Designer Interview – Janet Sherret

• 1. When and how did you start making jewellery?
  
  I started making simple charm bracelets about a year ago, to sell online and I took some in to work and got a lot of interest and orders. I really enjoyed it but wanted to learn new techniques, so I turned to magazines and online tutorials. I now make beads and pendants from polymer clay, do some wirework, and have recently started beadweaving, which produces great pieces and is a very satisfying medium.

• 2. Where do you go for inspiration?
  
  “I find inspiration from magazines and jewellery making friends, but I mostly get inspired by beautiful beads. When I look at them I can imagine them together with other colours and how they would look in a necklace or perhaps a pair of earrings for example.”

• 3. Who is your favourite designer?
  
  “I don’t really have a favourite designer, but I saw an article on a girl called Linda Smyth who made beautiful rings from sterling silver and gold and she drew her inspiration from the animal kingdom. They were amazing!”

• 4. What can’t you live without when making jewellery?
  
  “I couldn’t live without my tools, they are high quality and make it so easy to make my pieces.”

• 5. What advice would you give to someone getting into jewellery making?
  
  “My advice would be persevere and promote. And also don’t be afraid to try something new,it might end up being the medium you excell in.”

• 6. What makes you smile the most when making jewellery?
  
  “Seeing someone fall in love with something I have made!!”

• 7. What advice would you give to someone thinking of setting up a business to sell their jewellery designs?
  
  “Be unique, sell yourself and your jewellery and use high quality materials.”

• 8. Finally, what’s your favourite piece of jewellery to make?
  
  “Oh that’s a difficult one, but I think I’m going to have to say bracelets, because although they’re relatively simple to make, there’s always so much more you can do to make every design a little more complex and different!”

• 9. Anything else you would like to add?

  “I would also add that my Facebook page has been the most successful way for me to sell and promote my jewellery and I have made a lot of like-minded, jewellery making friends through it, always handy when you need advice too!!

  Also I have won four competitions with my designs and this has given me encouragement to continue making jewellery”

   

Janet’s links:

My facebook page
My Folksy page
www.fungiftsforwrists.co.uk