Absolute beginner to designer jeweller

Hannah Colvin recently completed the Diploma in Creative Jewellery. Here she talks about how she went from complete beginner to a jewellery designer taking commissions in silver and gold in just one year.

A year ago Hannah had no jewellery experience, now she is working mainly in silver and gold

I have always loved and had a passion for jewellery and its design but I had never made anything before I started the Diploma in Creative Jewellery at London Jewellery School last September.

I really was a complete beginner.

I decided to do the course because I had been at home looking after my three boys for eight years. I wanted a new challenge and a chance to do what I love. And hopefully set up a small but successful business out of it too.

The course has allowed me to put my vision into reality and to make pieces I love. I get so much enjoyment and satisfaction from the process of sketching an idea in my head to finally seeing it finished and being worn.

Hannah enjoys the process of turning a sketch into a finished piece

From completing the course I have worked out what I really want to focus on which is silver and gold smithing and the fusion of these metals is intrinsic to my style and brand.

I love making bold, simple but very well finished contemporary pieces. I am inspired by nature and very organic forms but also by strong geometric shapes.

Hannah takes influences from nature as seen in her bud cuff and seed ring

I am also inspired by art in any form and try to translate and fuse the elements I love into my pieces.

It is the combination of these styles into my designs which I hope makes my pieces totally unique.

I am working on several commissions at the moment and also plan to increase my stock in the run up to Christmas. I am working on my website and have been speaking to several boutique jewellery shops to discuss stocking my pieces. I am also working on a new geometric collection which I am very excited about.

I also plan to do the advanced diploma course next year and from there develop a range of kinetic jewellery which has a completely unique relationship with the wearer.

Bloom pendant

 You can meet Hannah and hear more about her development as a jeweller at the London Jewellery School studio warming and book launch on 16 October. Click here for details.

You can also find Hannah on twitter at @hanniehome and you will soon be able to see more of her work at http://www.hannahcolvin.com.

You can see more diploma students work here.