For the past three weeks we have been focusing on creating either a Business Plan or a career Plan and I have been given a real insight into the industry which I haven't really had a thought about before. I plan to have a part-time job to begin with, or maybe a full time job depending on finance, and start to set up and grow my own business as a designer maker.
Originally I wanted to be a maker for a company but after doing some industry research I found that no one was really making jewellery in the style that I like and my aim is to be enjoying my job; and making my own work will be hard work but hopefully rewarding at the end of the day. After contacting James Newman, a successful business here in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter I have been offered a day’s work experience in March which I am very excited about! I really respect James Newman and the work that his workshop produces as it is high quality and a bit different to your more traditional fine jewellery. Last week we also had a talk from Jo Stroud (business owner of 'Fabulous' in Leamington Spa and Solihull) and Sinade Prosser (Retail supervisor and the creative + buying manager in the Solihull 'Fabulous' store) who talked about all of the areas you could go into in the jewellery industry; so not just a designer, maker, or sales assistant. You could go on to be a window/ display designer, buyer for a larger retail department store or a sales manager for example. This got me thinking more about the different routes i could go down so I asked Sinade for some possible work experience and I have 3 days coming up in March working in the Solihull store learning about various parts of the business and how it runs successfully. Talking to Jo and Sinade made me feel much calmer about my future and understanding that nothing is set in stone in terms of your future. This week we had two talks from Managing Directcor of Westom Beamor, Andrew Morton, and School of Jewellery alumni, Jack Rowe who has gone on to be a successful designer maker of luxury pens and a freelance CAD (computer aided design) designer. Both of whom offered an invaluable insight into this industry and stressed that doing what you love is the main aim of the game and to remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing every day. Jack is someone to look up to because he was been through this course and seven years on. He still wakes up every morning excited to get to work. Andrew Morton also gave some very good advice to go and get experience in other creative industries and work on your transferable skills as those are what will stay with you no matter where you’re or where you're working. So who knows what the future holds for me but I'm excited to explore my options and see where things take me. my main focus for the next few months will be to design, explore and develop a collection for my final project at the School of Jewellery and go on to sell it. As always commission work is always an option and please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or find out further details on my 'Contact Me' button at the top of this page. I'm always happy to have a conversation and help you get what you want. Thanks for your time, Rebecca
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AuthorI am a third year student at the School Of Jewellery in Birmingham. Posts will be based upon my progress through my final year on this DFI course. Archives
June 2016
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