Jewellery Workshop Tour With Little Silver Star

Colourful, quirky & beautiful...

Today we're so excited to share with you a guest post from Kate, the jewellery designer behind Little Silver Star.

Getting your jewellery workshop right can be a tricky task and although you don't need a huge amount of space, it's important to ensure things are stored properly and are accessible while you're working on a project - but the most important thing is that it's a space you love working in!

Kate recently gave her space a makeover, so we asked her to show us around her space full of personality and tell us her top tips and tricks for the perfect workspace.

Need tips on setting up your workspace for the first time and getting a jewellers workbench? Read our advice page!

My main workspace area

The inspiration behind my workshop transformation

I was actually inspired by a competition that the people who own my building Meanwhile Creative were running. The competition was to win a months free rent for the best workshop makeover. It was too late for me take part but looking at all the amazing workshop transformations really made me think I want to do mine now.

I am a very 'spur of the moment' person so I just decided to do it there and then, me and my boyfriend went to B&Q and bought the paint and we got to work. I love colour so much and my fashion is very colour centric and I also have really colourful hair so I wanted to extend this to my work shop. I spend so much time there that I want somewhere that feels comfortable and cheerful and that makes me happy when I am there. Its really hard sometimes running a small business and you never have time to do anything so it's nice to have a safe comfy space to work in.

A Little Bit About Me...

I am from Wolverhampton but moved to Bristol in 2016. I have been making jewellery for about 8 years, silversmithing for about 4 and a half and have been in business since February 2014 - so coming up to 4 years. I am fully self-taught and am learning new skills all the time.

A lot of my designs can be personalised and I love to use colour wherever possible. My spinner rings are my bestselling product and what I am most known for, but I also do lots of different stacking rings and necklaces earrings and bangles. I also use handstamping in many of my pieces and have worked with an illustrator to develop design stamps that are exclusive to Little Silver Star, most recently with my Starry Foxes Collection.

Adding splashes of colour to the workshop

I wanted a space that would make me happy whenever I entered it and I also wanted some cool backdrops to take photos for my Facebook and Instagram. I love to use colour in my jewellery wherever possible with colourful stones or enamel and resin. I am also into Japanese fashion which is really colourful and I also have blue hair haha.

My workshop essentials

I make so many rings so definitely my ring mandrel, saw and rawhide hammer. I also could not live without my mitre cutting jig which makes filing straight lines so easy and my most prized piece of kit my GRS Benchmate for stone setting.

Magnetic Strips From Ikea

A glittery dinocorn my daughter & nephews made me for my birthday!

My 2nd workbench area that my workshop assistant uses

Disco Queen Gemstone Stacking Rings

Personalised Birthstone Spinner Ring

Starry Foxes Spinning Compass Pendant

Little wall display with cute cacti

My workshop assistant Laura customised this Ikea clock for me, it's amazing!

My chill out area...

The best space saving tools!

Ikea is so great for space saving ideas so a lot of my stuff is from there. The magnetic strips hold my stamps, files and burnishers (or anything else metal and not too heavy). I have some of their wall rails with hanging hooks that hold lots of my mandrels and filing sticks. These are all in easy reach of my right hand (I am right handed) so that it makes my working time more efficient. I also have some cool little drawers from Lidl that hold all my stones and casts and ring blanks and Wilko have these amazing under shelf baskets which are great for splitting up orders and stuff without taking up too much shelf space.

Introducing my new 'chill out' area...

Christmas 2016 was so busy for me, actually that whole year was really overwhelming. The business expanded really rapidly and I wasn’t quite ready for it. I had so many orders that Christmas and I had to work 18 hour days, 7 days a week in the 6 weeks running up to Christmas. Sometimes I was so tired I would fall asleep at my bench as I had nowhere comfy to go in my workshop.

So when I was decorating I knew I want to add a comfy area to my studio. Somewhere I could just relax in and be able to get away from it all for a while. The little seat actually folds out into a bed and I have a blanket and some pillows so if I want to have a little nap when I have been working too hard I can haha. It is also a great place for my 4 year old daughter to go if she comes into the studio with me, she actually thinks that it is her space and that I made it especially for her.

That area also has some display boxes in it so that if I do an open studio or customers come to visit I can some jewellery on display. I am actually going to be doing some silversmithing workshops in the future so it will also be a good place to take photos of the students work.

How to make your workshop your own

It doesn’t have to be expensive, I picked up my paint really cheap from B&Q and places like B&M, Wilkos and Ebay are great for getting bargains. Ikea is just brilliant for space saving ideas so its good to go to their store for inspiration, also if you google Ikea hacks you will get so many ideas. You don’t have to do it all at once, I actually implemented a lot of my space saving things at the beginning of the year and then waited until now to do the painting.

Pinterest and Instagram are so good for getting ideas too. Also make sure you get someone to help you, I couldn’t have done I without my boyfriend and my workshop assistant Laura. There was a time when I had moved everything off the walls and to the middle of the room and I was thinking to myself ‘why have I done this’ haha it felt like such a big job but with them helping me it was so much quicker.

Starry Foxes Spinner Ring

The display all with painted wine boxes

Sun, Moon & Star Stacking Ring Set

My 4 year old daughter's Art Wall!

Follow Little Silver Star Designs

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

Photography: Chloe Edwards

Kate's Top Kernowcraft Picks

Blue Moonstone Cabochons

I love the blue moonstones and I actually use them in my sun, moon and star stacking ring. Moonstone is actually one of my favourite stones and the blue hues in these ones are so dreamy.

black friday 22 drusy cabochons sq z.jpg

Drusy Gemstones

The collection of coloured drusy stones Kernowcraft stock are so beautiful I have made a beautiful ring for my best friend with a black oval one and I have two more in my stone collection waiting to made into something special (when I have the time haha). I have some designs in the pipeline which will include drusy so watch this space.

Boulder Opals

I can't talk about Kernowcraft without mentioning the stunning collection of boulder opals. I am always drooling over them, but can never decide which one I want to buy.

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

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 I’m over the moon with them.

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.

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!

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Maggi Henman

I’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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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!

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.

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 I’ve seen. Thank you!

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?

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!

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.

Julia Schofield

I’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.

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!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.