Yes, we know it’s raining. But we were thinking about holidays…and we’re always thinking about making jewellery…so why not combine the two? This week I caught up with Julia to find out more about the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery.

Founded in 2001, the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery is the longest established independent jewellery school in Europe. With classes for all abilities, the school caters for total beginners as well as more experienced students. The school organises beginner to advanced level technique classes based on demand from working jewellers and the general public. It has become an internationally recognised centre of excellence for jewellery training and students come from all over the world to study there.

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Do you want to take your jewellery teaching to the next level? Or maybe you have a whole host of jewellery making skills that you’d love to share with others but need some support to get started? The London Jewellery School’s new programme could be for you. Individual jewellers, business owners or collectives can set up and run their own jewellery making classes using the successful LJS model and with the ongoing support from LJS in setting up, promoting and delivering professional classes.

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So Wimbledon is over, and Novak Djokovic won his first ever Wimbledon title, beating Rafael Nadal. But for some of us it wasn’t the Wimbledon tennis that really mattered. At the same time, the all important Beads Direct Wimbledon was running! Our facebook wall was flooded with some fab designs using the Wimbledon purple and green shades, or playing on other Wimbledon tennis themes – including the ever-present rain! But there could only be one winner….ok, except in the case of a tie! Read More

I have worked with Swarovski Elements since their introduction at Beads Direct 6 years ago. I remember when our little range of Czech bicones in 18 colours and 3 sizes was replaced by the wonderous Swarovski Elements in so many shapes, sizes and colours I hadn’t even imagined existed! I’ve been to visit Swarovski’s London offices many times to see new innovations and loved every minute. But this was the big one. An email invitation to join Swarovski in Wattens for 2 days of information and jewellery workshops. How excited was I?!! Read More

I’d like to show you how I made my Purple Elegance bracelet for our recent Glitz & Glamour advert in Make Jewellery magazine.

Purple elegance right angle weave bracelet

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I’d like to show you how I made my Purple Elegance bracelet for our recent Glitz & Glamour advert in Make Jewellery magazine.

Purple elegance right angle weave bracelet

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Under pricing is a problem that I know many of you struggle with. Remember that you should be proud of your beautifully designed, handcrafted pieces and charge a fair price. Under pricing can sometimes get you less sales as people may perceive your work as ‘cheap’.

Therefore many jewellery makers have to get over their psychological obstacle of undervaluing a piece of jewellery that they have made because they have made it!

Pricing strategies

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What’s inside…

I had known about the challenge for some time and I could hardly wait to receive my pack. When the envelope arrived on Saturday afternoon, I wanted to open it straight away, but I waited until a quiet time in the evening, so that I could take it all in. I don’t know quite what I was expecting, but my first thoughts were that I was surprised by how much there was in the envelope! I was relieved to see some of my beloved seed beads in there but not quite sure what I was going to do with the lovely labradorite and pearls, or all the silver items – especially a whole bag of extension chains! Read More