Sea Glass Jewellery & Launching A Business With Love Kernow

We love supporting Cornish jewellers and when we saw Lucy had launched her sea glass business, we were keen to find out more about it!

In this Meet The Jeweller feature, Lucy shares with us how life in Cornwall has inspired her designs, how jewellery making allows her to switch off from her busy lifestyle and her advice for those wishing to start their own handmade business.

Lucy often comes to collect her orders in person from our studio in Perranporth, Cornwall and we feel very proud that she chooses to support a small business like us for her jewellery making needs. Find out Lucy's favourite Kernowcraft supplies below and be inspired to make your own sea glass jewellery!

Hi Lucy, tell us a bit about yourself!

I am a local girl who has grown up in Cornwall and have always be drawn to the ocean. Whether that be a stroll across the beach with the dogs or getting in the ocean itself. It is ultimately the dog walks on the beach that drew my inspiration to making jewellery. I would often stumble across sea glass on the beach and I became obsessed with collecting as much as I could. It became so exciting to explore new beaches all around Cornwall to see what treasures I could find.

Tell us about the first time you tried jewellery making and what you loved about it!

The first time I made jewellery I was only a little girl. I was with my nan at the time, she was always so creative and artistic, so she was always making things. I remember her setting out all these fascinating beads from an old rusty tin. It was full of different shapes and colours. She would sit there and show me all these fantastic little pieces then let me get creative and make stuff out of it with her.

What’s your favourite thing about using sea glass?

I adore how raw the material is and that it has been re-created by the ocean to have a new life as something else. I love the range of colours you can discover and that everyday new pieces are revealed. Each with its own mystery of its origin, never knowing where that piece sea glass came from or what it once could have been. I truly feel like it is a little gift from the ocean.

Congratulations on the recent launch of your jewellery business, tell us more about the process to getting to this point.

For about a year I have been creating small pieces of jewellery for myself never really having the confidence to launch it. With the support and love from my other half I finally made the jump. I did a lot of research and watched a lot of tutorials, I started making jewellery for friends and family and it has organically grown from there.

What advice would you give to a hobbyist wanting to take the step to sell their jewellery?

I would advise them to just go for it! I wish I had a long time ago. Find your own creative style and stay true to that, and no matter how silly you might think a creation will look if you are inspired to make it then go for it.

Tell us more about having ambassadors for your jewellery business!

I love the girls I have as my ambassadors. It's such a nice way to capture the true beauty of your work on such talented models. It is a great way for people to see what your products look like in real life as well and not just in a studio setting. For me, it is very important to have ambassadors who share my vision.

As a nurse, photographer and blogger, what’s your top tips for time management?

To be honest I’m not really sure, I have to write everything down and allocate time for each thing. But for me making jewellery is my way of relaxing and switching off from the hectic day-to-day stresses. I am lucky to live where I do and have jobs that I love, if you love every element of your life it's always a pleasure.

Describe Love Kernow Jewellery in 3 words!

Unique, sustainable, dainty

What does a typical day look like for you?

If I’m not working at the hospital or doing photo shoots, I wake up slow and do a short session of yoga to get me going. I then attend to my animals and head down to the beach with the dogs and start the sea glass hunt. If I have jewellery that needs photographing then I will try and get into the studio to get creative and shoot. My day finishes by unwinding and spending quality time with my other half whilst having pooch snuggles on the sofa.

How does living in Cornwall inspire your designs?

I am inspired daily by the changes of the rugged coastline and the seasonal changes. I also adore the changing colours of the plant life. At the moment I am obsessed with the yellow gorse against the blue seas.

What are your favourite beaches in Cornwall for finding sea glass?

I don’t actually have any particular beaches that are my favourite as I am pretty lucky to find beautiful sea glass on most beaches I go to. I think it is a case of spending the time to look and discover pieces.

Who is one Cornish creative everyone should be following right now and why?

I am obsessed with Sadie Jewellery. She is such a talented jeweller and is so creative, you can see how much passion she has in every piece she produces.

Top 3 favourite Kernowcraft supplies and why!

Glue on bails

These were the first materials I used when I started working with sea glass. It helped me gain confidence to move on to the next steps.

Aligator tape

This stuff was a game changer for saving my fingers.

Diamond drill bits

This allowed me to create so much more by actually being able to drill though my sea glass.

Watch Kernowcraft's tutorial on how to drill sea glass below

Get all the supplies and more advice you may need here.

What’s your top tip for taking jewellery photos?

Good lighting and composition is key. I shoot with a Canon camera and use my 24-70mm lens to get up nice and close to my jewellery. Get creative with how you present you jewellery and try to show your personality and style through you props. Its not all about the expensive equipment and studios to capture nice shots. Get creative with whatever you’ve got.

What area of jewellery making would you like to explore next?

I am about to learn the art of silverwork, I can't wait to explore how I can personalise my sea glass range more with recycled silver.

You have always been a wonderful supporter of Kernowcraft, why would you recommend us as a supplier?

For me I love to use Kernowcraft as I'm very passionate about promoting local Cornish businesses. You guys have always been so supportive and are always on hand to help, you go above and beyond.

What can we expect from Love Kernow Jewellery over the next year?

I am certainly looking to add more pieces to my jewellery range. To add a lot more silver work to my sea glass range and to dabble more with sustainable materials.

Glue On Bell Caps

At Kernowcraft, we have a beautiful range of sterling silver and plated bell caps for your jewellery designs where you can adjust the claws to fit around your chosen stone. They are perfect to use with small tumbled polished stones, sea glass and raw crystals. We recommend using our Devcon Epoxy glue to secure your stone into the setting.

Customise With Charms

We love using charms in our designs! They are such a fun way to add some personality to your designs. Discover sterling silver, vermeil gold and paua shell charms all waiting to be made into something beautiful.

Be inspired by sea glass beginner projects below

Follow Love Kernow Jewellery

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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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kim Thomson

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!