Friday, 18 July 2014

London Jewellery School - The Best Jewellery School Ever !

I've just attended yet another course at this amazing jewellery school. I booked the  silversmithing class, as this is an area of jewellery making I want to pursue. Click here for more information on this class.

My silversmith tutor Michelle Leaver was lovely and took us through the process of creating a sterling silver pendant charm. The beautiful  pendant was created in 2 hours and I absolutely love my design. I feel fairly confident that I would like to use this technique again, so that I create personalised sterling silver jewellery pieces for my customers.

My sterling silver charm pendant created at the London Jewellery School

I have to say the London Jewellery School is one of the best schools to attend if you want to  learn to create jewellery either as a hobby or as a fully fledged jewellery designer. All the tutors  are professional jewellers. The taster courses are wonderful and give an excellent introduction to the various jewellery techniques offered by the school.

For those who want to pursue a career in jewellery design, I recommend the Diploma in Creative Jewellery
which is a comprehensive year-long course that runs 1-day a week and covers a broad range of jewellery techniques from traditional silverwork and design to beading, metal clay and fashion jewellery.

www.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk/

Thank you London Jewellery School  for your excellent courses, they are value for money and I learn't so much. I can't wait to book my next course!

Friday, 11 July 2014

Inspiring Individuals who Introduced Me To Jewellery Making

I love creating jewellery and felt at this point I should introduce you to the amazing individuals who inspired me in my jewellery making  journey. I would like to introduce you to my very first jewellery making teacher Shafina Fazaldad.


Shafina  is originally from Pakistan and opened her jewellery shop in East Ham (London) after taking a jewellery making course  at a local school. Just like me she was so inspired by her teacher, that she told her husband that she wanted to open a jewellery shop. Shafina explains “the first 6 months of opening the shop was difficult, but I never gave up”.  Shafina started off selling ready made jewellery, but then added beads to the shop. Today Safina’s bead shop is a very successful local  business, it brings the local community together as a lot of her  customers spend time sharing and talking about their jewellery designs.

Shafina Fazaldad - Jewellery Shop Owner and  Designer

I first met Shafina when I had a day off from work and I stumbled across her bead shop, I loved the sparkly beads on show. Shafina said she offered jewellery making classes, so I booked a one hour session with her and I can tell you from that very day I was hooked, my jewellery making journey had begun.  Below is my first ever jewellery design.

My first ever jewellery design set
What I love about Shafina is that she is a very kind and patient teacher, her jewellery making techniques are exquisite and all her  customer say she is very friendly, that’s why you often see customers hanging around the shop for a chat and a cup of tea graciously offered by Shafina.
Shafina says her customers and jewellery making clients are supportive, but the reason I think people keep coming back to her shop is that she is very knowledgeable about jewellery making, you can always find what you need to make beautiful jewellery and Shafina always gives helpful hints to get your jewellery project  started.

Shafina and her Jewellery Shop


I asked Shafina who was her favourite jewellery designers and she mentioned Linda Jones who is an expert in intricate wire work.

I want to thank Shafina for allowing me to interview her, I love purchasing my jewellery findings from her shop, as some of the findings are so unique, that you cannot find them anywhere else.

If you wish to purchase beads, accessories, jewellery kit or anything pertaining to jewellery making , Shafina’s details  are below, I highly recommend her.

Address:  Handmade Jewellery and Beads Unit 48-50, East Ham Shopping Hall, Myrtle Road, East Ham London E6 1HY
Contact: 07859240695