In this week’s episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, host Anna Campbell chats with tutor and mentor Laura Jayne of Small Dog Silver about the Foundation in Silver Jewellery course – the perfect starting point for beginners wanting to make beautiful jewellery from home.
Laura-Jayne shares her enthusiasm for mentoring novice makers and watching them develop into self-assured creators. The five-week online Foundation course teaches essential skills like saw piercing, soldering, and stone setting. Together, Anna and Laura Jayne create five stunning finished pieces: two rings, two necklaces, and a pair of earrings.
They also address common concerns about learning jewellery making online, highlighting the high-quality video lessons, step-by-step guidance, and supportive feedback, including a one-to-one call with Laura Jayne herself. In addition, you’ll learn how to set up a home workspace, what tools and materials you need (hint: there is a toolkit for that), and why this course is a game-changer for anyone interested in starting a jewelry career. If you’ve wanted to learn silver jewellery making as a new hobby or career, this episode is packed with encouragement and expert advice.
About Laura Jayne
Laura Jayne is a jeweller and the founder of Small Dog Silver. Laura-Jayne, who works primarily with recycled precious metals and is based in rural Shropshire, places environmental responsibility at the forefront of her work. The use of textures and patina features heavily in Laura Jayne’s jewellery, giving her pieces a whimsical folklore feeling. She is an experienced mentor and tutor for both our Diploma in Silver Jewellery and the Foundation course.