at the John Cass School of Art (although known as the Guildhall University) in East London. It was the most amazing place and I was studying two evenings a week. It was like doing an apprenticeship as it was all practical based and they had the most amazing tutors and equipment. I never wanted to leave to be honest! I was working in a London Law firm in HR at the time and I was so miserable and these classes were my release from a very stressful job.
I always knew that I would have a business of my own. My mum was a huge influence as she was a dressmaker and spent her whole life making things. She taught me to sew, crochet, knit - pretty much everything. My mum was always making things, she never ever sat watching TV unless she was making something at the same time. I always wanted to have some sort of creative business.
So, I set up my business after being made redundant from this job in the City over 20 years ago. I spent most of this time selling my designs in the London markets of Spitalfields and Portobello Road at the weekends (6am starts and in all weathers).
What would you say is the most challenging part of making jewellery?
The most challenging thing about making jewellery is patience. It takes time and if you rush anything, it can all go horribly wrong. So you just have to accept that the time is the time it takes and enjoy the process. Also, I have so many design ideas in my head, that I could just spend my time playing and experimenting and not finishing anything.
What is your main source of inspiration?
My main inspiration is geometrics, lines, circles, squares, oblongs, and how I can bring them together to form unique pieces of jewellery. I also love asymmetry so sometimes I will bring this in to my designs as well.
What materials do you use in your designs?
I mainly use silver or gold (wherever possible I will use recycled silver and gold as it is getting much easier to source it now). I do use semi-precious stones, although I am reviewing this as I feel that I cannot be certain of their origin or whether they are ethically sourced. I haven’t bought any stones for over a year as it is something that I am not sure I want as part of my business. But I want to use the ones that I already have. I do have a lot!
Is there a piece of jewellery that you cannot live without?
The piece of jewellery that I can’t live without is a big pair of statement earrings! The bigger the better!
What’s the best thing about being a small business owner?
The best thing about being a small business owner… It is the freedom to decide how and what I work on. I love the variety of jobs I need to do and no two days are the same. I love being part of a creative community of small makers and arti
st and we all support each other. Most importantly I just love creating. It’s what I love.
