'The Jewellery Workshop' Charming in Every Way

On first impressions I can sum up 'The Jewellery Workshop' in three words. Chocolate. Box. Shop.

Located in a tiny 14th Century timber framed building, in East Grinstead,the Workshop is an absolute delight to look at. With Spring blossom trees outside and a shop sign that gently sways in the wind, the shop would make the ideal cover for any fancy box of chocolates.

And the homely details don't just stop on the outside. Inside,the interiors echo that of a cottage, with low beams, a fireplace and chaise longue the shop is nothing but charming.



The shop is also crammed with treasures, jewellery of all types and designs feature.There are delicate, intricate pieces made from sterling silver, elaborate semi-precious jewels and more quirky, unusual pieces like the colourful bangles made from Scottish resins.

Whilst the main collections have been handpicked from independent designers to fit with the electic personality of the store, other pieces have been hand-crafted by talented in-house designer Tracey-Jane Day.

After growing up in an creative environment and going on to study craftwork and metals at University, Tracey really has the knack of turning a customers idea into a beautiful reality.

'Sometimes the customer will only have a vague idea of what they want, so it's my job to find out about them and get a real sense of their personality.'


All bespoke pieces are drawn painstakingly by hand and too scale

A request for a cat & mouse keyring


Along with matching the piece to it's owner, all design work is done the old-fashioned
way, by hand and too scale, with no aid from computer software.In fact all bespoke pieces are designed in-store, in what director Debby Coghill refers to as the 'den', a tiny workshop in the back of the shop where customers can actually see the design process from start to finish.

Tracey working in the 'den'

As many businesses opt to use technology for their design process, there is a sense that cottage industries such as jewellery design is on its last legs. So it's greatly reassuring that in a small corner of Britain that the tradition of craftsmanship and metal work is being revived and maintained. And for me, this just adds another layer of charm to the already charming 'Jewellery Workshop'.

 http://www.jewellerywshop.co.uk/

Thank you to Debby Joy Coghill for her time and permission.