What Inspired Me to Start Making?

I have always preferred Silver to any other metal, there is something about the clean, fresh sparkle which catches my eye every time! The first piece of jewellery I ever choose for myself was a little silver ring at an outdoor craft market in Cambridge one very hot day.  I must have been around five or six but the delight of the choice and sparkle of the silver have stuck with me ever since.

I find hallmarks fascinating and love finding out when a piece was made and where it was hallmarked by looking at the symbols.  Have a look at my hallmarking info page to find out how to read one.

About W&N

Welcome to Walter and Nancy Jewellery.

Hi, I’m Rosie, maker, buyer, business person and photographer at W&N. Thankfully not the accountant, my husband kindly does that for me.

I was brought up in the stunning countryside of Northern Ireland and now live in the equally stunning countryside of the South of England with my husband, two boys and our rescue Greek Shepherd dog. My happy place is out and about in the fields and hedgerows or tramping through woods.

Why ‘Walter and Nancy’?

They were my grandparents and seemed to my childhood self to be very glamorous. I have many happy childhood memories of spending time with them so it seemed like a great fit for my making passion.

How did I Get Started?

I read an article in Country Living Magazine about a lady who made jewellery and thought, I’d love to do that…

I signed up to a night class at my local college, it was a one evening per week, ten week course and I was hooked.  I did a second 10 week course, a few day classes and the rest is history. I find learning new techniques both inspiring and if I’m honest a little frustrating at times, but I am still loving learning new techniques so it’s not that frustrating.

I have learned so much about myself and my abilities since starting to make jewellery and sometimes I am quite amazed by some of the chances I have taken. The most important thing I have learned it to rest and allow myself time to reset when things get tough.