26 May 25'
"A truly brilliant day of bling and brain food 💍✨
If you'd told me a month ago that I’d be filing, soldering, and polishing my very own pinky ring (and not setting fire to anything in the process), I’d have politely laughed and backed away. But here I am – proud owner of a beautiful handmade piece of forever jewellery and an even bigger appreciation for the craft, all thanks to Emily and her wonderful ethical jewellery course at Metal Smith in Winchester.
Emily is a gem herself – warm, endlessly patient, and impressively knowledgeable. She guided us through the often murky waters of the jewellery industry with a perfect blend of honesty, passion and humour. We learned about the origins of our materials, the difference between ethical and not-so-ethical practices, and how even something sparkly can have a story worth listening to.
The hands-on part of the day was equal parts fun and mildly terrifying (in the best way). You could choose to make a cute pendant or a ring – I went for the pinky ring, naturally. With Emily’s guidance, I somehow managed to turn a small strip of metal into something I’ll treasure forever. It’s not just jewellery – it’s a memory, a learning, and proof that I have at least some fine motor skills.
The day had the perfect mix of challenge and creativity, and I met some lovely, like-minded folks along the way. Honestly, it felt like a wholesome antidote to the fast fashion frenzy – a little pocket of calm, creativity and conscious making.
Highly, highly recommend this course if you fancy learning something new, getting your hands dirty (in a sparkly sort of way), and walking away with a piece you made yourself. I’m still chuffed every time I look at my ring and think, “Wait, I made that?!”
Thanks Emily – you're a legend.
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