A Week in the Life of a Jewellery Designer: Sticks and Stones, and Interruptions

Hello folks, and how are you today? It's dismal and grey out there this weekend - it's a good job I have loads of stuff to do to take my mind off it. 
I started by making a couple of gifts for friends who have birthdays in November. These suncatchers are quick to make and are universally loved. I had a load of orders a couple of years ago and bought the crystals and drops at that time from a crystal wholesaler and still have a few left. If you would like a couple, do let me know - hung in a garden or in a window, they make the most interesting and colourful patterns on the wall when the light streams through them. I know a couple of people who will be getting these as gifts for Christmas.

---

Ah, the glamorous life of a jewellery designer! People often imagine us surrounded by sparkling gems, crafting masterpieces in serene studios. Well, let me give you a peek behind the curtain – it’s more about juggling, laughter, and a lot of interrupted moments.

 Day 1: The Grand Stone Placement
​My jewellery making week begins on a Saturday - that's the day I post a blog if I have something to show and say, and start a new piece of jewellery. 
I began last Saturday with a vision – a new project featuring a stunning array of stones. I meticulously laid out my gemstones: a beautifully marked piece of banded agate, a dazzling blue oval crystal, and a radiant piece of fused glass (a shoutout to my beloved ‘St Elmo’s Fire’!). I threw in another pale white agate for good measure, to increase the size of the piece. I took the picture so that I remembered where I wanted the stones to go after I had placed a bezel around the uppermost agate.

I was ready to begin the intricate process of embroidery. ​

---

Day 2: Colour Conundrums
​Choosing the right colours is like deciding which ice cream flavor to have – it’s both delightful and maddening. After much contemplation, I settled on a vibrant mix of turquoise, orange, and yellow beads to complement my stones. The first stitches went in smoothly. I was in the zone – until the inevitable happened.

Day 3: The Art of Interruption 
​No day is complete without its interruptions and Monday is the worst for it. My husband needed a cup of tea, a snack, and perhaps just a bit of attention. Then, as if on cue, my phone buzzed with messages from people seeking advice. Multi-tasking became the theme of the day. Stitch a bead, respond to a message, fetch a snack, repeat.

---

Day 4: Finding the Humour
​By mid-week, I had embraced the chaos. The interruptions became moments of levity. My husband’s requests often came with a side of cheeky humor: “Can you fetch me some tea, oh Great Designer of Gems?” How could I refuse? These breaks, though frequent, were filled with laughter, reminding me why I love my bustling life.

​Day 5: Progress Amidst Chaos 
Despite the interruptions, the project progressed. The embroidery began to take shape. The beads started to form beautiful outlines around each stone. My workspace looked like a riot of colour and creativity. Each stitch was a step closer to the final piece, even if it took a bit longer with all the stops and starts.

---

Day 6: Juggling Roles
Friday was all about perfecting the embroidery and finishing the piece on the back while juggling roles. I found myself in a conference call with a manager of Information Governance, my needle set aside and the week at the day job put to bed, hopefully.  
​
​Day 7: Reflection and Completion
As the week drew to a close, I reflected on the journey. The piece was almost complete, each stone perfectly placed, each bead carefully stitched. It wasn’t just a necklace; it was a testament to the balance of my life. The interruptions, the laughter, the quiet moments of focus – all woven into the fabric of my creative process.

---

​Final Thoughts

Creating jewellery is as much about the process as it is about the final product. It’s about finding joy in the chaos, humour in the interruptions, and beauty in the small, meticulous details. So, here’s to another week of creating, laughing, and balancing – because every piece of jewellery tells a story, and this one is about the delightful dance of life.
And there you have it – a peek into the whimsical, and sometimes wacky world of a jewellery designer who also happens to be a gynaecologist (or should that be the other way around?) Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a masterpiece to finish and a cup of tea to fetch! I still have to figure out what kind of bail I have to put on it, and the necklace I shall eventually hang it on. I tend to make a complete statement piece, not just a pendant or just a necklace - oh no! It has to be a completed statement look for the Caprilicious woman.
If I don't think quickly, and get a result, something else is sure to interrupt me and I'll have to start all over again when I get another free moment.

---

That's me for this week, folks. Have a lovely weekend, weather notwithstanding. I'll catch you next weekend with the finished piece - I still have to figure out a name for it.
Until then
​xx