Meet the Britain's Next Gem 2023 Contestants Part I
Hi jewellery makers!
Britain's Next Gem 2023 has officially kicked off! After having an overwhelming amount of applications, we have narrowed it down to 8 fabulous jewellery makers. We have 2 groups of wonderful jewellery makers making an appearance on your screen over the next 2 weeks! They will be split in to 2 smaller groups so they have enough creative space to get their hands ready for our challanges. This Wednesday, 4 contestants will be taking on the first challange, then next week the second group will do their challange. Only 2 from each group will get through to the next round...
We'd like to introduce you to the first 4 amazing jewellery makers, who will be joining the team on the show on Wednesday 11th October all day!
Carol Vickers
I'm Carol, an operations manager by day and a jewellery maker in my spare time. I work with solid silver, gemstones, antique cutlery, and silver clay and sell my work at craft fairs, online and in art galleries. I like to make jewellery with a purpose; I've launched a collection of fidget jewellery for neurodivergent or anxious people and adjustable rings for folks with arthritis. I also teach jewellery making at evening classes, and I volunteer for my local Repair Café, fixing people's broken jewellery for free. I'm mad about pearls, and this year passed my Cultured Pearls Association of America certificate. I love to take creative inspiration from the nature I see when I'm walking my assistance dog, especially by the sea.
One of my favourite pieces:
Fiona Coley
My name is Fiona and a self-confessed jewellery addict with a passion for jewellery, Frenchies and Peacocks. Anyone who knows me can vouch for my extensive (and still growing) jewellery collection. As much as I love to make jewellery, I love to buy it too. It's a standing joke that we can't decide if I was a Magpie or a jewel thief in a previous life.
I started making jewellery around 2011 and took the leap into full time jewellery making mid-2021. I work from home, in East Yorkshire, with my two Frenchies (Celli and Cleo) and my passion is to create unique pieces of jewellery. I love to create eye catching, imaginative, and colourful jewellery. I enjoy using a combination of genuine gemstones, wire work, seed beading and polymer clay. My creations are very wearable and inspired by a lifelong love of jewellery and the techniques I use highlight the colours and textures of the materials in each piece, drawing the eye to the genuine gemstones.
When I'm not busy making jewellery, my husband and I love learning Ballroom and Latin dancing (and watching dancing), we love going to watch live music and I'm a huge fan of MotoGP, and have a penchant for a good game of Rugby Union.
One of my favourite pieces:
Ailsa Wood
Hi my name is Ailsa and my specialism is in contemporary silver jewellery. I first started making jewellery when I met a fellow jewellery maker who designed jewellery for a shop and thought I'd like to give it a try. I then did a one day course, which was learning how to make a silver ring, I then found JM and was hooked! I have been making jewellery for 10 years now.
One of my favourite pieces:
Ellie Hawkins
Hi I’m Ellie and I love to create beautiful crystal jewellery from ethically sourced gemstones. Since discovering jewellery maker, (almost ten years ago now!) my love of wire wrapping really took shape and I learned to love jewellery making even more. There’s something about wire wrapping that soothes my soul, counting each wrap and concentrating on the designs I create has proved very therapeutic and really helped me to flourish, not only with my making but in my personal life too. Like a magpie I’m drawn to all things beautiful and sparkly and making jewellery is a full time job for me.
One of my favourite pieces:
We hope you'll be tuning in to see the lovely people above, don't forget to text in to show your support! Keep an eye on the blog next Tuesday, as we introduce you to the next group of fab contestants!
-JewelleryMaker
