Winter Showcase – An Interview with Guest Designer Belle Smith

We hope you have had the opportunity to visit our Winter Showcase this year, if not there is still a bit of time left before it ends  next week. Our guest designers have kindly answered a few questions for us, sharing some of their inspirations, their workspace and what their average day to day running a jewellery business looks like. We love working with guest designers and it has been a joy having Belle’s beautiful work on display.

So grab a cup of tea, get cosy on the sofa, and have a read of our behind the scenes interview with jeweller Belle Smith.

My name is Belle and I have my own handcrafted fine jewellery company. Being a one woman show, I design and make all my pieces individually, in my beautiful home workshop in Leeds. With 10 years experience in the trade, my jewellery breaks the norm of tradition with a contemporary, one of a kind feel. I have recently launched a new collection of jewellery that is cast in silver and gold, celebrating the beauty of repetitive patterns within nature. I also specialise in bridal and wedding jewellery for customers looking for that special, unique piece to be cherished and last a lifetime.

When I was growing up I’d go around my family and friends with a sketchbook asking them to request a piece of jewellery they’d like 11 year old me to draw and design for them. Fast forward 8 years and I’m studying Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martin’s, London. Since then I’ve worked almost 10 years in the trade, working for Hatton Garden based jewellers, learning and refining my skills.

This summer I decided to leave London and move to Leeds, as well as go full time with my business after working part time for years. I now finally have my very own dream home workshop space. ⁠ It’s fair to say that I’m loving it so far, as scary and nerve wracking as working from home is for me. I have fallen in love with making and creating all over again, as I am able to fully immerse myself in my passion, for what has felt like the first time ever.
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Being able to make pieces customers’s cherish is the best feeling in the world. The thought of a Belle Smith jewel being passed down through generations is a truly amazing thing. Bringing people together and telling a customer’s story through a one of kind piece is so special.

As a small business owner I have many hats to wear. I’m a social media manager, designer, maker, market seller, website builder, product photographer etc the list goes on. I’d say a good routine is how I keep a good balance, and I learn something new every day so it keeps it fun! I usually split my week up into admin and making days… and a decent break every once and a while helps a lot too!