Meet The Jeweller Behind Claire Howard Jewellery

Hi Claire, tell us about your handmade jewellery business and how it all started!

I started off by doing lots of beading with my sister whilst we were both on maternity leave. My husband then had a big birthday and I wanted to get him some cufflinks, a local jeweller (who I had made several purchases from!) made me the offer of a lifetime and said he would teach me to make them and then it just sprang from there.

He taught me so much about jewellery, about what I liked and what I was capable of. I have done some courses at the London Jewellery School but I still go back to Richard and he teaches me how to make something new. I’m still very governed by making what I like but I am learning to make other styles and designs which I wouldn’t necessarily wear but still can put my heart in to!

In the last year I have started running workshop evenings which have been a success for me, not only in that I get to spend time with a varied and fun group of people but I miss teaching dreadfully and this plugs that gap.

What is your favourite gemstone?

Turquoise is my absolute favourite. It has always been my favourite colour and I adore how the stone can range from a pale powder blue through to a sky blue but also a blue green, those colours remind me of the sky and the sea, and Norfolk has a lot of big skies and sea.

Turquoise is the stone of friendship and is supposed to bring peace to the home, those are two things that are really important to me. In jewellery making, I think there is nothing like the mixture of silver and turquoise.

We love your branding of your logo and handmade packaging – how did you perfect these?

I am really proud of my logo and my packaging, but they couldn’t have been done without help. My logo is the work of a past pupil of mine. She has been wonderful at listening to what I thought I wanted and looking at my jewellery and creating this wonderfully floral and delicate logo with hints of gemstones hidden amongst the flowers!

It’s been the help of my best friend who has branded everything else, making my website and shop all reflect that logo. I am absolutely thrilled with the results! I also have a friend who decoupages the labels for my gift bags!

Have you learned anything about yourself since making jewellery?

I’ve learned a huge amount about myself, I’m quite a reflective person.

Two years ago I left teaching a full time class of 32 Year 2 and 3 children to do the school run for my son and the shock of going from a busy classroom to not talking to anyone but the dog and the postman all day, took some getting used to. My friend has been my sanity as we always meet on a Friday for coffee and cake. I have learned that if I persevere at something I really can do it, I have learned to walk away if the stone refuses to be set, I have learned to polish as you go along so you don’t end up with a huge pile of polishing and a mucky forehead!

My workshop is a converted dairy cowshed on the end of our house. My husband has worked so hard on making it mine

What is one jewellery making technique you’d like to master and why?

There are so many things I want to be able to do, granulation is top of my ‘to master’ list at the moment.

Tell us about your workshop and how you make it your own.

My workshop is a converted dairy cowshed on the end of our house. My husband has worked so hard on making it mine, from building my bench to drilling holes, to painting and plumbing, fixing my polishing machine. So really the only thing I did was turn on Radio 2, a fan heater – it gets very cold and make a lot of bunting!

In your experience, what has been the best way to market your jewellery and get yourself out there?!

Instagram has been amazing for me! For me it’s so much more than just a platform to show my jewellery, it’s an opportunity to show pieces of jewellery I have loved making, a place to show how much I love other people’s products and I could while away hours just having a mooch and a giggle!

I love being able to snap a piece of jewellery or a moment at a workshop evening and write something straight from the happy excitement of just finishing something special. I feel so lucky to be part of such a community on Instagram, I’ve made some wonderful friends both with local people and with people across the other side of the world whose designs I adore and who as people are really interesting and supportive.

There are 3 people I follow who are my favourites, one gives me inspiration from the Norfolk countryside, one challenges my making - we are working collaboratively and she has opened my eyes to colour and one is just learning lapidary and makes me really think how the stone I am holding has made its journey to me.

For workshop inspiration and tips on setting up your workbench and jewellery studio, read our advice post here.

My favourite design would have to be the first faceted stone I set which was a rainbow glow cubic zirconia which I bought from Kernowcraft. I was just blown away by the tiny little shards of rainbow colours and the light coming from the bottom.

Claire's beautiful ring using rainbow glow cubic zirconia

Where can we find you on a Sunday afternoon?

Sunday afternoons are perfect for walks on the beach at Wells or around Holkham Hall grounds with my husband, son and bonkers cocker spaniel. There’s always an opportunity for a warm cuppa and slab of cake too!

Do you have any tips for jewellery making beginners, wanting to attend their first craft event?

The biggest piece of advice I would give is to look carefully at your pricing – such a tricky thing to do…. Always be positive and talk to everyone, get tips from other stall holders and start to build your own community. Don’t be downhearted if you don’t sell very much at your first fair, it may be for a myriad of reasons, but it is not usually because your jewellery is not good enough. Celebrate whatever successes you have with a drink, be it hot chocolate or prosecco!

What is one design you’re really proud of and why?

I absolutely love to set gemstones. I didn’t try it until recently but I get such pleasure out of sliding that little gemstone in to a snug bezel and seeing the stone set off against the silver. My favourite would have to be the first faceted stone I set which was a rainbow glow cubic zirconia which I bought from Kernowcraft. I was just blown away by the tiny little shards of rainbow colours and the light coming from the bottom.

It was a magical moment and I felt such pride that I had been able to make it.

Claire's Top Kernowcraft Picks

Alligator Tape

Alligator tape would be my first product to recommend, it really is kind to your fingers although I can never put it on without getting completely tangled up! Consequently I use a lot of it.

Turquoise Cabochons

I love Kernowcraft’s turquoise cabochons, there’s such a variety and always something new to look after and dream about setting, I also love the richness of the blue of their lapis lazuli and the clear green of their peridot.

Kernowcraft's Jewellery Making Blog

Lastly it’s not a product, but their blog is brilliant. I love the Meet the Jeweller (I was thrilled to be asked!), their post on photography had so many useful ideas in it and I often go back to it.

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

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.

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!

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

Kim Thomson

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.