We wanted to introduce our team of 4 for those of you new to Honeybourne Jewellery…
I’m Sophie, I started my business straight after graduating from London’s Royal College of Art in 2003 with an MA in silversmithing & jewellery. I was lucky enough to gain a 7 year apprenticeship with Chris Morphy of @theodosiajewellery which ran alongside my 6 years of university training (including a BA Hons). Doing them both at the same time was crucial to my training as a jeweller and artist as, on the one hand I had the freedom to explore my passion for designing and creating, whilst on the other I was learning the skills and trade of jewellery making & silversmithing. Whilst working alongside clients I learnt how to listen and combine their ideas, realising a piece that was unique to them, which is a crucial part of the service that we offer here.
Honeybourne Jewellery started from a tiny workshop hidden inside my parents shed from which I stocked up to 20 shops and galleries around the country, creating a name for myself within the world of contemporary jewellery. In 2007, I expanded the business by opening up a shop in my home town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, at this point I trained my husband Raff to keep up with the demand of our ‘off the peg’ ranges so that I could concentrate more on the bespoke side and the designing of new collections. The business grew and grew so much so that we have now also taken on recent graduate Emily Buckingham as my apprentice. We are now lucky enough to be a ‘destination shop’ where clients come especially to the Island to either stock up on our unique jewellery or make an appointment with myself to have something made for them, whether it be an engagement or wedding band, anniversary gift or just a little something for themselves!. We pride ourselves in offering something for everyone.
Raff joined Honeybourne Jewellery in 2009. He has always had a natural eye for detail and a keen understanding of art and objects. When designing a new collection, it is always his opinion that I seek first as although he can sometimes be my harshest critic, his honesty and eye for knowing what works and what doesn’t, guides me a great deal.
Having taught jewellery making to lots of students over the years, I quickly became aware of Raff’s natural talent for the discipline. His questioning mind and ability to explore beyond the traditional has enabled him to advance well beyond my own skills in certain areas. Raff is now an established enameler in his own right and he makes the majority of our enamel ‘off the peg’ ranges from scratch. He also invented our best selling personalised ‘Rex’s Pieces of Eight’ charms and charm bangles, which have sold in their 1000’s.
Due to the high demand of our bespoke service, I now spend the majority of time working away in my workshop and it is Raff and Emily who joint manage the shop. Both fully trained by myself, Raff and Emily have the experience needed to take orders and their warm and patient demeanours put our clients at ease.
Emily approached us during her university studies nearly 4 years ago and asked to join us for her 12 week uni placement. We fell in love with her almost immediately. She has a lovely nature, she is calm and patient and has already brought a great deal to Honeybourne Jewellery.
Having graduated from Chichester uni with a fine art degree, her approach to jewellery making & design really reflects this. Her work has a beautiful lightness of touch & she has a natural flare & feel for making. Emily helps to maintain the website and mans our online sales, she also writes our newsletters.
Emily makes lots of our ‘off the peg’ ranges for the shop. Her bespoke silver pictures have become something of her speciality and she has lots of ideas for future pieces. Under our wing, we see her role within the business expanding into the making and taking of more complex commissions, such as engagement and wedding rings etc and we are excited to see her grow and develop as a maker.
Raff, Emily and myself love collaborating on micro collections, little ranges that we all have had a hand in designing and making, which bring something entirely new to the shop.
Due to the high demand of our bespoke service, I now spend the majority of time working away in my workshop and it is Raff and Emily who joint manage the shop. Both fully trained by myself, Raff and Emily have the experience needed to take orders and their warm and patient demeanours put our clients at ease.
Having graduated from drama school in 2011, Tallulah has always loved the process of creating. Whilst using these in drama and music she then decided to try out a Jewellery course, having always been fascinated with the skills behind it. Upon finding a new found love for jewellery making, she was asked to help out at Honeybourne Jewellery, firstly in the shop and gradually turning her eye to learn new skills, shadowing Raff as he patiently taught her the process of studs and bangles. Sophie, Emily and Raff have been trusting and nurturing in their approach, always asking for her input, making her feel part of the team. She has loved being able to grow in confidence and get to know the customers over the last few months, taking initiative to help them find the pieces they want and need.
This is our whippet Syd Slim, he’s nearly 2 years old and he can often be found lounging around the workshops. His hobbies include chewing up our branded boxes, sunbathing and nosy window watching.
