From Our Creatives

Coming Soon!!!! Introducing eco 925 sterling silver, recycling & new ranges


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About Uspoke artisan jewellery

Hi I’m Karen

I have spent many years looking after others, working with special needs children, and then part time for the British Red Cross, where I was privillaged to be invited to a Royal Garden Party, a day that was sunny, posh, different and fun too, I went in heels but took my flip flaps, and yes I wore my flip flaps on the queens lawn 🤗🤪. While I was working at school I had a major car accident damaging my back and had to see a chiropractor for 2 years to sort my fused spine and damaged tissue, this sent me into a huge depression and I physically and mentally struggled to cope with everyday life as it was, this was the hardest and most difficult time in my life , one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.  I continued in school but due to my difficulties I resigned and finally found a job working part time for the British Red Cross. In the mean time I had a hobby ‘making jewellery’, over the years my hobby has grown and still growing!  Instead of buying loads of components, I now make my own, I have and am still working on silversmith techniques but due to the huge costs of equipment can only do so much, I have also attended a course for kiln fired enamelling, another string to my bow although I do still buy in some enamelled pieces.  I am self taught in woven jewellery too whether it’s in hemp, cork or leather cords!  I do have a bit of an eco conscience, although jewellery is a hard area to create ‘eco friendly’ so I am creating a bit of both currently using recycled sterling silver, hemp cork and also constructing each box myself of recycled/recyclable material.  Lockdown enabled me to create enough items for my shop which I opened first on Etsy surprisingly, as many will know I’m no good at techy stuff and still learning loads in that area too.  I came across Local Art &Craft offering a free opportunity to open a shop, wow I though, no fees, I get paid directly too, bit of a no brainier really!  Well it took me 2 weeks to set up a shop due my insufficiency on technology and postage was  mind blowing but Tom sorted that for me!  I still don’t know how to sort postage but I’m sure I will ‘one day’.  I took early retirement from The British Red Cross an we moved to Mablethorpe on the Lincs coast for 3 years, I loved it there although I missed seeing my children and 8 grandchildren so we decided to move back to Grantham and ironically I still can’t see my daughters 5 children as there are 7 in their family but I do see my sons!! COVID has brought many complexities and challenges to all of us, to cope with that my jewellery has been my motivation to do something for me!  Something I enjoy that will hopefully pay for itself and my craft will inspire and be worn by others!! I never would have thought that at 60 I would be working again but in my own business, meeting likeminded crafters and new friends along the way!  I amaze myself!!!