I didn’t begin making jewellery with a carefully written business plan or any expectation that it would eventually become my full-time work.
I started because life was busy, home was hectic and my job was stressful. I was still teaching and running a busy unit for children with autism. I needed something that belonged entirely to me—somewhere I could stop thinking about everything and everyone else for a couple of hours.
One evening a week, I went to a silversmithing class. I had no idea at the time how important that evening would become.
ONE EVENING A WEEK THAT WAS COMPLETELY MINE
At the jewellery bench, I had to concentrate on what was directly in front of me.
Sawing along a line, filing an edge, measuring carefully and controlling the heat when soldering left little room for thinking about work, chores or everything waiting for me at home.
It wasn’t about magically emptying my mind. It was about giving my mind one clear, practical job to do.
For those few hours, the noise reduced. I could focus on turning a flat piece of metal into something with shape, texture and purpose.
Sometimes I also got to hit metal repeatedly with a hammer, which was enormously satisfying and considerably better than taking my frustration out on my friends and family.
FINDING CALM AND CONTROL THROUGH MAKING
One of the things I loved about silversmithing was the sense of control it gave me.
Metal responds to what you do. If you apply pressure, it moves. If you heat it correctly, solder flows. If something goes wrong, you stop, work out why and decide whether it can be repaired or adapted.
Not everything worked first time. In fact, it still doesn’t. Jewellery making involves mistakes, problem-solving and occasionally wondering why a piece of metal appears to have developed a personal grudge against you.
However, those problems usually have practical solutions. You can anneal the metal, file something back, change the design or begin again with what you have learned.
That process helped me feel capable at a time when other parts of life felt much harder to control.
CREATIVITY ISN’T ABOUT BEING “ARTISTIC”
People often tell me that they would love to make jewellery but they aren’t creative.
I understand why they feel that way. Many of us have absorbed the idea that creativity belongs to people who can draw beautifully or arrive with a perfectly formed design already in their heads.
That isn’t how creativity usually works.
It may begin with choosing a texture, moving shapes around on a table or wondering what would happen if you curved the metal in a different direction. Ideas develop as you handle the materials and learn what they can do.
Creativity can be quiet and practical. It can look like solving a construction problem, altering a design when something goes wrong or making a piece fit the person who will wear it.
You do not have to identify as an artist. You need enough curiosity to begin and permission to make something imperfect while you learn.
WHEN A CREATIVE OUTLET BECAME A BUSINESS
The more I learned, the more important jewellery making became to me.
It gave me something to look forward to and a growing sense of purpose. I could see my skills developing and begin to make pieces that felt genuinely mine.
Eventually, what started as one evening away from the mayhem grew into Cornovii Silver.
Building a jewellery business brought plenty of new stresses with it. Self-employment is not an endless sequence of peaceful afternoons spent making beautiful things. There is admin, pricing, marketing, difficult soldering jobs and the occasional commission that refuses to cooperate.
Even so, the bench remained a place where I could concentrate, solve problems and create something tangible. Making jewellery gave me a direction when I needed one and became a significant part of rebuilding my working life.
WHY I BEGAN TEACHING SILVERSMITHING
Teaching jewellery making brought together two important parts of my life: my experience as a teacher and my love of silversmithing.
I know what it feels like to arrive at a class carrying the stress of the day. I also know how difficult it can be to try something unfamiliar when you are worried about getting it wrong or comparing yourself with everyone else.
That is why my classes are small, supportive and properly taught. I want people to understand the techniques they are using rather than simply following instructions without knowing why.
Students learn to saw, file, form, solder and finish their jewellery. They also learn that mistakes are a normal part of making and that most problems can be worked through.
There is something wonderful about watching someone arrive saying, “I’m not creative,” then leave wearing a piece they designed and made themselves.
CREATING SPACE FOR DIFFERENT KINDS OF MINDS
After many years of teaching, including working with children and young people with additional needs, I understand that people do not all learn in the same way.
Some students need to see a demonstration more than once. Some need written instructions, extra processing time or the freedom to work quietly. Others learn by immediately getting their hands on the tools and giving it a go.
My classes are deliberately small so I can adapt the teaching and support each person without taking over their work.
You do not need previous experience, perfect coordination or instant confidence. You are allowed to ask questions, take your time and learn in the way that works for you.
CREATIVITY ISN’T A CURE—BUT IT CAN STILL MATTER
I am careful about saying that jewellery making “saved” my mental health.
That is honestly how it felt to me, but creativity is not medical treatment and a silversmithing course cannot replace appropriate professional support.
What making gave me was regular time away from my responsibilities, a practical focus, new skills and a sense of progress. It gave me something absorbing to do when my thoughts felt too loud and helped me reconnect with a part of myself that had been buried beneath work and family life.
Everyone’s experience will be different. You may not discover a new career or fall completely in love with silver. You might simply enjoy two hours during which nobody needs anything from you.
That can still be valuable.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY JEWELLERY MAKING?
You do not need to be creative, confident or naturally good with your hands before you start.
My jewellery-making courses in Charlestown, Cornwall are taught in small groups with plenty of individual guidance. You will learn proper silversmithing skills and create jewellery you can be genuinely proud of.
There are options for complete beginners, developing makers and anyone who wants some guided time back at the bench.
If life has been particularly noisy lately, perhaps it is time to make a little space for yourself.
