Jewellery Inspired By Cornwall, Magic & Myth With Gemheaven Jewellery

Meet Jo! A talented jeweller, working from her wonderful home studio in Cornwall, where she creates magical and mythical handmade jewellery designs! We have always been in awe of Jo's statement gemstone designs, so we were super excited to hear more about Jo's experiences, inspirations and processes. We ask Jo all about how she discovered her signature style and passion for gemstones, we gain top tips on gaining a growing and engaged following on social media and hear all about Jo's love for Cornwall which plays a key role in inspiring her boho jewellery designs.

Hi Jo, how did you first discover your love for jewellery making?

I initially fell down the rabbit hole of looking on a website for beading thread to mend a necklace I had broken, I never looked back and never did mend that necklace. It grew from there and I began wire wrapping gemstones, and lampwork beads before I moved on to silversmithing in 2008.

How has living in Cornwall inspired your designs?

How can Cornwall not inspire! I’m definitely a Cornish maid, the essence and magic of Cornwall, whether from folklore, myth or the beautiful coast and wilds of the moors is in my blood. I like to think there is a bit of Cornwall in each piece I create.

"I like to think there is a bit of Cornwall in each piece I create..."

What was your experience like studying a jewellery course and what did you gain from this?

Before I started silversmithing I wanted to expand my skills, this was before Instagram or YouTube so apart from reading there was nothing else but finding a course. I am a hands-on learner, so I took a course at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery with Lisa Cain and that was the start of me with a torch!

"When I left Etsy a couple of years ago, I was a little worried but honestly it’s the best thing I could have done..."

"My top tip would be to put your face on there, it wasn’t a comfortable thing for me, but it does give some insight to the person behind the designs..."

How would you describe your jewellery?

Once someone described it as other worldly (Lord Of The Rings) which I loved, but I would say a little rustic, a little bit boho and a whole lot of magic!

How have you found selling jewellery on your own website compared to platforms such as Etsy?

When I left Etsy a couple of years ago, I was a little worried but honestly it’s the best thing I could have done. Selling online isn’t the easiest thing, you do have to promote constantly but I think I was already doing that before I left so apart from pointing people to Etsy, I just started pointing them to my website instead.

You’ve grown a brilliant following on Instagram, what are your top tips on growing your social media and having an engaged community?

I’m lucky that I started right at the start of Instagram so my numbers have grown organically, slowly but surely. I love the visualisation of Instagram, and the fact you can connect with your customers. My top tip would be to put your face on there, it wasn’t a comfortable thing for me, but it does give some insight to the person behind the designs. I think it's so important for handcrafted jewellery, for some behind the scenes shots too. Everyone loves to see the process even if just a snippet.

We love your gemstone designs, what’s your favourite gemstone to use and why?

Ohh gosh I have to say labradorite, moonstone, aquamarine and Australian opal. I know you said favourite, but I couldn’t pick just one and if you looked at my gemstone drawers it would be obvious these are my top 4!

What do you love most about bohemian style?

I think bohemian style captures a little wildness, free thinking and no confines of a particular style. I create what I feel, what inspires me, what flows.

Favourite beach in Cornwall and why?

As a child we spent all our summer weekends on a beach on the south coast called Pendower and I have such amazing memories from there, but I love the sand and more rugged coastline of the north coast, there is a little magic at Holywell Bay for me.

Where do you find inspiration for your next make?

Sometimes it is the gemstone that does the talking, and sometimes a book I am reading, or a photograph, a quote, or just looking at the night sky!

"I love to hear people can spot my designs a mile off – that for me is the best thing..."

What’s your favourite piece of jewellery you’ve ever made and why?

That’s such a hard question hahah, at the moment it would have to be my lockets. I have to really think about the construction and I feel like they push me out of my comfort zone. But I think yearly I change my mind on a favourite piece... (to be far every piece has a little bit of my heart).

How did you find your jewellery style - was it something that evolved or happened almost instantly?

It's funny when I look back over my old Flickr account (Prior to Instagram etc.) I think my style is there from the start, it's just as my confidence and skills grew my pieces evolved. I love to hear people can spot my designs a mile off – that for me is the best thing.

"I am rubbish at taking time out because I love what I do but I think it's important for the creative process to rest and recuperate..."

What’s your favourite way to have down time?

I’d have to say a long walk, whether in the woods or along the beach on dry days but on a wet winters day I am an avid reader and can easily lose myself in a book too. I am rubbish at taking time out because I love what I do but I think it's important for the creative process to rest and recuperate.

Tell us about your studio, how have you made it your own and how long do you spend in there each day?

Ahhh my lovely new studio! My husband and I built it by hand at the top of the garden and I moved into her in November 2020 after 12 years in the garage (which was converted but had a frosted window so not much natural light). Now I have a big window above my bench and I look out over my garden. My husband built a wonderful bench and worktop, and she couldn’t be more perfect for me!

I have plants and pictures on the wall, and crystals on shelves – it’s my happy place! I probably spend at least 8 ish hours a day in there, sometimes longer!

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Photography credit: Griffin Photography

What’s 3 Kernowcraft products you’d recommend and why?

Gemstones

Always great quality and I am never disappointed in what I receive.

Settings

I love that you make sure if buying little cabochons and settings together you make sure they fit when a note is added to the basket. Sometimes using the tiny premade bezel cups saves so much time (and my eyesight)

Tools

You always have something a little different - sometimes I just have a scroll through and find something I think I must have (tool addict here!)

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

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.

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.

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!

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!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

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 he friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.