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2025 June

5 Mistakes Businesses Make with Their Branding (and How to Fix Them) with Nicola Mcmillan (podcast episode)

In this week’s episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, host Anna Campbell
chats with branding expert Nicola McMillan, founder of NM Create, about the
top five branding mistakes small businesses often make. From being too
broad in your messaging to undervaluing professional design, they break
down exactly what’s going wrong and how to fix it. Nicola shares practical
tips on defining your ideal customer, creating a consistent visual
identity, and building a brand story that resonates. Whether you’re
rebranding or starting fresh, this episode is a must-listen for building a
strong, standout brand.

Cesare Tallone’s Sight-Size Paintings

Cesare Tallone was an Italian painter born on August 11, 1853, in Savona, Italy. After losing his father at a young age, he moved to Alessandria, where he began his artistic training under decorative artist Pietro Sassi, and then he continued his …

Celebrating Alternative Jewellery with Alice from the Museum of Alternative Jewellery (podcast episode)

In this week’s episode of the podcast, host Kim Thomson chats with Alice,
founder of the Museum of Alternative Jewellery, about her love for bold,
playful, and unconventional pieces. From shrink plastic to found objects
and ‘toy jewellery’, they explore how alternative materials can carry deep
meaning and spark creativity.

Tune in to hear how Alice celebrates overlooked styles, why value isn’t
just about precious metals, and how you can find inspiration in the
everyday.

Model Shots: How to Style & Photograph Jewellery That Sells – with Naomi Lake & Elin Horgan (podcast episode)

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, jewellery designer Elin
Horgan chats with creative director and beauty expert Naomi Lake about how
to create stunning jewellery photography – whether you’re DIY-ing it or
working with a pro.

They cover how to plan a shoot, style on a budget, choose the right team,
and capture images that truly sell your work. From mood boards to makeup,
flat lays to editorial shots—this episode is packed with tips to help your
jewellery shine online!

Reflecting on My Dad

I was never sure what my dad did for a living, because I never got to visit his workplace. He was in mechanical engineering jobs that were either highly technical or top secret.Once he mentioned that he was in “high vacuum technology.” To my grade-scho…

Meet the jewellery Diploma graduates

Curious about what it’s really like to take one of our Jewellery Diplomas?

Meet some of our inspiring graduates and hear how the diploma programmes
helped them grow their skills, confidence, and businesses:

Alice Cant completed the Silver Jewellery Diploma in 2022. She now runs her
own studio shop on the Isle of Lewis and employs a team of three.

Kelly Twigg is currently studying the Silver Diploma. With over 50k
Instagram followers, she’s reviewing tools, building a thriving brand, and
has just been approached to write a jewellery book.

Kate Seow is a graduate of both the Fine and Advanced Diplomas. Kate has
exhibited her fine jewellery collection at Goldsmiths North – twice.

Emily Lisbeth. After completing both Fine and Advanced Diplomas, Emily is
now confidently working in gold, pricing her pieces sustainably, and
teaching jewellery workshops.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your jewellery practice
to the next level, this video will show you what’s possible. Learn more
about our Diploma courses and who knows, maybe one day you’ll be one of the
inspiring stories we’re sharing.

Painting a Monkey Skull

The Akin Free Library in Pawling, New York is like a time machine that takes you back to a different way of organizing and presenting knowledge about nature.It’s worth a visit, but it’s only open Saturdays and Sundays 1:00-4:00d, May – October. Ask to …

What Are You Waiting For? Overcoming Fear and Pursuing Your Jewellery Ambitions with Jessica Rose and Anna Campbell (podcast episode)

In this inspiring episode, Jess and Anna talk all things ambition, fear,
and taking bold steps toward your creative future. Together, they dive into
the transformative potential of the Jewellery Diploma programs at Jewellers
Academy, with enrolment closing Friday, 13th June.

What Are Your Jewellery Ambitions? How a Diploma Could Launch Your Career

Have you ever asked yourself where your passion for jewellery could take
you?

Whether it’s opening your own shop, winning prestigious awards or creating
meaningful work as a form of self-expression – ambition comes in many
forms.

At Jewellers Academy, we’ve had the privilege of seeing our graduates turn
their jewellery dreams into reality.

With enrolment for our jewellery diplomas closing on 13th June 2025, now is
the time to consider what your next step could be.

To inspire you, we’re sharing the stories of graduates who have carved
their own unique paths — from launching successful brands to exhibiting in
world-class shows.

5 Reasons to Take a Jewellery Diploma with graduate Jessica Croft

When you’re running a jewellery business, there are moments when the spark
dims. You lose a bit of the magic, the motivation starts to wane, and you
question whether you’re really cut out for this. Sound familiar? You’re not
alone.

Jeweller Jessica Croft knows this feeling well. After years of
self-teaching and building her jewellery business, she hit what she
describes as a “stop gap” where she needed to decide whether to keep going
or get ‘a real job’. That’s when she signed up for a Diploma with Jewellers
Academy and has never looked back. Here are 5 reasons she recommends to
Diploma to anyone ready to grow their jewellery making skills.