Spotlight: Jewellery from This Story
When I tell you I am obsessed with This Story - I can only hope you understand the fervour with which I mean that. I have been following her work for some time now and her jewellery only seems to get dreamier. And what makes it even sweeter is that the story behind This Story (meta) is just as inspiring as her work. It’s with great joy that I introduce you to Anna with our first ever Everyday Spotlight - a series in which we will be highlighting some of the best small businesses around.
Tell us a bit about yourself! How did This Story start? What were you doing before?
I’m Anna, a jeweller based in Margate. I’ve been making jewellery for around 7 years and started This Story just over three years ago. I was making jewellery as a side hobby before I decided to turn it into a business. I was living in Sydney, working in retail as a National Visual Merchandiser, and wanted a creative outlet in my spare time, so I decided to learn how to make jewellery. It was shortly after I bought my first custom ring from a jeweller that I loved. The experience was so wonderful, and I always struggled to find meaningful jewellery that resonated with me, so I decided to learn how to make it myself. I moved back to the UK and This Story was born.
How did you decide on the name ‘This Story’?
I’ve always been infatuated with the way jewellery can transport us back to a time and place or remind us of someone. I have such vivid memories of rummaging through my mum’s jewellery box as a child and being so fascinated with the stories behind each piece. I really believe jewellery has a story to be told and can carry an energy or hold a feeling. This Story implies the beginning of a tale. That’s how I feel when I send out my treasures to their new homes.
How did you learn to create jewellery?
When I decided that I wanted to make jewellery I started by watching hours and hours of jewellery making videos on YouTube. You can learn how to do so many things on YouTube - it’s such a great resource. Once I felt like I knew the basics I then researched tools I would need to get started. I bought an old table, soldering equipment, some pliers, a saw and silver sheet. Any spare time that I had would be spent sitting at my little makeshift bench creating things. I made so many mistakes before I managed to solder my first wearable ring, but I was hooked and never gave up. Once I nailed one thing, I’d move onto another skill - like setting stones and polishing. When I moved back to the UK I took a short course in Lost Wax Casting and since then it’s been my main jewellery making method. It’s a beautiful, ancient method and it allows me to create so many different things.
What inspires your jewellery?
Usually anything that I’m inspired by at the time. My first collection ‘Self-Love’ came at a time I was exploring my own feminism. The collection was built up of signets and pendants that would say things like ‘self-care’, and ‘I love me’ on them. I wanted to create a collection that became a daily reminder to love yourself and put yourself, because we live in a world that profits off insecurity.
Recently, I’ve been on a nostalgic path exploring things that felt magical as a kid. My latest collection ‘Wonderland’ has whimsical inspired treasures like four leaf clovers and happy flowers. Jewellery has always felt so magical to me, and I want to create pieces that people can connect with and feel lucky wearing. I’m inspired by the stories I think they will hold for others, but ultimately they’re always born from a personal experience at the time.
If you could go back in time to when you started This Story, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
That it’s not going to happen overnight! My ego really thought it would haha! When I started my business after moving back to the UK, I was determined not to fall back into my old career and get a full-time job. I’m the sort of person that throws myself into what ever is most important at the time, and I knew that if I got back into my old career I wouldn’t focus on This Story, so I got a part-time job walking dogs. I had moved to London, so it was unbelievably hard financially and I cried most evenings about how hard it was. I’m so stubborn though so I continued! Now looking back, I wish I had relieved myself of the financial pressure I had put on myself. I would have been able to invest so much more into my business and it probably would have grown quicker if I had. Good things take time.
What’s your all time favourite piece of jewellery that you’ve made and why?
I’ve made so many pieces that I love and that I’m proud of, but I think it would have to be Selene. I made Selene during a personal time of turmoil and upheaval. I wanted to make a piece of jewellery that felt soothing. Her sleepy face is the perfect reminder to find peace when things feel chaotic. The moon has also always made me feel calm and I love that if you’re having a hard day the moon reminds us that it’s time for rest and a new day is coming. She was a piece I made for myself, but since putting her out into the world I’ve received so many wonderful messages about how calming people find her. I’m really proud that I’ve created something that makes people feel like that.
What’s been your proudest moment of running This Story?
The day I gave up my part-time job and became a full-time jeweller. It was a dream come true and it still feels wild that I pay my bills and live from doing something that makes me so happy. I nearly gave up so many times, but I loved it too much to quit. Giving up my safety net was so scary but equally a really exciting time. I was proud of hitting 10k followers on Instagram too. I didn’t think I’d care as much as I did (and it honestly doesn’t define your business at all) but I couldn’t quite believe that 10 thousand people follow what I do. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful, supportive community online. I’ve made some important friendships from my business.
What’s the most challenging thing about running your business?
Making all the decisions yourself. It’s so hard to know what’s going to work and what isn’t sometimes, so it’s constantly about taking risks, which can feel scary, uncomfortable and anxiety inducing. Luckily, I have a friend who is my sounding board and helps me so much, but ultimately everything comes down to me.
Who are your favourite other small businesses that you recommend we follow RIGHT NOW?
Oh gosh that’s such a hard one because they’re so many that I love!
Salome Papadopoullos (@salomepapadopoullos) - she’s an incredible artist and friend and is such an inspiration to me. Her art is mesmerising, and I just want to fill my home with it all!
I’m obsessed with Leo Flowers (@leo__flowers) Jessie makes the most amazing paper flowers I’ve ever seen!
Als Palace (@als__palace) for the best tufted mirrors that I dream of owning one day
Millie Amber (@millie_amber) I’m obsessed with EVERYTHING Millie creates. Everything is so dreamy and romantic
I would also recommend checking out A South London Makers Market who are run by Daisy and Liv. They curate incredible markets and I come across so many amazing small businesses from them
Where would you like to see This Story in 5 years
I’m really focused on getting to the point where I can hire a small team to help me run This Story. I miss working in a team so much. I also love to share my knowledge, so that would be lovely! Maybe have a little shop too. The ex-visual merchandiser in me wants to design my own shop one day. And I want to keep growing my skills and making jewels that resonate with people and hold stories. The best thing about being a jeweller is that there are sooo many new skills to learn so I don’t think I’ll ever get bored!
