<p>I was interested in making and designing from a very early age and was intrigued by the intricate cake decorations that a family friend made in sugar. I was, and still am, always building and making things with my father who is an engineer and he repaired and made jewellery, so I had a little knowledge of the techniques he used in his loft studio.</p>
<p>I studied art and design at Bath college with an amazing group of inspiring tutors and one of the pieces that I used in my application was a flower made from copper which was my first piece of soldering.</p>
<p>When applying to universities I was breath taken by the silverware at the Buckinghamshire University degree show an knew from that point I wanted to work in metal. I gained a&nbsp;BA in designed metalwork and jewellery from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College where I was taught by an exceptional group of tutors who still influence my work today.</p>
<p>This took me to become a fellow of the Bishopsland trust where I developed my range of stainless steel and silver jewellery while on the year residential programme. This was an excellent platform for me to learn all about how to start up a business and how to do craft fairs. Pope and Oliver along with the visiting tutors do an amazing job at this very unique programme.</p>
<p>I had never dreamt that I would do an MA but I applied to do&nbsp;Royal College of Art&nbsp;goldsmithing, silversmithing, metalwork and jewellery and was amazed to get a place. I had the most amazing time and was surrounded by such inspirational people. This was where my teaching spark began and what really built my confidence in making and developing designs.</p>
<p>Since my masters I have taken part in many shows including the Goldsmiths fair and Collect to name just a few and had work in galleries all over the world.</p>
<p>My home studio was founded in 2010 where I taught up to two individuals together and in 2017 I worked with Yardley arts to set up a jewellery teaching studio for 11 learners at a time. Since COVID the learners numbers have been reduced to 8 to give learners more space, their own bench tools and screens are also between each learner.</p>
<p>I love teaching all the learners that come to my workshops, multi week courses and 1:1 sessions. It is a real pleasure to help someone make a piece of jewellery so personal to them that they will wear and treasure for a lifetime. Who knows it might even get passed down to younger family member one day.</p>
<p>Awards:</p>
<p>Goldsmiths Company Future of Design Award for Silversmithing 2001.</p>
<p>Goldsmiths Company Young Designer Silversmith Award 2000.</p>
