Jewellers Academy Podcast

In this week's episode, host Anna Campbell is joined by Vicky Barclay of Silver Snail Jewellery to talk about her journey from a high-pressure university career into jewellery making and business ownership through silver clay.
Vicky shares how discovering silver clay during a difficult period in her life gave her a creative outlet, a new direction and eventually a business. What started as a single workshop quickly grew into a passion, and then into a jewellery business built through craft fairs, community and continuous learning.
They discuss why silver clay is such an accessible and exciting medium, the realities of building a jewellery business, and the importance of investing in your skills and confidence. Vicky also shares her experience of the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay and how it helped her deepen her knowledge and build confidence in her work.
The conversation also explores the importance of visibility in business, and Vicky reflects on her experience of attending the Jewellers Visibility Retreat at Jewellers Academy Brighton, where she developed skills in photography, social media and marketing, and gained clarity on how to grow her business.
Key Moments
02:56: Vicky's life before jewellery and the stressful university career that led her to seek a creative outlet
04:37: Discovering silver clay for the first time and the moment it clicked for her
07:04: What silver clay is and why it's such an accessible medium
10:44: Realising silver clay was "her thing" and beginning her jewellery journey
13:35: How Silver Snail Jewellery started and building confidence through craft fairs
17:15: Deciding to leave her university job and focus on her jewellery business
25:24: Why Vicky enrolled on the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay
28:19: What she learned from the Diploma and the value of community
30:13: Vicky's experience of the Jewellers Visibility Retreat
37:19: The biggest lesson from the retreat: why you don't have to do everything yourself
 
Jewellers Visibility Retreat at Jewellers Academy Brighton https://www.jewellersacademybrighton.com/jewellers-visibility-retreat
Diploma in Silver Metal Clay https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-silver-metal-clay
Silver Snail Jewellery https://silversnailjewellery.co.uk/

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by award-winning fine jeweller and Jewellers Academy mentor Anelia Kuprina to introduce some exciting new projects coming to the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
They explore the skills behind two key updates to the course: a change to the tennis bracelet project and an updated totem pendant design. These projects help students develop confidence working with precious metals while building essential stone setting and fine jewellery techniques.
Jess and Anelia discuss what students will learn through these projects, from constructing double gallery claw settings and connecting bracelet links to working with shaped stones such as pear, princess and trillion cuts. They also share advice for jewellers tackling more advanced projects, including how to approach complex pieces, why patience and precision matter, and the importance of investing in good tools.
If you're interested in developing your fine jewellery making and stone setting skills, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what students learn inside the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
Learn more about the Diploma in Fine Jewellery: https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery
 
Key Moments
02:05 Introduction to the episode 04:45 The new tennis bracelet project 06:20 Why making a tennis bracelet is such a milestone 09:55 Tips for approaching complex jewellery projects 11:50 The updated totem pendant project 14:00 Learning to work with shaped stone settings 15:20 Advice for students joining the Fine Jewellery Diploma 17:00 The importance of good jewellery tools 19:00 Seeing students develop their own style 20:00 Learn more about the Diploma in Fine Jewellery

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by fine jeweller and tutor Jane Taylor to explore the advantages of working in wax as a fine jeweller.
Jane has been running her jewellery business for nearly 25 years and shares how wax carving has played an important role throughout her career. They discuss how wax allows jewellers to create sculptural, three-dimensional designs that would be difficult to achieve in sheet metal alone, as well as how it can reduce metal waste and make working with unusual gemstones easier.
Jane also shares several of the projects she teaches on the Jewellers Academy Wax Diploma, including shaped signet rings, claw settings in wax, a dramatic cocktail ring and an organic grain-set ring. These projects help students understand the full journey of a piece of jewellery, from design and carving through to casting, stone setting and finishing.
The conversation also explores how wax models can be used in bespoke jewellery commissions to help clients visualise designs in three dimensions before casting. Alongside the practical benefits, Jane talks about the creative freedom and satisfaction that comes from carving wax and seeing a piece transform from a simple block of wax into finished jewellery.
 
Key moments in the conversation
00:02:06: Introduction to Jane Taylor and the focus on wax in jewellery making 00:03:49: Jane's jewellery journey and building her workshop and jewellery business 00:06:18: Project spotlight: carving shaped signet rings in wax 00:10:37: Learning claw setting in wax and understanding stone setting from the start 00:16:04: Creating a sculptural cocktail ring with a large oval stone 00:21:07: Grain setting in wax and designing colourful, organic cluster rings 00:26:38: Jane's wax journey and how it shaped her work as a fine jeweller 00:30:30: Using wax models to communicate designs with clients 00:34:30: Why wax is an accessible and cost-effective material for experimentation 00:35:02: What Jane loves about teaching wax and seeing students' creativity grow
 
Whether you are a beginner jeweller or an experienced maker, this episode offers insight into how wax carving can expand your design possibilities and deepen your jewellery making skills.
 
Learn more about the Diploma in Wax Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-wax-jewellery
Jane Taylor's website https://www.jewelled.co.uk/
Jane's Instagram @jewelledgodalming

This week marks a very special milestone as we celebrate one year of Jewellers Academy Brighton. In this episode, Jessica is joined by School Manager Lisa Hagen and tutors Ellinor Sixtensdotter and Mahroz Hekmati to reflect on what it's been like to build a jewellery school from the ground up and welcome a thriving in-person community.
Over the past year, more than 2,000 students from across the UK and around the world have joined classes in Brighton, learning everything from their very first silver ring to advanced stone setting, enamelling, and fine jewellery techniques. Together, the team shares their favourite moments, the transformations they've witnessed in students' confidence and skills, and the unique energy that comes from learning jewellery in a shared studio space.
You'll hear about the most popular classes, the experience of mentoring diploma students in person, and how teaching can deepen your own skills as a jeweller. They also discuss the importance of creating a welcoming, supportive environment where complete beginners and experienced makers alike can grow creatively and technically.
In this episode, we cover:
• Building a jewellery school and community from scratch • Supporting beginners through their first jewellery projects • Mentoring students through Diploma programmes • Teaching advanced techniques including stone setting and enamelling • How in-person learning complements online jewellery education • The power of creative community in developing confidence and skills
Find out more about Jewellers Academy Brighton and upcoming classes at:

 
Learn more about classes and Jewellers Academy Brighton:
https://www.jewellersacademybrighton.com/

In the 300th episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Anna Campbell is joined by jewellery artist and Diploma mentor Vicki Ralph for a relaxed, inspiring conversation about their shared love of silver metal clay.
They talk about how they each discovered metal clay, why it felt different from traditional silversmithing, and what makes this medium so empowering for beginners and experienced makers alike. From practical tips on keeping clay hydrated to the magic moment when a soft piece of clay transforms into solid silver, this episode explores both the technical and emotional sides of working with metal clay.
You'll also hear about favourite techniques including carving, botanical moulds and reverse-set stones, as well as an inside look at the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay and the supportive mentoring community behind it.
If you've ever been curious about metal clay, this episode will leave you feeling confident, inspired and ready to jump in.
 
Key Moments
02:03: Celebrating Episode 300 and 300 consecutive weeks of the podcast
04:56: Vicki's origin story; flying to Germany to learn metal clay with Anna Mazon
07:56: Anna discovers metal clay after silversmithing did not feel like the right fit
10:01: What is metal clay; shaping, drying and firing clay that becomes real silver
13:00: How accessible it is; starting with minimal tools and torch firing
15:52: What surprises beginners; creating beautiful silver pieces quickly
17:21: Troubleshooting drying clay; hydration tips and staying calm in the process
21:30: 'Everything is fixable'; the zero waste and forgiving nature of metal clay
22:01: Different forms of metal clay; lump clay, paste, syringe and slip
28:20: Favourite techniques; carving, botanical textures and meditative flow
30:32: Reverse-set stones; building fantasy scenes with vines and embellishments
35:09: Letting the clay lead; how designs evolve during the making process
37:58: Inside the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay; beginner friendly and skill-building
42:44: Mentoring and community; watching confidence and signature style emerge
52:42: Advice for beginners and aspiring professionals; jump in and just start
 
Links mentioned in this episode
Free 5 Days of Silver Metal Clay https://www.jewellersacademy.com/5-days-of-silver-metal-clay
Diploma in Silver Metal Clay https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-silver-metal-clay
Vicki's website http://victoriaralphjewellery.com/