Meet The Jeweller, Tansy Wilson

We chat Making Jewellery Magazine, publishing your own books to strange commissions!

Tansy Wilson is a talented jeweller who features her techniques and projects in Making Jewellery Magazine.

Working from her home studio, Tansy mainly creates commissions for clients while also juggling her time training her new puppy!

We have been lucky enough to be featured in many of Tansy's Making Jewellery projects, so make sure you pick up the next issue to be inspired to create something new.

Use our crinkle metal sheet to create reticulated designs

Hi Tansy! Tell us about how you got started in making jewellery

I studied 3-Dimensional design for my BA honors degree, specialising in wood, metal, ceramics and plastic technology. I loved making crazy things that had a function, which led into the creative world of jewellery making. I love that you can combine any combination of materials like gold with wood or be classical and have everything made in sterling silver. It makes the design combinations and my creativity endless.

Your projects often feature in Making Jewellery Magazine! What’s the best thing about sharing these step by step projects?

The best thing is when you get emails from people that have tried your project idea and they share their pictures with you. I especially love it when they put their own twist on the design too. Its really rewarding.

What is your favourite project you’ve worked on for Making Jewellery Magazine?

That is such a hard question as I often create projects around jewellery items I would wear myself. I have been wearing a pair of reticulated earrings for the past two weeks and haven't even taken them off so I suppose they are my faves at the moment!

Explore our range of turquoise cabochons and beads here

What is your favourite gemstone and why?

I adore turquoise. It looks great with silver or gold and can be made to look rustic or really modern in a design. Its such a versatile stone.

Tell us more about your creative process when starting a project?

There are two distinct ways that I work. I either sit down and design a piece of jewellery with a client or I let a material dictate the shape and form as I work with it. Either way I am a sponge absorbing shapes and colours whether they are in nature or cultures around me. I am always taking pictures on the mobile or making little scribbles of shapes in a notebook that I carry around everywhere with me for inspiration. When I need to I look at these and put elements together.

Tell us about your set up! Are you based at home or in a studio?

When I lived in London my studio was a shared space about an hour from my home. Although I loved it, I had to be so organised with my time. Now I live in Somerset, I have my studio at home, which is perfect for the way I work. If I have an idea at any time - day or night, I can get creative straight away.

Tansy uses rainbow flourite beads to create this look! Shop our full range of beads and metal wire

What’s one area of jewellery making you would like to improve on or try?

I have put my hand to most techniques but I would love to be able to have better facilities for casting metal to obtain gorgeous solid forms.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I tend to have repetition in my work and am very process led. For example I love to create a texture onto a shape and then make several of those shapes and put them all together to make one item and I particularly like using wire in multiples to create a bold effect. (pictures included)

What’s one silversmithing tool you couldn’t be without and why?

I love tools and to pick one is hard because if I use pliers, I will have several to hand for one piece. However one large tool I cant be without is my rolling mill.

If you’re not making jewellery, where can we find you?

I got a puppy recently and she is my little bundle of joy. However she is full on so if I’m not making jewellery, I’m training her at the moment.

What’s the most interesting commission you’ve created?

One client gave me her wisdom teeth to be cased in sterling silver and turned into earrings. That is definitely the most unusual commission I have ever had.

What’s your favourite piece of jewellery you own and the story behind it?

I am a magpie and making jewellery does tend to mean that I wear so many different pieces but the one constant item I wear is my engagement ring. I designed it and a good friend made it. It was so exciting being the client for a change and choosing my diamond and seeing the ring come together.

How do you manage a busy schedule?

Managing my time is a challenge as I tend to get lots of commissions all at once and prioritising them along with the every day stuff is tricky. I have an old-fashioned paper diary so I can write things down and make lists and luckily I work well under pressure.

Tansy's Bluebell Cluster Necklace features Kernowcraft's cubic zirconia gemstones including white, amethyst coloured, tanzanite coloured all encased in our wraptite pendant settings

What advice would you give someone who’d like to turn their hobby into a business?

I am so enthusiastic I think it is great if people want to take their hobby to the next level. However my advice is nothing will happen overnight and you wont get it right the first time. That was my biggest learning curve.

You’ve published three jewellery making books! How did you find this experience?

I love writing the books for GMC Publications. It’s an immense pressure and the way it works is there are deadlines for each section of the book so its incredibly fast paced but the end results look so great.

What are your goals for the next 5 years?

I have two main goals one professional and personal.

Firstly to completely refurbish my studio as it’s got really chaotic and I’m often tidying up before I can start making something new.

The other one is to have a new patio laid and tidy up the garden so I can truly relax with a glass of wine in the Summer evenings rather than looking around thinking of all the jobs that need doing.

Tansy's Top Kernowcraft Picks

Gemstones & Beads

I adore Kernowcraft's gemstone cabochon and bead ranges and cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone who wants to buy wonderful quality good coloured gemstones for a piece.

Sterling Silver Wraptite Pendant Settings For Faceted Stones

Wraptite Settings

Kernowcraft's wraptite settings are a fabulous product to use to set stones quickly and easily and come in lots of styles and sizes to create different designs.

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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?

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.