How Ella Fearon-Low became a jeweller

We spoke to Ella Fearon-Low about her second career as a jeweller

Ella in her London studio

What I do

I am a self-employed contemporary jeweller. I design and make my own jewellery using a mix of precious and non-precious materials. This involves researching and designing collections and one-off commissions, making new work and pieces to order, as well as all the marketing and administration for my small creative business. It can be quite varied but also very demanding when things get busy.

Jobs in jewellery

There are lots of different roles in and around jewellery:

Designing jewellery/ glasses for retail brands or fashion houses.
Being a technical specialist such as a stone setter or laser welder.
Working as a general jeweller in a shop or for another maker.
Being a designer maker/ artist maker – making and designing your own work like me.
There are lots of other specialist roles in stones, tools etc. sourcing, selling, cutting, making, etc.

Why craft?

Growing up I spent lots of time making things – miniature houses, furniture, models, hats etc. When I was thinking about which area to retrain in after having my children, I realised I wanted to use my hands and I had always enjoyed working in different materials on a small scale so jewellery made sense.

Lanceolate Brooch

What I studied at school

GCSE: As well as the usual English, Maths and Science I studied – Art and Design, French, Italian, Computer Science, History, and Classical Civilisation - I wanted to study Craft, Design and Technology but my school was not able to offer it the year I sat my exams.

A-Level: Art, History of Art, Film Studies

I loved art, design, history of art and languages. I was interested in becoming a fine art curator or a graphic designer at the time I picked my exam choices. A gap year spent working in rural South Asia completely changed my direction until I came back to retrain in jewellery in my 30’s.

What I studied after school

I studied jewellery design and making at Morley College which is an adult education college based near London Waterloo. Over four years I completed the two one-year certificate courses aimed at those pursuing a career in jewellery. I also studied many other short courses, evening courses and term long courses in specific techniques and materials with a range of different tutors who are well regarded practicing jewellers.

I had time to develop my own unique style and creative voice through my work. Knowledgeable tutors encouraged me to develop new ideas through to complete pieces of work, while also developing my craft skills. I also learnt about the market place, took part in prestigious exhibitions judged by the V&A and met with prospective clients.

I trained for four years initially – although I don’t know many jewellers who aren’t always refreshing their skills and studying new skills as there are so many specialisms in jewellery (enamelling, stone-setting, stone cutting, etc.) For example, I received funding a year ago to study silversmithing at West Dean College which I will be doing this summer.

Important decisions

I made some key decisions about how I wanted to work before I launched: I wanted to work for myself, to make my work by hand, and I didn’t really want a big operation where I employ others. I have refined my business and the type of work I make etc based on my experience and my instincts as I have gone along. Former teachers and jewellery friends are important sounding boards too.

Pages from Ella's sketchbooks

Career path

I have been a freelance Artist Jeweller since launching in 2016. A mixture of networking, applying for lots of opportunities and luck have meant I have had lots of different opportunities to show my work in high profile environments, gain business support and mentoring and get small pieces of funding for equipment and training.

The Goldsmiths’ Centre, The Goldsmiths’ Company, The Scottish Gallery Cockpit Arts, The Crafts Council, a-n and The Association for Contemporary Jewellers have all supported my career in different ways.

Challenges

Along the way there have been quite a few knock backs. It can feel personal when you are rejected for an opportunity you really wanted but I often look back later and realise what I learnt from each situation – sometimes a rejection can even spur you on to an even better opportunity.

One of the other challenges I have faced is juggling childcare and school terms with my business. This is especially true in the run up to Christmas where there are so many demands on my energy. I often work weekends and evenings for this reason.

My advice to you

It’s a very rewarding, friendly and supportive sector.

It can take a while to get going and cashflow can be tricky when you start out.

Say yes to as many things as you can when you start because it can really help you understand your own practice and also help you find your audience.

Try and understand as much as you can about the different opportunities out there in your craft area – there are lots of organisations that want to help you.

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