Hi, have you ever had a lightbulb moment? Suddenly you realise something with such conviction that you know it is the right thing to do? I had one of those moments in the first few weeks of lockdown.
I asked myself why I couldn't spend more time at home with my family on a day to day basis, even when it was safe to return to 'normal' life. I realised that there was no reason why I couldn't do just that, if I ran my jewellery business from home, instead of renting a studio a 20 minute drive away.
It is always scary to make a big change but once you have made the decision and there is no going back, it is liberating and exciting.
So, here I am, writing the first blog on my new website and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the summerhouse, which is going to be my new workshop, in my beloved garden.
Some of you will know me from Silver Tree Studio at the Fold in Bransford, Worcestershire. This is a business that I started with my friend Sharon, a fellow silversmith. We were there for five years and as well as selling our own designs, we sold work on behalf of other talented local craftspeople. It was a real adventure and we learned a lot!
Over those years, we met some wonderful people and enjoyed the beautiful location of the Fold, a not for profit business, based on a Farm, which promotes sustainable living and healthy lifestyles.
Now it's just going to be me, selling my designs on my website. Brave or mad?! Not sure yet ..... but our cats are loving me being at home (as much as cats will ever admit that they want you around!)
I am passionate about the environment and will only be using recycled silver in my designs. This is something I had started to do in the last year or so, using Eco Silver, which is produced in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. This is made using sterling silver from old jewellery, electrical parts and medical instruments, which are melted down and re-formed into sheet silver or wire. I have also made jewellery from sterling silver spoons and re-designed pieces of jewellery inherited by customers, to make them into something they can wear.
I hope you will follow my progress through this blog and that you will enjoy looking at my website for inspiration, when you next need a gift for someone (or fancy a treat yourself!)
If you have had a lightbulb moment yourself and decided to make a change, I would love to hear about it.
I promise there will be cat pictures .........
Claire x