There was plenty to celebrate as we headed to the ICC in Birmingham on Thursday 8th October for the National Association of Jewellers Awards, with our very own Ant James shortlisted for Unsung Hero of the Year.
Being recognised alongside people from across the jewellery industry was a proud moment for Ant and for all of us at Kernowcraft. The Unsung Hero category shines a light on the people whose work behind the scenes helps a business move forward, and it was lovely to see Ant’s contribution recognised in this way.
Although he didn’t take home the award, being a finalist was an achievement to celebrate. Huge congratulations to the winner, Sam Cavell of Weston Beamor, and to everyone recognised on the night.
Familiar faces and new connections
One of the real pleasures of the evening was the chance to spend time with people from across the trade. It was lovely to see Andrew Berry from At The Bench, Stuart Pool from Nineteen48 and members of the De Beers team, and to have time for conversations away from the usual demands of the working day.
We also had the pleasure of sharing a table with the wonderful team from Woods Jewellers in Coulsdon. They had plenty to celebrate too, with Rebecca Stuart shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year and Matt Dunn for Workshop Professional of the Year. It was a joy to share the evening with them and cheer on the talent within their team.
That mix of familiar faces and new introductions made the night particularly enjoyable. There’s something valuable about getting people around a table, hearing about their businesses and finding out what matters to them. A single conversation can offer a fresh perspective, spark an idea or become the beginning of a lasting relationship.
Why being part of the jewellery community matters
At Kernowcraft, we spend our days supporting people who love making jewellery. An evening like this connects that work with the wider industry, bringing together the makers, retailers, suppliers and educators who all have something to contribute.
Taking time to meet, share experiences and celebrate each other’s achievements helps those connections grow. It gives us the chance to learn from people with different skills and perspectives, and reminds us how much knowledge and generosity there is within the trade.
The awards also give well-deserved attention to the people behind the businesses. From emerging talent to experienced workshop professionals and the colleagues working behind the scenes, there’s a great deal of dedication worth recognising.
We came away proud of Ant, pleased to have made new connections and grateful to be part of this community. Thank you to the NAJ for bringing everyone together, to our lovely table companions at Woods Jewellers, and to everyone who made it such an enjoyable evening.
The NAJ Awards were a night full of sparkle, and it’s inspired us to bring a little of that dazzle to your festive makes. Our collection of sparkling faceted stones offers dazzling clarity and light-catching brilliance in a huge range of shapes and sizes, perfect for rings, studs and pendants. For something ready to make and give, our sterling silver star jewellery kit has everything you need for a matching necklace, bracelet and earrings, all presented in a gift box.
