| KIRSTEN HENDRICH |
I started my Jewellery and Silversmithing degree course in 2005 in London, but felt my passion for jewellery slowly dying; not through a lack of willing to learn, but through the delivery of the course. Workshops we often quiet or locked, class sizes too large to get any tutor attention and irrelevant subject matter (in my opinion) was taught when I felt there was so much more relevant to learn. I made the difficult decision to leave.
Having left university, I went into the world of full time work but I was determined to work my way into the jewellery industry. I spent my remaining student loan on tools and my beloved workbench and worked hard to fund short courses to boost my knowledge. I tried to secure work placements, but the answer was always no.
In 2009 I decided to return to university. The cost of short courses in London was difficult to maintain, and although I didn’t and still feel University isn’t necessary for a career in the industry, it bothered me I hadn’t completed something.
After graduating in 2011, I launched Kirsten Hendrich Jewellery and started developing my jewellery collections, doing shows and getting my work into galleries alongside working full time for a jewellers in Guildford. I left to go full time with my business in 2012 and loved every day in my workshop.
In 2013 I qualified as a teacher at adult education level, a way to get out the workshop and meet others; working alone can be quite insular. I didn’t know how much this would develop. I have a very strong passion for helping others develop their skills. I really enjoy meeting others, sharing our knowledge with each other and design ideas, and watching my students develop from total beginners into competent jewellers. I also learn from my students and from my research putting together handouts for my classes.
In 2018 I made the decision to set up my own jewellery teaching venue called Workshop 925 to offer students somewhere to go within Surrey where they too can develop their skills and business knowledge. I wanted to offer what I felt was difficult to find locally when I was starting out; a place that was always welcoming, supportive, well equipped and encouraging for those looking to run their very won jewellery business, or for those who see jewellery making as a creative outlet or hobby.
I am now working hard to make Workshop 925 a fantastic jewellery making hub which can offer the opportunity for students to learn a wide range of techniques and specialisms.
KRISTA THOMSON
Krista has been making jewellery since her teens but it was not until attending silversmithing classes in her early forties that the metal bug really bit. A chance meeting at one of these courses sent her in the direction of the BA Degree course in Three Dimensional Design and since then she hasn’t looked back.
Krista takes inspiration for her work as a metalsmith and jeweller from the shapes, textures and colours of the plants, animals and landscape that surround her. Their biological and geological forms all fascinate her and present Krista with a wealth of ideas with which to play.
Her aim is to create her own interpretation of nature’s stunning designs out of the magnificently versatile array of metals, both precious and ferrous, that are available. She delights in manipulating the metal to gain the outcome she aspires to. She loves using media such as acrylic, resin and precious stones to enhance her designs.
Krista has been a Jewellery and Silversmithing Tutor for the last 3 years and absolutely loves passing on her knowledge and skills to those interested and inspired to learn.
AMY HUBBARD
I studied at University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, graduating in 2007, with a BA Hons in Metalwork, Jewellery and 3D Design. I stumbled upon the course while visiting university to originally sign up to a photography degree.
Alongside my degree qualification I also studied Gemmology with Gem-A in London and achieved a Grade A diploma. I also trained to string pearls with Gem-A. I have been working in the jewellery trade and teaching since 2006.
I was drawn into the jewellery industry from an early age. I started my rock and gem collection when I was a child and I have also always enjoyed making things. Design and Technology was one of my favourite subjects at school, so wandering into the 3D design studios at university made me realise that I could turn my hobbies and interests into a career. Jewellery was the natural choice.
I set up my own business A Little Handmade in 2009. I make and sell a small amount of my own designs, but most of my time is taken up with my full-time job as a goldsmith for an independent jewellers in Hampshire.
As part of my job I get to work on special commissions for our customers. It’s a lovely feeling and makes me feel very proud to hand over special commissioned pieces to customers and seeing their reactions, especially with special jewellery commissions such as engagement and wedding rings. I love being part of that process for them, knowing that they will forever (hopefully) cherish something I handmade for them. I really enjoy all aspects of handmaking and repairing all types of jewellery, but I usually get asked specifically to take on stringing jobs and memorial / mourning pieces at work, as I have a keen interest in Victorian jewellery and history in general.
The techniques I really like exploring are acid etching, and mixed media jewellery. After all this time in the industry I think it’s important to always try to learn new skills and continually develop your style of making, this is something I always strive to do.
Growing up my dad taught me the meaning of the word perseverance. And I think that is applicable to everything in life actually, persevere and if at first you don’t succeed – give it good go, people can’t knock you for trying your best, I think this is something very important to remember when learning something new.
SARAH REECE
The only thing that I ever remember wanting to do in life was to make jewellery. From the moment I laid eyes on my Grandmother’s engagement ring I was mesmerised. I uttered those fateful words, ‘When you die can I please have that?’
As my parents sucked in their breath in horror my old nan, without skipping a beat said, ‘Of course you can’. From that day onwards she nurtured and encouraged my love of jewellery showing me everything in here jewellery box every time I asked her.
As soon as I possibly could I started studying jewellery making. I went to Central Saint Martins, City and Islington, Sir John Cass and have most recently graduated from University of Creative Arts with a Master’s in Jewellery.
It’s not just jewellery making that I love, I have a special passion for gemstones. Before we had children my husband and I would pick our holiday destinations where I could purchase gems and he could scuba dive.
We lived in the Middle East for 8 years where for the first time in my life I was able to make being a jeweller my full time profession. It was during that time I taught myself how to cut stones. This started a whole new obsession for me in the jewellery making field. There is nothing better than being able to cut a stone to any shape that you want it to be. It changes the whole design process and allows you to be more creative with those designs.
The only thing that beat’s that feeling is being able to pass that knowledge on to others. I’m so happy to have found a place where I can do that at Workshop925.
ELA GOOD
I have always been surrounded by creative family members, however I went to university to study IT and went on to have multiple successful roles in the industry. I always felt unfulfilled though and knew there was something more waiting around the corner for me.
I started my jewellery-making journey while living in Bristol in 2014 when I joined an evening beginners class and immediately fell in love with the craft. After learning the basics I got myself a little bench in my living room and started practising whenever I could.
In 2016 my project management contract was coming to an end and I used that opportunity to do some travelling as I had gone straight into work from University. I spent a month road-tripping around Europe and then a month in Namibia volunteering on a wildlife sanctuary (best experience ever). I came back to Bristol with a fresh outlook and decided this was the moment to try and give jewellery making a real go!
The first thing to change was moving the making out of my flat and in to a shared space with another silversmith. I worked part-time jobs to pay my rent and spent all my spare time in the studio learning as much as I could. I started doing craft markets on weekends and set up a shop on Etsy.
In 2018 I took a big leap and moved out of Bristol and in to my Grans. She very kindly offered me a space to set up a workshop in her outbuilding and this was a perfect opportunity to launch the business properly. She’s a potter and has her own shop so I knew there was a lot I could learn from her too. I was sad to leave
Bristol but being in the countryside definitely helped to get the creative juices flowing.
A year later my Mum then joined the business after leaving her role as a beauty/massage therapist for 30 years. Learning together we have built a successful business called Ladytree Designs and now have a beautifully renovated shop/studio in Tisbury, Wiltshire.
After six years in the industry and lots of ups and downs, I have found a real passion for teaching. It fills me with joy passing on all the tips and tricks I have learnt along the way and seeing what students create with my guidance.
Recent changes in my life, however, mean I now split my time between Tisbury and Surrey. With this change in circumstances I found myself with some free time and am very excited to be filling this at Workshop.925 doing what I love!
My favourite techniques have to be wax carving and sand casting. I love using nature as my inspiration taking organic objects and turning them in to metal treasures, getting as much detail and texture transfer as I can. Sand casting was one of the most frustrating things to learn as I did it without guidance, but once you’ve mastered it it’s so satisfying (I still occasionally get failures).
STEPHEN BARNETT