A Week in the Life of a Trainee Jeweller
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Ever wondered how a jeweller learns their craft?
Today we are taking a closer look at a week in the life of Rebecca, our trainee jeweller. Rebecca has been with us for nine months and in that time has already handcrafted some beautiful pieces.
We wanted to find out what a typical week in the workshop looks like, what inspires her to keep developing her skills, and what it's really like learning the craft of jewellery making.
As I fire questions her way, Rebecca is busy filing, polishing and soldering. Life as a trainee jeweller is certainly never dull - she's rarely without a tool in hand!
Which brings me nicely to my first question...
What does a typical day in the workshop look like for you?
A typical day in the workshop involves working on a couple of pieces and also some smaller repair jobs. More often than not it also includes interrupting Matt’s work to rescue me when I get stuck! Haha. In between all that, I’ll be serving customers in the shop and helping with any enquiries.
What have you been working on this week?
I've spent this week working on some exciting bespoke pieces, but for now they have to remain under wraps as they're top secret. 😉
What's the first thing you do when you arrive each morning?
When I arrive in the morning, I like to start by getting my box from the safe, which contains all the pieces I’m currently working on. I lay everything out in front of me so I can decide what I’m going to tackle first. Once I’ve got a loose plan for the day, I fill up my water bottle and get started on the first piece.Â
While Rebecca continues working away at the bench, I continue my line of questioning...
What kinds of jobs do you work on throughout the week?
Most of the time, Matt or Terry will give me a couple of stones and explain the style of piece they would like me to create. I think of these as the "big handmade jobs" as they involve making something from scratch. I also like to have a few repair jobs on the go as they help break up the day and provide a nice change of pace. Creating a piece from scratch can sometimes take quite a while, so having a mix of work keeps things interesting and allows me to stay productive throughout the week.Â
Now for perhaps the most shocking revelation of the day: Rebecca doesn't drink tea or coffee, unlike the rest of us at Woods, who seem to run almost entirely on caffeine!
So, Rebecca, how do you keep your energy up throughout the day?
I’m not really sure, to be honest. Some days I feel extremely tired, depending on how well I’ve slept. But I think when you’re doing something you genuinely love it’s much easier to stay motivated and excited about what you’re doing. I love making jewellery, so even when I’m tired I’m excited about the pieces I’m creating and improving my skills. That excitement helps keep my energy up and keeps me motivated to continue.
What's something people might be surprised to learn about jewellery making?
A lot of people compare the price of bespoke quotes to what they’ve seen online, but what they often don’t take into account is that those online pieces are usually mass-produced. What we make here is entirely handmade, with a lot more time, care, and attention to detail going into each piece. Because it’s handmade and bespoke, you also have the opportunity to work with us and change any part of the design you would like, making it more personal to you.Â
What skill has been the most challenging to learn so far?
So far I think the most challenging part has been making sure everything is precise and accurate, especially when it comes to cutting and filing. If something is cut unevenly, it won’t fit together properly with the other pieces. The same goes for filing... if an edge is filed at even a slight angle the whole piece may not sit flush or look as clean and polished as it should. It’s taught me the importance of patience, attention to detail, and taking the time to get each step right.
What's been your proudest achievement or piece you've made since joining the workshop?
Honestly, everything. Every time I make something new and give it its final polish, I sit and admire it for a minute and feel incredibly proud of what I've created. At that moment, I always think it's the best thing I've made so far. Then a week later, after finishing my next piece, I get exactly the same feeling all over again. It's really rewarding to see my skills improve with each project and to be able to create something I'm proud of every time.
Most importantly: what was for lunch today?
I literally always have a Waitrose meal deal for lunch, but I treated myself today, actually. I bought an M&S meal deal last night when I got home from work and brought it in with me today. I had a green salad and a pot of strawberries.
After a long day in the workshop, how do you like to relax?
After a long day in the workshop, I like to get home and have a shower. I think one thing people don't realise about jewellery making is how messy it can be. Polishing alone can turn my hands black, and it takes ages to scrub everything off. After my shower, I'll usually relax and watch some TV. At the moment, I'm re-watching The Office, which I absolutely love.
Quick-Fire Questions
Gold or platinum?
Gold
Diamonds or coloured gemstones?
Diamonds
Soldering or stone setting?
Soldering – but only because I don't often stone set. I would love to learn how though.
One word to describe life as a trainee jeweller?
Exciting
Dream piece you'd love to make?
Tennis bracelet
Favourite gemstone?
Sapphire
Early start or late finish?
Late finish
Finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a jeweller?
Just do it! It’s one of the best things you’ll ever do. Find somewhere to learn or someone who can teach you, and take in as much of what they’re saying as you can. There’s always something new to learn, and the more you practise, the more rewarding it becomes. It’s an amazing feeling to create something with your own hands and watch your skills improve over time.
A huge thank you to Rebecca for taking the time to answer our questions while somehow continuing to work at the bench!
Learning the craft of jewellery making takes dedication, patience and practice, and it's been wonderful to watch Rebecca's skills grow over the past nine months. We can't wait to see what she creates next.
Rebecca is also making an Instagram reel to accompany this blog post, click here to watch!
If you'd like to see more behind-the-scenes content from our workshop, keep an eye on our blog and social media channels, where we'll continue sharing the stories, skills and craftsmanship behind every piece we create.