The Christmas Gift That Started My Jewellery Journey

In December 2021, my husband gave me a university student jewellery starter kit for Christmas. At the time, neither of us realised that it would eventually lead to Avila Jewellery Designs.

I had often wondered how jewellery was actually made, and having all those tools in front of me made me want to find out. I started researching how to make jewellery in silver and gold, watching YouTube tutorials and reading everything I could find. Somewhere along the way I discovered Jewellers Academy and started experimenting with silver. I very quickly caught the bug.

Early the following year, I read about the Silver Jewellery Diploma starting in September 2022 and, of course, signed up. What began with that first course has turned into several years of learning, experimenting and developing my skills - something I'm still very much doing now.

Along the way, I also developed a bit of an obsession with jewellery tools (and gemstones, but that’s a story for another day). My collection has grown considerably since that first toolbox and whenever my husband comments on yet another new tool appearing in my studio, I am quick to remind him that technically this is all his fault.

And that brings me to Avila. Today I have a studio full of tools, I'm working towards my fifth jewellery diploma, and somewhere along the way an idea for a jewellery business became something real. Avila Jewellery Designs was born in Venezuela and takes its name from the Ávila mountain range that I see from my home in Caracas.

I'm still learning, experimenting and developing my own style, and Avila is developing alongside me. I thought this Journal would be a good place to share that journey - what I'm learning, what I'm making and where it all goes next.

Alison x