Alison Tarry

Company: Howe Original!

Speciality: Speciality is wire work, probably my favourite thing is experimenting to create something different in any medium.

Town/City: A little village on the moors nr Mold, Flintshire

What's your day job? I am a Performance Officer for a programme called Flying Start that works with 0-4 year olds in deprived areas.

What is your favourite JM moment? My first appearance with Vicki doing the Doris bird named for her Nana has a special place in my heart but I have had lots of great moments and hopefully many more to come.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? My crafting background goes back as far as I can remember, my mother is a crafter and my sister and I were encouraged to make things and be creative as children and I just never stopped. I tend to use things learnt in other crafts in my jewellery making eg making paper beads or using resin. The wirework is relatively new starting a few weeks after Jewellery Maker really.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach wirework prong setting, shaped wire and ear jewellery workshops but am hoping to expand this in the future.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? Anything could inspire me. As a photographer, I am used to being very observant and so find all sorts of things that inspire me. I love watching and talking to other crafters too, there is such a wealth of talent that is an undervalued resource and I hope it will gather strength again.

What is your favourite colour? Black, brown, earthy tones.

What is your favourite gemstone? Tough question, love anything with an optical property but also beer quartz and pearls, blue topaz, oh no please don't make me choose.

Claire Macdonald

Speciality: I love beading and wire techniques and working with gemstones to create different textures in my work. I would probably class myself as an ‘all rounder’ as I enjoy learning new skills all the time and introducing them in to my jewellery making.

Town/City: Birmingham

What's your day job? Technical Gas Engineer and Jewellery Maker

What is your favourite JM moment? My daughter Lola gave presenter Ali a Care Bear with an accompanying note as she felt sorry for Ali that she has never had one. Ali thanked her on air and showed her note to the camera. Lola was over the moon and it made her year.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? Since childhood, I have pursued my interest in design and creation. I made little polymer clay figures and simple jewellery when very young. I progressed to ceramics and wire work at school. At university I achieved a First Class Honours degree in Ceramics & Glass. I then went on to work in a gallery and bronze foundry in Birmimgham’s Jewellery Quarter. Throughout this time, my love of jewellery, the design and making persisted.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach Wirework Floral Wire and Feather Memory Locket workshops.

What is your favourite colour? Pink.

What is your favourite gemstone? Labradorite, Amethyst, Rainbow Moonstone, too many!

Deb Rudge

Company: Iolite Green Design

Speciality: It depends what time of day it is and what mood I’m in, but I love sheet metal work, macramé, wirework, polymer clay and making pieces which have strong design elements.

Town/City: A town or city would be nice, but I live down a dirt track in the woods in Shropshire. If I had to chose a town or city, I’d love to live in Barcelona, Milan or New York.

What's your day job? I’m now a full time artist and jewellery designer, and mum to Jake.

What is your favourite JM moment? I think it would have to be when I was on air with Becky and she gave me my challenge for the show, but we were already more than half way through the 4 hours. I said ‘well, I’d best get making then’ and everybody in the studio started laughing because they thought I’d said ‘I’d best get naked” I must learn to speak more clearly!!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I started making jewellery when I was about 10 or 11 years old, making from plastic beads, fabric and whatever else I could find. By the time I’d finished my degree in silversmithing and jewellery design I had made pieces in silver, steel and platinum as well as rubber and Perspex.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? Outside JM I have taught all sorts of things from interior paint techniques and greeting card design in the 1990’s to painting and jewellery making. I currently run macramé and manipulating metal workshops at my studio in Shropshire.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I’m inspired by anything and everything, something and nothing! It could be amazing combinations of pattern or colours, tree bark, graffiti on a wall, moss on a wall in the winter covered in ice, architecture, clever design or a random piece of metal I’ve found in the street. My brain likes to make connections between things, which may actually have no real connection and I’m constantly entertained by that.

What is your favourite colour? That’s a really difficult question because it depends what time of year it is or how the light reacts with a colour, but I think Its probably a soft green-ish grey like a moss or lichen on an oak tree.

What is your favourite gemstone? That’s easy… it has to be emerald.

Fleur Hastings

Company: Rocks n Chains

Speciality: Chain maille historical pieces

Town/City: Balsall Common near Solihull

What's your day job? Accounts Assistant/Dressage trainer

What is your favourite JM moment? When I got my first message to the studio from a customer saying they were going to give chain maille a go after thinking it was too difficult and realising it isn't as hard as what they thought

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have made jewellery since a child and I started selling my items when people commented on how much they liked my pieces and commissioned me to make something for them. I started Rocks n Chains 4 years ago mainly doing chain maille but I also make memory pieces using animal hair and resin. I also make pieces for people in re enactment groups and where possible I make them as historical as possible.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach various Chain Maille workshops as well as Pearl Knotting and a Feather Memory Locket Workshop for JM and have taught Chain Maille on a one to one basis outside of JM too.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I am inspired by history and love to look at what jewellery was worn through the ages and what gemstones they chose and the reason behind the piece. I am also heavily inspired my myth and legend of gemstones and love the stories behind the gemstone. As for designers I admire; I love the work of a gentleman called Scott David Plumlee, he is a chain maille artist who creates the most stunning pieces using historical references.

What is your favourite colour? Red

What is your favourite gemstone? Labradorite and Moonstone

Gemma Crow

Company: Gemma Crow Jewellery and Tiaras

Speciality: I love making anything big or bold, so Fascinators, masks, bouquets or anything that makes a statement really!

Town/City: Gloucester

What's your day job? I am a full time Jewellery Designer/Teacher

What is your favourite JM moment? I have so many! But my favourite has to be when Lucy and I couldn't stop laughing during a felt show, I am sure many people will remember why!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been making jewellery for almost 5 years but professionally for 3 years after deciding to turn a hobby into a career, part time at first but now full time.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I run various workshops including 1-1 specialist sessions, 10 week beginner’s jewellery courses and wire work day workshops. I also run hen party jewellery making sessions, which are great fun and even children’s birthday parties (but I am not sure you can call that teaching, more air traffic control!!) For JM I teach a Copper Metal Creations workshop.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? Figurative art has always been my passion, so for me its form and shape that I find most inspiring. I love creating pieces that echo their environment, and I most enjoy working to themes. I am also very, very fortunate to work with some extremely talented designers that inspire me and keep me hungry to learn new skills.

What is your favourite colour? It sounds boring but it has to be Black; it can blend, hide, enhance, echo, or contradict, its so versatile and allows everything else to shine! An unsung hero!

What is your favourite gemstone? I love Labradorite but a close second is apatite, the darker an more included the better!

Hannah Osborne

Speciality: I love making bold colourful statement pieces of jewellery, and enjoy mixing various techniques such as Macramé, Wirework, and Kumihimo with traditional beading.

Town/City: Warwick.

What's your day job? Project Coordinator for JM.

What is your favourite JM moment? I think its hard to single out an individual event but I love the themed shows we do, and the mad moments like a conga through the studio!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? As long as I can remember! It's a life long passion for me.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach an Introduction to Design and Colour workshop and various seed bead workshops such as the cellini spiral, and I am the 'hands behind some of the How To demos' on the JM website

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? When creating jewellery I take inspiration from all sorts of things including nature, fashion and art in general. I'm a believer in positive energies and colour theory and love the way a beautiful gemstone or an item of clothing in an appealing colour can physically lift your mood.

What is your favourite colour? This has always been a difficult question to answer as I have many favourites but currently I'd have to say Purple, Teal and Red.

What is your favourite gemstone? Again having to choose just one is hard but a few of my favourites are Diamond, Tanzanite, and Turquoise.

Hayley Kruger

Company: Hayley Kruger

Speciality: Working mostly with precious metals and stone-setting.

Town/City: London

What's your day job? Jewellery designer, tutor and mentor

What is your favourite JM moment? Just generally having a laugh on air with the lovely and very funny presenters.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been involved in the jewellery industry for 17 years, although I have always dabbled. I have done a degree in the art form, designed for many high street retailers, run my own business and been a jewellery teacher. I’m now working on more fine jewellery styles, so my experience is quite varied, and yet I am still very passionate about making jewellery!

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? My roots in jewellery making are in silversmithing, so I teach both beginners’ classes right through to advanced stone setting techniques.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? Any person doing their own thing in the creative industry. We are all so passionate about it and it is that very passion that makes it so personal and challenging at times.

What is your favourite colour? Fuchsia

What is your favourite gemstone? Tourmaline and Tanzanite (I can’t pick one…even picking two was tough!)

Janet Dwyer

Company: Janet Dwyer Jewellery Design

Speciality: Wire is my passion but I also love working with silver clay, polymer clay and jewel enamel and I always enjoy exploring new mediums. Usually the first item I make when I receive new gemstones is a ring as these are my favourite things to make.

Town/City: Near Builth Wells, Powys.

What's your day job? I am lucky to be a full time jewellery designer/maker.

What is your favourite JM moment? There are far too many to pick just one.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been making jewellery for over 10 years and completely self-taught. I just wish JM had been around back then and my jewellery making journey would have been a lot easier!

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I do not teach any courses at the moment but my time at JM has taught me that I really enjoy teaching so this is something I am keen to explore.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I get inspired by people, places, objects, buildings, just about anything really. I am constantly looking at things and mentally turning them into pieces of jewellery and I always carry my pen and note book to jot down ideas, I also have a pen and notebook by my bed as I often wake up in the middle of the night with ideas.

What is your favourite colour? Purple.

What is your favourite gemstone? Amethyst…closely followed by Pearls.

Katie Parker

Company: Katie Parker Jewellery

Speciality: Wirework.

Town/City: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

What's your day job? Jewellery Designer and Mum to my 2 Children.

What is your favourite JM moment? My favourite JM moment is watching Zena and Mark together on any show, they make a great team and make me laugh so much!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been making jewellery for just over 2 years now. I started making jewellery through finding Jewellery Maker. I have learnt many of my techniques from our talented guest designers. I like to mix mediums and try to put my own twist on classic styles.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I have taught small local groups basic jewellery making but would love the be able to teach more in-depth courses.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I’m inspired by many different types of jewellery from all different eras. I’ve loved reading books about jewellery design over the years, but a lot of the time I take inspiration from nature and my surroundings.

What is your favourite colour? Green

What is your favourite gemstone? Labradorite.

Katie Reid

Company: PoppyKCrafts

Speciality: Wirework, Steampunk and Upcycling anything I can get my hands on!

Town/City: Stourport On Severn, Worcester.

What's your day job? I work for a supermarket clothing line.

What is your favourite JM moment? Being welcomed into such a great jewellery making family.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been making jewellery now for about 4 years. I was roped in by my sister to help with a school fete and it all started from there. I have been creative all my life. Making cards, cross stich, painting and altering thrift shop buys.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I currently do not teach at the moment. But hope to do so in the future.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I am inspired a lot by my surroundings and my mood. I love Vivienne Westwood and her quirky designs. I like to standout and make a statement. Clothing and jewellery are like the paint on a plain canvas. They help tell a story about a person and I love that.

What is your favourite colour? Earthy tones and neutral tones.

What is your favourite gemstone? Labradorite and London Blue Topaz.

Laura Binding

Company: You Nique You Jewellery

Speciality: Wirework Pendants.

Town/City: Bristol

What's your day job? I run my own Jewellery Business, YouNiqueYou Jewellery, as well as freelance Jewellery Designing and Teaching and of course being a mum!

What is your favourite JM moment? I have had many favourite moments with JM, but for me it has to be when you get a fit of the giggles and you are trying to get your composure back when everyone else is laughing too, stand out moments include trying to demonstrate the looping pliers and failing big time and Becky sending labradorite all over the desk, including in her coffee! oh and i will never forget Jazz hands Gary with Vicki!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? About 8 years now, but it has only really been in the last 4 years that i have really been able to focus fully on wirework.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach a few courses for JM, including Intermediate Wirework, Weaving Wire, VikingKnit, Catch a cabochon and High End Jewellery

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I am often inspired by everyday things, objects and nature itself, I often see shapes and ideas from simple things such as gates with filigree designs, trees, flowers etc and then note how the components can then form a piece of jewellery.

What is your favourite colour? I love all the earthy colours, the muted greens and blues but my favourite colour is teal.

What is your favourite gemstone? Lemon quartz, there is something so magical about it.

Linda Brumwell

Speciality: I enjoy making anything with genuine gemstones, particularly dramatic, multi strand designs with as many different gemstones as I can possibly use. However, I am now really enjoying working with soutache and am trying to expand my portfolio of designs, many of which have been published in craft magazines.

Town/City: I absolutely adore France so must say that my favourite city is Paris. I utterly celebrate the way the French people love life. French food to my mind is the best in the world from snacking to high-end dining, simply wonderful and their wine, well say no more!

What's your day job? My husband and I have our own Wines and Spirit wholesale company which we have been running now for over 30 years. However JM is now taking over and fast becoming my ‘day job’.

What is your favourite JM moment? There have been so, so many. I particulary enjoyed being the ‘Mona Linda’ last year on a show that was themed around the art world. It was hysterical. I managed to find a full size framed Mona Lisa (not the real one, I wish) and put my face, complete with a long black wig, through a head sized hole. Brilliant.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have always been involved in some form of crafting and decided to take up jewellery making about 8 years ago and have never looked back.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach Introduction to Jewellery Making and New to Jewellery Making workshops. I am also in cahoots with ‘upstairs’ to find new exciting courses to run.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I have always been fascinated by the 19th Century French Impressionist movement. I studied the subject for 2 years and became entranced by their use of colour and freedom of painting techniques. They are such a diverse bunch, so very different yet so intriguing. I love the thought of being able to take a blank canvas and produce such beauty. This is my inspiration for my jewellery making, perhaps one day, I can but dream.

What is your favourite colour? Red

What is your favourite gemstone? This is a difficult one to answer as. To be honest, I love them all. If I really have to answer that one completely truthfully then it is diamond. However my favourite coloured gemstone would have to be Citrine.

Mark Smith

Company: Orbital Designs

Speciality: I enjoy all styles of jewellery design but I seem to have found my niche with Macramé and working with Gemstone chips and nuggets. I love the intricacy of tiny stones being used to make substantial pieces of jewellery.

Town/City: I live in the market town of Witney which is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds.

What's your day job? Jewellerymaking is currently my ‘day job’ with Jewellerymaker shows and workshops taking up most of my time. I am constantly on the road attending craft fairs and holding jewellery parties to make a bit of pocket money to buy more gemstones to feed my addiction!

What is your favourite JM moment? My favourite JM moment has to be Carol’s final show in 2013 before leaving us for her maternity leave. Our ‘Kylie and Jason’ themed show was so much fun. Carol had so many viewers contacting the show to wish her luck. It was all very humbling. The singing, outfits and those wigs…. well!!!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have always been involved in arts and crafts in one form or another for as long as I can remember. I had my first dabble in the world of jewellery-making about ten years ago using glass beads, but since discovering JM about three years ago my hobby has now turned into my work. I am very lucky and get more passionate about JM and the crew every day.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? At JM Towers I am currently running Chips and Nuggets wire fusion, Macramé for beginners and wire Macramé workshops and a two day Macramé and more experience I love holding the workshops as it gives me the opportunity to meet our amazing viewers face to face and see their amazing jewellery produced at the end of a busy day.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I have been inspired by the work of many people over the years, from the amazing craftsmanship of Tiffany and Faberge, to the imagination of Moorcroft and Morris and their use of colour. I have a special place in my heart for the era of Art Deco and Nouveau. I am also a huge fan of the Romantic period of the Pre-Raphaelite artists such as John William Waterhouse. I also get a lot of inspiration from the plants growing in my own garden.

What is your favourite colour? My favourite colour is red closely followed by green with all of its variations.

What is your favourite gemstone? That’s a tough one…. No can’t do it. I will give you my top 5…. Labradorite, Aquamarine, Fluorite, Rutile Quartz and Amethyst, though every month I am being introduced to new gems, so the list changes frequently!

Nadja Shields

Company: Imbali Crafts

Speciality: Micro macramé of course but I also really enjoy wire work and bead weaving, making simple stretchy bracelets and gemstone jewellery.

Town/City: Edinburgh

What's your day job? I write online tutorials and run workshops in Edinburgh as well as keeping my Etsy shop stocked up with jewellery pieces. I am doing my first craft fair in August. I am also a full time sandwich maker, homework checker and button sewer-oner.

What is your favourite JM moment? I think it has got to be my first day ‘on the job’. Everyone at JM, the crew in the studio and so many of the viewers were so welcoming which really helped to ease the butterflies. Various discussions in the studio such as pregnant sheep, Dave the fly and cake were quite entertaining, too.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been making basic pieces of jewellery since I was a little girl. My mum and my gran were my biggest influence and have taught me different types of crafts. I have been doing macramé for the last 5 years and have recently started wire weaving.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach on various online sites such as Craft Art Edu & Adventure Arts Retreat. I also create PDF and video tutorials for my own website and Etsy shop as well as making the occasional tutorial for youtube My latest venture is micro macramé workshops in Edinburgh for those that live nearby. Teaching macramé is something I really enjoy and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a student enjoy the craft and create their first project.

What is your favourite colour? All colours are beautiful in the right context but I really like gold, silver, black, red, teal and aqua.

What is your favourite gemstone? That is a difficult one. I have a new favourite each time I turn on my tv to watch JM. I love Ethiopian opal, rainbow moonstone, peridot, pearls, sunstone, garnet, labradorite, citrine, Botswana agate... the list goes on. Like with colour each has its place ...especially in my stash.

Rachel Norris

Company: Jewellery Design by Rachel

Speciality: Wirework, but I love making polymer and silver clay pieces and combining them with the wirework elements.

Town/City: Wadebridge, Cornwall, UK

What's your day job? I am a specialist in Vascular Ultrasound at 3 hospitals in the Southwest including Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.

What is your favourite JM moment? There are so many! I think, do you know I can't think of a specific special one as I see so much talent every day from my fellow designers and such friendly happy presenting that each day is as wonderful as the last!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I did a very short evening class in silver smithing about 6 years ago now but stopped to have a baby. JM started while I was on maternity leave and there was no stopping me!I was so lucky that JM started when I had time to start this wonderful new hobby! So I have been making jewellery for about 4 and half years and I have been making wirework jewellery for 4 years.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach a few intemediate and advanced wirework courses. I have taught at the Big Bead Show in Sandown and will teach there again this year. I am starting to run a few more courses and hope to do more when my youngest starts school.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? I am inspired every day the beauty and shapes of natural forms and I bring them into my designs whenever I can. My mother was a botanical artist and also embroidered in solid gold and silver thread in her tapestry work. These influences have been a great source of inspiration for me throughout my life.

What is your favourite colour? Violet and teal shades.

What is your favourite gemstone? Amethyst, Labradorite and Amazonite but I adore working with most gemstones as they provide a wonderful colour palette to work with.

Sheila Davies

Speciality: I do have a passion working with all the elements and styles of jewellery I love trying new designs. My favourite is creating Bridal Jewellery of all era’s.

Town/City: Henley in Arden, Warwickshire

What's your day job? Guest Designer at Jewellery Maker

What is your favourite JM moment? That is difficult I have so many, in the early days when we were doing promo’s, the promo for the X-Factor about 3 years ago I think. We laughed so much it took quite a while to film, and a lot was cut out!

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I have been making jewellery for about 12 years. Having many hobbies though the years. I have used gemstones and accessories with all of my hobbies, cardmaking, wedding stationery, parchment , textiles and of course jewellery which Linda and I used to do for raising money for charities.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach the Bridal Accessories, Bridal Intermediate and Bridal Bouquets workshops at JM.

Who/What else inspires you outside of JM and why? When I went to see Monet’s Gardens a couple of years ago. I was inspired by the gorgeous array of diverse colours. I always say never be afraid to mix your colours which you would normally never mix. You will be amazed at the result.

What is your favourite colour? All the colours of the rainbow (seriously I love the calmness and tranquillity of blue.)

What is your favourite gemstone? My birthstone is Aquamarine and pearls are a close second.

Tracey Spurgin - Tutor

Company: Craftworx

Speciality: Making hinged jewellery, boxes and lockets in Silver Art Clay.

Town/City: I was born and bred in Liverpool, and still love to get back there for a bit of family time as well as getting out to some great shopping. But I live in on the edge of a small village called Walkington in East Yorkshire. A very quite quaint place and I love that too.

What's your day job? Metal Clay Artist, Instructor, Writer, Presenter and Company Director of Craftworx studio.

What is your favourite JM moment? The lovely warm welcome greeting I got form Liz on my first day, I’ll treasure that moment.

Background/How long have you been making jewellery? I’ve been making jewellery for over ten years, and I’ve been a qualified Silver Art Clay instructor since January 2007.

What courses do you teach both for JM and outside and why? I teach the Silver Clay for Beginners, Silver CLay Cocktail Rings, Silver Clay Swing Garden Locket and Siver Clay Impressions Workshops for JM.

What is your favourite colour? It’s hard to pick favourite colour, I love bold strong colour’s, Red, Turquoise, Blue and Green, but I’m not a huge fan of pastels, and I really don’t like Pink.

What is your favourite gemstone? Topaz or Labradorite.