Meet The Beader Behind Dainty Rocks

Today we're thrilled to chat to the talented jeweller that is Diane from Dainty Rocks

Diane creates the most beautiful gemstone jewellery and uses many of Kernowcraft's beads within her range of popular designs.

We chat to her all about her journey to starting a handmade jewellery business, how to learn new techniques, the challenges she faces and of course - her favourite Kernowcraft jewellery supplies!

Hi Diane, how did you first discover jewellery making?

I was looking for a necklace for my wedding day and having such a ‘busy' dress, I was looking for something quite specific, and couldn’t find anything.

I was sneakily looking to see how the necklaces were made and trying to figure out if I could do it myself, I could and I did, the finished piece was beautiful to me at the time but a little shocking now I look back on how I finished it, let's say glue and hope held it in place… it started a great passion! No glue nowadays...

What has been your favourite way to learn new techniques?

YouTube or blogs/vlogs are a fabulous way of learning new things, however most is by trial and error and to keep trying.

You focus on beautiful birthstone jewellery, why do you think this is so popular?

Birthstone jewellery is so timeless and elegant. It will always be a popular gift to buy someone and most of us treasure our own birthstones as its personal to us.

What do you enjoy most about jewellery making?

Choosing the gemstones, a kid in a sweetie shop comes to mind.

How would you describe your jewellery in 3 words?

Dainty, elegant, sentimental.

We love your Chakra range, tell us more about the inspiration behind these designs

This is my oldestjewellery line and still one of my best sellers. I was doing a yoga class at the time and getting into the chakras, so I made myself one to wear to 'help me balance’.

Even if you're not into chakra, the colours of the gemstones together are just divine and so eye catching.

Silver or gold?

Silver 200%!

What are your favourite materials to use when creating beaded jewellery?

The gemstones - so diverse, unique, meaningful and sparkly.

How do you make your workspace your own?

I find it's a relaxing place to be, no matter how busy I am in there, I need to walk out relaxed, I usually have a strong cup of tea, a diffuser running, an audible book on or some meditation/spa music. Alexa is my friend.

It's also a very tiny room, I am sure it's the smallest work room in England, so it has to stay very tidy.

What’s one thing you always look for when seeking gemstones to use in your designs?

Transparency on treatments and something a little different, I have recently bought a couple of gemstone strands from Kernowcraft that I have not seen elsewhere, the turquoise tube beads and lapis beads. Love them both.

What has been your favourite commission and why?

There was one which stood out, someone bought a bracelet for their mum who was being treated for cancer, they asked for specific gemstones. The daughter now wears the bracelet in memory of her mum. Having lost my own mum to cancer, this one and all the others like it will always stick in my mind.

You have a beautiful website to sell your jewellery, how has this helped with your business?

I have always had a website and really love my current website supplier as the platform is so easy to use. It's enabled me to take orders direct and I now have a steady flow of orders coming in via this platform.

What is the most challenging part of running a handmade business?

Two things come to mind and I can’t choose which one. Christmas orders, it's like working every waking moment for 6 weeks but I actually thrive on that; so its a good challenge!

And working from home, it's easy as I can be fairly flexible but it's difficult when you don't have people around you, I miss the banter between work mates and usually do have a whole work day 9-3, without saying a word, except to the cats.

What is your favourite design to make and why?

Without a doubt the Family Birthstone Bracelet, it's the most sentimental.

I have spent years sourcing the birthstones in a similar size and shape to enable me to make these as uniformed as possible, as gemstone strands are all so unique, its an ongoing passion of mine to always have matching gemstones for this, so I am always looking.

What is a design or style you’d love to introduce in the future?

I'm currently working on some anklets and introducing gold fill and vermeil at some point, which feels a bit grown up!

3 supplies you love from Kernowcraft and why!

I use Kernowcraft's polishing papers to finish metal for the initial tags and they are perfect for it, never found anything to rival them, in fact I need more so will be ordering soon!

Turquoise beads, for colour vibrancy and finish & this week it was the faceted multicoloured moonstone rondelle beads - absolutely gorgeous cut and colours.

Follow Dainty Rocks

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Diane's Top Kernowcraft Picks

Multicoloured Moonstone Faceted Rondelle Beads

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What Our Customers Say...

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!

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.

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?

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Kim Thomson

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

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.