Jewellers Academy Podcast

What does it really mean to train as a goldsmith today? For generations, the traditional route into the jewellery industry was through an apprenticeship, spending years alongside an experienced goldsmith, learning techniques, repairs and bench skills through observation and practice. But apprenticeships aren't always accessible, and many jewellers today are looking for a more flexible way to devel...

If you're relying solely on selling your jewellery, you're not alone. But it doesn't have to be the only way to build a successful jewellery business. In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Anna Campbell is joined by jeweller, tutor and author Kelly Twigg to explore the many ways jewellers can diversify their income while staying true to the craft they love. From selling jewellery throu...

What happens when you spend over 60 years at the bench? In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess talks with Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton about traditional apprenticeship, jewellery repair, craftsmanship and the skills he believes every jeweller should experience before they disappear. Michael began his jewellery career in 1964 and has spent more than six decades making, restoring...

What happens to all those tiny pieces of silver left behind when you're making jewellery? In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller and Jewellers Academy tutor Mahroz Hekmati to talk about one of the most valuable workshop skills a jeweller can develop: learning to recycle silver scrap. With rising metal prices and increasing awareness around sustainabili...

As a bonus episode, we're sharing the replay of our Diploma in Wax Jewellery Open Day and inviting you to listen in. If you've been curious about wax jewellery making, wondered how the Diploma works or wanted to hear the kinds of questions prospective students ask before joining, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look. During the session, Jewellers Academy founder Jessica Rose takes you t...

This week on the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller Kelly Twigg for a conversation about what really happens when you commit to a year of jewellery training. Kelly completed the Diploma in Silver Jewellery and is returning for another Diploma this year, and in this episode she shares the difference structured learning has made to her jewellery skills, confidence, creativ...

One of my favourite things about our Diploma Open Days is seeing who joins us. This time we had jewellers at all different stages of their journey. Some people had never soldered before. Others had been making jewellery for 15 years. Some already had businesses and felt ready to take their work to the next level. And as always, the questions were brilliant. This isn't one of our usual podcast epis...

What separates the jewellers who keep progressing from those who feel stuck? It isn't talent. In this episode, Jessica Rose is joined by Anna Campbell to explore the real reasons many jewellery makers struggle to move forward and the practical steps that can help you build momentum, confidence and skills. Together they discuss the challenges that can slow your progress, including lack of momentum,...

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,...

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. Mich...

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 als...

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...

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...

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 Jewell...

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 share...

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...

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 cli...

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 singl...

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by award-winning fine jeweller and Jewellers Academy mentor Anelia Kuprina to introduce some exciting new projects coming to the Diploma in Fine Jewellery. They explore the skills behind two key updates to the course: a change to the tennis bracelet project and an updated totem pendant design. These projects help students develop con...

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by fine jeweller and tutor Jane Taylor to explore the advantages of working in wax as a fine jeweller. Jane has been running her jewellery business for nearly 25 years and shares how wax carving has played an important role throughout her career. They discuss how wax allows jewellers to create sculptural, three-dimensional designs th...

This week marks a very special milestone as we celebrate one year of Jewellers Academy Brighton. In this episode, Jessica is joined by School Manager Lisa Hagen and tutors Ellinor Sixtensdotter and Mahroz Hekmati to reflect on what it's been like to build a jewellery school from the ground up and welcome a thriving in-person community. Over the past year, more than 2,000 students from across the U...

In the 300th episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Anna Campbell is joined by jewellery artist and Diploma mentor Vicki Ralph for a relaxed, inspiring conversation about their shared love of silver metal clay. They talk about how they each discovered metal clay, why it felt different from traditional silversmithing, and what makes this medium so empowering for beginners and experienced makers...

This week on the Jewellers Academy podcast, host Anna Campbell is joined by website designer and e-commerce specialist Helen Rawlinson (HR Digital Design) to talk about when and why jewellers should move from platforms like Etsy to their own website. They explore how third-party marketplaces have changed over the years - becoming more crowded, more price-driven, and harder for genuine handmade bus...

In this episode, Jessica and Anna talk about how to start and grow a jewellery business using silver metal clay. They share practical tips on keeping startup costs low, developing a signature style, pricing your work confidently, and choosing a business model that suits you. You'll also hear ideas for scaling your designs through moulds and casting, adding teaching as an income stream, and using s...

In this week's episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, host Anna Campbell is joined by trauma therapist and teacher Anne Cheshire to explore why so many people turn to making when life feels overwhelming. They look at trauma as a nervous-system experience (not just around major life events), why we can't always think our way out of anxiety or paralysis, and how jewellery-making and other creativ...