Men making jewellery

Although you may imagine that the majority of our students are female (and you would be correct) we do have more and more men attending our classes. Tutor Anna Campbell spoke to two students to find out more about their work.

 I am a tutor and mentor for the one year Diploma in Creative Jewellery here at the London Jewellery School. The course is taught one day per week over three terms. In one of the groups that I mentor, men outnumber the women 3 to 1. This group are currently in their third term and will be finishing the course and exhibiting their work soon.

Some of Anna’s diploma group discuss stone setting option with Hayley Kruger

I spoke to Andrew Tills, one of the students in the group.

What attracted you to the diploma course?

The course touches on several styles and concepts which can be used in making jewellery – no matter what budget you’re targeting

What work were you doing before starting the course?

I was a catering manager/chef.

Which jewellery medium/s do you prefer working in and why?

Both glass fusion and silver work. Glass brings colour to my work without breaking the bank. Silver work gives me the pleasure of turning a piece of boring metal into something that is functional that I can say ‘I made it’.

 What do you hope to do with your jewellery making skills when you finish the course?

I am considering furthering my training so as to create a stronger foundation to developing and creating a jewellery business of my own.

 I was also able to catch up with George Galula at our new studio warming event last week. George is a registered nurse but had always dreamed of becoming an artist and getting involved in fashion.

He graduated from the Diploma in Creative Jewellery with a distinction and went on to take our Advanced Jewellery Diploma earlier this year.

He is currently building up his jewellery business, working hard on a new collection for the pop up shop he has rented with his partner at Craft Central for two weeks over Christmas. He has had three framed pieces shown at an exhibition at UCL hospital gallery and he sold one of these. He also has some pieces from his Mudlark collection being photographed as part of a fashion shoot in Paris in November.

Pieces from George Galula’s Mudlark collection

So whatever gender you are, if you want to start jewellery making or would love to develop your current skills further consider the diplomas at the London Jewellery School. Our students are testimony to the fact that they are a great stepping stone to the next step in your jewellery making career.