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The Power of The Jewellery Making Community

jewellery making community

What is a craft community?

A craft community is a group of people with the same interests, where they take part in discussions, share tips, connect and support other makers.

How do I join a craft community?

Join Forums

Forums are online discussion boards where you can ask questions and discuss particular topics. Ask questions, share experiences and connect with similar creatives.

Attend Networking Events

Networking is a chance to meet other business owners and form relationships, find opportunities and potential partners to collaborate with.

This is also a great chance to learn new skills by attending events and chatting to others about how they run their business.

Discover Local Jewellers

Building relationships with local jewellers is a great way to make friends and create a support network. Find local jewellers by searching for relevant hashtags on social media (e.g. #cornishjeweller, #handmadeincornwall).

You can also search for groups on Facebook and do a Google search for jewellers in your area - you could drop them a message to show your support or even ask to meet up for a coffee!

craft community

Join Or Organise A Meet Up

If you have a large group of creatives or jewellery makers in your area, it can be a great idea to organise a meet up in your area. Not only will you be able to make friends, you'll be able to exchange ideas too - why not set up a creative workshop to break the ice!

Start Engaging On Social Media

Social media is a fantastic way to join a community of jewellers. You will find thousands of jewellers sharing their work on Instagram and Facebook ā€“ both of these platforms are great for connecting and reaching out to likeminded people. We recommend following 'Make It Kim' and 'Metalsmith Society', accounts on Instagram offering free tips and advice.

Read our blog post: 10 Reasons Your Jewellery Business Needs Social Media

Join Facebook Groups & Twitter Chats

Facebook groups are one of the most popular ways to ask jewellers for advice. One group we would recommend is ā€˜Jewellery Metalsmiths UKā€™ which has over 6,000 members sharing discussions. The group offers a friendly and informative place to enhance your skills and knowledge as well as connect with other jewellers. Here you will be able to ask other jewellers for advice or guidance with no judgement.

Twitter chats are conversations about a specific topic, usually run at a certain time of the week where you can get involved to share your designs for the chance to have your work shared. This a great way to hear from other creatives and for your designs to be discovered. ā€˜Handmade Hourā€™ is a popular account which helps creatives network and showcase their talent, hosting Twitter chats Wednesdays at 7:30pm & Sundays 8pm. Another great account is ā€˜Craft Hourā€™ which runs a chat every Sunday at 7pm.

Join Kernowcraft's Instagram Community By Using #Kernowcraft

Our favourite part about Instagram is being able to connect with our customers! We love seeing your designs using our supplies, as well as behind the scenes fun in your workshops and seeing you all support to fellow makers. Follow Kernowcraft on Instagram and use the hashtag #Kernowcraft to discover more jewellers to connect with and for the chance to be featured on our page.

kernowcraft instagram

Find Kernowcraft & jewellers on Instagram

Why should I get involved with a craft community?

A great way to meet like-minded people

Being a maker can be a lonely place, especially if itā€™s your full time job! Joining groups and meeting up with local creatives gives you the chance to meet new people and share a common interest.

To market your handmade jewellery

If you start engaging with other jewellers or creatives online and in your local area, you will also be getting your business or handmade designs out there in front of others to see!

To learn and enhance your skills

Most creatives are eager to support other jewellers, especially if theyā€™re just staring out learning skills and setting up a business. Don't be shy about reaching out and asking questions in groups or to fellow jewellers.

To find support

Within the craft community it is unlikely you will come across nasty comments, everyone is fully supportive and eager to help you succeed. Within the community, you are all doing the same thing but thereā€™s no competition ā€“ thereā€™s room for everyone to succeed.

To make friends

One of our favourite parts of the jewellery making community is the chance to make real friendships! Whether itā€™s someone who lives in your area or someone who lives on the other side of the world.

Hear from jewellers sharing their favourite things about the jewellery making community…

Barbara Thomson: "Finding wonderful friends."

Richard Edmunds: "As someone just starting out, and honestly jumping into the deep end first, I'd have to say the support and encouragement that I received throughout my project. It's certainly part of the reason I've decided to carry on making."

Karen Young: "Their willingness to share knowledge and help novices get started and improve. They are a fantastic bunch and I wouldnā€™t have managed to navigate the sometimes bumpy road of running my own business without their support, encouragement and a good old dose of humour."

Angela Bird: "Discussing techniques with other jewellery geeks!"

Charlotte Dawson: "Infinite wisdom through sharing tips!"

Liz Lloyd: "The amazing support from everyone!"

Sarah Zannotti: "Creativity, and inspiration."

Pammy Sherratt: "Shared advice and tips."

Debbie Needham: "I am loving it - finding really good friends and support - it's amazing! Love how we all look after and support each other!"

Sherry Duray-Kelaidis: "Generosity of knowledge and experience."

Katie Dorey: "How kind and supportive everyone is!"

Lynn Kendall: "They are all as mad as me!"

Jo Tubb: "Jewellery can be a very insular job - so having friends to chat with about the highs and lows, suppliers, tips, etc is just the best. I've made some great friends over the years and I celebrate all their successes"

Susan Morris: "They are helpful and friendly and share knowledge and ideas."

Alda Rosa: "The support you get at anytime but most of all when you have a crisis of confidence... oh and the tips and advice.... and the unjudgmental support and the constructive criticism and friendships that are formed."

Sharon Noble: "The way if you ask a question somebody will have an answer to help or tips to make things easier."

Yolande Ifold: "Sharing and supportive."

Abigail Plumley: "Sharing of love of making pretty things, sharing knowledge and new friends."

Kago Phuwe: "It gives us a chance to benchmark and learn more from other jewellery geeks around the world..and in the process build good relations!"

Tanya Mahon: "The support you get is amazing, there is always someone there to support and advise you."

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

Maggi Henman
Iā€™ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.
Eve
The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!
Catherine Warwick
Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!
Claire Hall
Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!
Mihaela Ciubotaru
I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.
Jenny Kirkwood
Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?
Frank Wilson
I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.
Catriona
Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website. 
Frank Wilson
It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!
Lenna
Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.
Vivienne Sadler
Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!
Daniel Coe
The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.
Hayley Meredith
I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft.  I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!
April Luescher
Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?
Lynn Carson
I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. Itā€™s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.
Janice Scragg
Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!
Deborah Roberts-Barter
I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!
Claire
I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and Iā€™m over the moon with them.
Rhiannon Piper
The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.
Gloria Williams
I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!
Dorota Todd
I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.
Lydia Farrow
Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.
George Inglis
Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.
Denise Mountain Pike
I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.
Kim Thomson
I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.
Joel Martin
Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!
Helen
Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!
Julia Schofield
Iā€™ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.
Marshal
Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.
Lauren Jodie Piercy
Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.
A
I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones Iā€™ve seen. Thank you!
Christine Wood
Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.
Sarah Tiley
Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.
Jaquie
It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.
Helen Bowles
I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.
Jill Hammersely
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.