Did you always want to be a jeweller?

No, I wanted to be an artist - and I suppose I am - just not in the paint and canvas way I had imagined.

Why did you choose silver?

It's cheaper than gold! That might sound flippant, but it's true. I wanted to create beautiful jewellery that people could wear every day without it costing a fortune. Silver is incredibly versatile and, in my opinion, doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

Tea or coffee while you're working?

Definitely coffee.

What's your favourite part of making a piece?

Oooh, that's a tough one! I enjoy the whole making process, but I love seeing a piece after the final soldering. It comes out of the pickle (a cleaning solution jewellers use after soldering) with this soft, chalky white finish before it's polished. It's the moment everything suddenly starts looking like jewellery.

What's always on your workbench?

My saw, digital calipers and my dividers.

What's the oldest tool you own?

I have several that my Dad has given me over the last few years - I'm not sure which is the oldest. They are a pair of pliers, the dividers I mentioned and a tool that is used for twisting wire. They're not the fanciest tools in my workshop, but they're definitely the most special.

What job do you secretly love that most people would hate?

 Filing - it's something I find quite therapeutic. I know a lot of people hate it but they say it's good for the soul!

What's always playing in your workshop?

It depends on my mood - and what I'm doing. If it's a nice day, I tend to like it quieter so I can hear the birds singing. Or I might play sounds of sea waves as I long to be near the ocean. If there's much noise from hammering, polishing, etc I'll put some music on and it's usually all my music on my likes list on Amazon music on shuffle. So it really can be anything from Mozart to Iron Maiden and everything in between. A friend once described my playlist as "a total car crash"... I took it as a compliment!

Can someone come to you with just an idea?

Absolutely! I love working with someone to create a bespoke piece. I usually talk to them and then send sketches of their ideas to make sure we are on the same wavelength, followed by different options. We build the design together until it feels exactly right.

What's the first thing you notice when you look at jewellery?

I mentally break down how the piece might have been put together and how I might tackle such an item if I were to make it from scratch.

Have you ever made a mistake?

Yes! Plenty. And I hope I never stop making the occasional mistake because that's how I learn. In fact I learn far more when something goes wrong than I do when something turns out perfectly.

What's the most rewarding commission you've worked on?

There are several that spring to mind but the really personal ones that are in memory of loved ones are the most rewarding. I won't share any in detail as I like to respect peoples privacy but handwriting, drawings, special messages and fingerprints are always super rewarding. Helping someone turn memories into something they can wear every day is incredibly special.

How do you know when a piece is finished?

When I can't think of anything that would genuinely make it better rather than simply make it different.

What's the messiest part of making jewellery?

Polishing - jewellers rouge seems to get everywhere!

What do you do when you're not making jewellery?

I spend time with my family, I love travelling, gardening, walking and reading. I also crochet and do a bit of pottery.

What's something people are always surprised to learn about you?

That I used to train in Taekwon-Do and reached 3rd degree black belt.

What's one thing customers don't realise about handmade jewellery?

Probably hallmarking. Lots of people think a "925" stamp means something is sterling silver, but on its own it isn't a hallmark. An official UK hallmark tells you the precious metal has been independently tested and verified. It's one of the easiest ways to know you're buying genuine precious metal jewellery.

I've written more about hallmarks elsewhere on the website because it's something I think every jewellery buyer should understand.

Is there a design you've made more times than any other?

I have a few, my guitar pick necklaces and also the what3words range. I think people love them because they are so personal and tell a story.

What's your favourite gemstone to work with?

Peridot. I love that fresh green colour. In fact, if you looked in my wardrobe, you'd probably notice I have rather a lot of clothes in exactly the same shade!

If you could make jewellery for anyone, living or from history, who would it be?

Can I choose a fictional character instead? Lady Grantham from Downton Abbey! I love that period - the dresses, the way things were done, the decor - and of course the jewellery!

If it has to be a real person, someone like James Martin - I think he'd look rather good in one of my guitar pick pendants - and he plays guitar too!

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone choosing jewellery they'll wear for years?

Never wear it in the sea, a swimming pool or hot tub... you'll thank me later!

Chlorine and salt water can cause sterling silver to tarnish much more quickly, so it's always best to take it off first. A little care goes a long way if you want your jewellery to stay beautiful for years to come.

What do you hope people feel when they open a Silver Realm box?

I hope they feel they have something truly unique and meaningful to them. Something that tells their story.

What's the first thing you do when you arrive at the workshop each morning?

I switch all the lights on and do a quick tidy around as I've usually left loads of stuff out the day before. Then I mentally plan what order I'm going to tackle my jobs for the day. Then I'll pop some music on and grab a coffee and get to work.

What's inspiring you right now?

Interesting gemstones. Things like Poppy Jasper, Bumblebee Jasper and Fossil Jasper. They're all so different, each one like a tiny painting created by nature. I love taking something from the colours or patterns within the stone and weaving it into the design itself.

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Have a question I haven't answered?

I'd love to hear from you.

Whether you have an idea for a bespoke piece, would like some advice, or you're simply curious about how something is made, just get in touch. Every message comes directly to me, and I'll always reply personally.

Let's start a conversation.