Meet The Jeweller Behind Hazey Designs

Today we're chatting to Hazel, the jeweller behind Hazey Designs! Working from her home studio in Aberdeenshire, Hazel focuses on mixed metals and gemstone beads to create unique and beautiful designs.

We find out about how being approached by Not On The High Street, gave Hazel the push she needed to work on her handmade business full time! Not only do we hear how Hazel discovered the wonderful world of jewellery making, we learn all about Hazel's top photography tips and find out why briolettes are her go-to bead.

Hi Hazel, tell us how you discovered jewellery making?

It was a gradual process. I’ve always been creative and knew from an early age that I wanted to go to Art School.

I enrolled on a college course in order to spend a year creating a suitable art portfolio for applying with. As part of the course, I spent time experimenting with both wire and metal work and I achieved a place at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen the following year.

During my time at university, I specialised in textile design as I enjoyed creating textures by incorporating different wires with natural fabrics through weaving and through hand felting.

After graduation, I began working on a much smaller scale creating affordable framed textile art and jewellery. My work naturally evolved towards focusing solely on jewellery as time went by.

How would you describe your jewellery?

I like to create delicate, textured jewellery that is both easy to wear and affordable. My pieces incorporate mixed metals of sterling and fine silver with filled gold and accents of colour from natural gemstones.

What gave you the push to start your own handmade business selling your designs?

After graduating from university, I was working part time on my textile art and jewellery whilst also working in a small art gallery/shop. My friend was setting up websites so I had a website created from a very early stage that I could sell through. It was from there that I was approached by Not On The High Street to sell through their online platform.

It was in their first year or so of launching and as their website grew in popularity, so did my exposure to a much wider customer base. It motivated me to focus purely on my jewellery range and created the foundations for my business as it is today. It was absolutely the push I needed to work on it full time.

What’s on your wish list right now?

I’m always looking for new gemstones to add to my collection. I’d like some larger sizes of rainbow moonstone to create pendants with. I tend to use smaller pieces as highlights in my designs, but I’d like to have a real focal point.

Rough or smooth gemstone beads?

I prefer to work with smooth gemstones in general as I really enjoy the contrast that they have when paired with metal that had been textured. I like to use different types of jeweller hammers to achieve texture and then to have the smooth or polished gemstone create extra detail to the finished piece.

Tell us about your home studio and how you make it your own?

I have a lovely creative studio space in my home in Aberdeenshire. My workbench is surrounded by shelves filled with pots of colourful gemstones and pearls that I’ve collected over the years. I use mood boards on the studio walls as visual inspiration and update them frequently.

It can be hard to keep yourself motivated when you work alone so my surroundings have to inspire me. Half of my studio space is for making and being creative and the other side is for doing website work and gift wrapping. An organised side and a creative side!

Where do you find inspiration for your next make?

I carry a sketchbook with me and am always jotting down ideas or colours that I find interesting. Inspiration can come from anywhere so I like to have my sketchbook or I use my camera phone to capture unusual shapes or textures that I see in nature.

In my studio, my gemstones are stored in clear stacking pots so that I can see at a glance what colours or textures might go well together. I use this as a starting point and through my sketches, I see where my imagination takes me.

What’s one technique you would love to learn?

I’d really like to get better and stone setting. I have such a beautiful range of cabochons that I’ve collected over time and they are calling out to be set in silver. That’s my next project!

What’s your favourite shape bead to work with?

I really enjoy working with briolettes. Wire wrapping the beautiful teardrop shapes in soft silver or gold wire is quite therapeutic and the finished result is always so attractive. The faceted cut of some gemstone briolettes can really highlight the natural beauty. Labradorite is a stunning example with its blue flashes or the gold pyrite glimmers within lapis lazuli.

Favourite gemstone combination and why?

I grew up living by the sea and am always drawn to gemstones in sea tones such as larimar, aquamarine and amazonite. I like the combination of amazonite and peridot together as its vibrant yet also quite soothing.

I also enjoy contrasting warm and cold colours together as they aren’t always obvious choices. Ruby or rose quartz matched with aquamarine creates an attractive pairing. The natural tones within watermelon tourmaline show how beautiful opposing shades are when they occur naturally.

We love your photography, what’s your secret?

Thank you! I work hard to achieve interesting photographs of my jewellery which allow the beauty of the gemstones to really shine through. I always use natural daylight, but not direct sun as you don’t want shadow. Getting the right angle is important and can be trial and error. Photoboards can really help with adding different backgrounds and add interest. There are so many good ones available online nowadays.

What’s one tip you would give an aspiring jeweller?

Experiment! You’ll find your own style through experimenting but don’t feel stuck to it as it will naturally evolve over time and you should let it.

Eventually you’ll find that you have a recognisable style that is personal to you and that will become your brand.

What’s your most popular design and why do you think that is?

Either my mixed metal skinny bracelets which can be stacked together for a chunkier look or my mixed metal circle earrings. Both are incredibly popular and have been for a couple of years now. The trio of yellow, rose gold and silver tones create a striking look when worn at the same time and it seems to be a popular style at the moment. The earrings are lovely and light to wear on the ear despite having the three metals and I always get such positive feedback from customers who have received them as gifts.

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Hazel's Top Kernowcraft Picks

Town Talk Polishing Cloths

"I love them for giving my jewellery a final polish before I gift wrap them."

O’Keefes Working Hands Hand Cream

"Fantastic cream for applying to dry hands at the end of the day."

Polishing Papers

"These are great for using with silver art clay as they are really gentle yet bring the silver up to the most beautiful shine. I always like to have these to hand."

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.