Meet The Jeweller Feature on Kernowcraft

“TO SEE OTHER WOMEN COMBINING THEIR PASSION AND THEIR WORK INTO ONE STREAM WAS SO INSPIRING TO ME AND I LOOKED TO CREATE SOMETHING SIMILAR...”
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HI JANE, PLEASE SHARE WITH US HOW YOUR JEWELLERY MAKING JOURNEY STARTED!
My journey is an interesting one! I started doing volunteer work at a women’s recovery group called The Waterfall when living and working in Southampton (UK) as a nurse. They often had creative sessions as part of their recovery, so I decided to teach myself how to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings and in turn, I taught the women.

When I first started, my mum did say my taking up of the craft was no surprise to her. Though I was born in London UK, my parents hail from Ghana and goldsmithing was the family business.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE THE STEP TO CREATE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS?

There were a couple of reasons as to why I took the step. The first was seeing other women who were passionate about a craft or art form that they loved and were running their business successfully.

At the time I started F+W, I was creatively stuck and desperately looking for a way to express myself creatively. Jewellery was what I landed on and I have not turned back since.

To see other women combining their passion and their work into one stream was so inspiring to me and I looked to create something similar.

"I AM A GOLD GIRL THROUGH AND THROUGH. I FEEL AS IF GOLD GOES WITH EVERYTHING. EVERY GEMSTONE OR DESIGN. IT IS EASY TO WORK WITH, MALLEABLE AND MOULDABLE AND CARRIES MUCH BEAUTY..."

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WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF BOHEMIAN LUXE?

The word ‘bohemian’ has always carried a sense of freedom and lightness to it and that is what it has always meant to me. Likewise, the word ‘luxe’ has always carried a sense of quality and elegance.

Collectively, bohemian luxe is a something that carries freedom, elegance, and grace.

WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME, FEATHERS & WINGS?

I had initially named Feathers + Wings something completely different but the name was far too long. Being a Christian, I wanted to name my business after something that tied in with my faith. Something that was an encouragement of hope. Feathers + Wings was taken from a scripture in the Bible symbolising just that, hope.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL DESIGN YOU HAVE MADE?

My necklace ‘Captain’. Captain is a compass pendant I made available in silver and gold. A compass is commonly used as a guide and for pointing travellers in the right direction. We are all on this journey called life, so I wanted to create a piece to remind us all of the direction we are destined to walk in.

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HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE OF VOLUNTEERING WITH THE WOMEN FROM 'THE WATERFALL' HELP SHAPE YOUR BUSINESS?

Working with the women and watching them learn and create pieces of jewellery has always made me want to stay as connected to people through my business as much as possible. I was able to build amazing relationships with them and I hope to do the same with my customers.

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE METAL TO WORK WITH AND WHY?

SOLID GOLD! I am a gold girl through and through. I feel as if gold goes with everything. Every gemstone or design. It is easy to work with, malleable and mouldable and carries much beauty. It is a captivating metal.

"I’M A FAN OF DAINTY, PETITE AND MINIMAL SO I LOOK TO INCORPORATE THIS IN EVERYTHING I CREATE..."

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WE LOVE YOUR DELICATE USE OF GEMSTONES IN YOUR JEWELLERY, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR DESIGNS USING THEM.

Thank you! I love to create designs that elevate the gemstones without the overall finish being overpowering or on the opposite side of the spectrum too dull. I’m a fan of dainty, petite and minimal so I look to incorporate this in everything I create.

Something small and beautiful that has a way of speaking for itself without being too loud.

FAVOURITE GEMSTONE AND WHY?

My favourite gemstone is opal. It can be difficult to work with because it is such a delicate gemstone, but it gives off the most beautiful and radiant colours. Second to that is diamond or moonstone – I’m still debating but I love those two for the same reason as opal – beautiful, radiant colours!

 

"ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT I GET TO BE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH MY CUSTOMER IS MY FAVOURITE WAY TO MARKET – SO THROUGH EMAIL MARKETING, POSTING ON MY BLOG AND THROUGH STORIES ON INSTAGRAM..."

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YOUR BRANDING IS BEAUTIFUL, TELL US MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR BRAND AND DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR OTHER JEWELLERS AT THE START OF THEIR JOURNEY?

Thank you so much! I will say it has taken a lot of trial and error to get my branding and style to the point it is at today. I really had to do a lot of digging and refining into what I love in terms of colours, aesthetics, and way of living.

For jewellers beginning their journey, just keep on trying. If you find something you and your customers like that works, keep it and anything else that doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to let it go.

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WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JEWELLERY COLLECTIONS?

My inspiration and creative process can be a little backwards haha! I usually have an idea or name for a collection and will work around that to make pieces that cater to that name or the meaning behind the name.

With my gemstone pieces, I usually create based on the shape, cut and colour of the gemstone – to create something that shows off the gemstone’s beauty as best as possible.

WE LOVE YOUR BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEOS! WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHARE THE MAKING PROCESS OF YOUR DESIGNS?

Thank you! You can maintain a connection with your customers, and they can see the journey of how their piece has been made. It makes it so much more personal for both you and your customers and it makes you as a brand reachable. I am an advocate of closing the customer to provider gap!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS AND WHY?

It used to be doing in person markets, but since the pandemic, I have been improving my skills with online marketing and found it to be really enjoyable.

Any opportunity that I get to be in direct contact with my customer is my favourite way to market – so through email marketing, posting on my blog and through stories on Instagram.

WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING JEWELLERY, WHERE MIGHT WE FIND YOU?

Well pre-Covid, you would find me at a concert seeing my favourite bands play live or travelling. Things look a little different now.
I am a nurse in central London so that keeps me busy. I have a big family where we all live together so my days are spent enjoying their company.

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