Case studies : Jewellery designer: Kimberley

One of the highpoints of Kimberly's career so far has been making a wedding ring for a close friend. Her reaction when she saw it for the first time and realised she had set diamonds into it made Kimberly realise that it is all worth the hard work.

Kimberley undertook an Art Foundation course before studying a BA in Jewellery.

During my Art Foundation course I enjoyed both textiles and craft-based activities, particularly making items from silver and decided to combine both in the form of jewellery making and designing. That is why my jewellery often has a two dimensional form that gives the appearance of fabric.

I learnt a lot more about design processes than technical skills on my particular BA in Jewellery, but other jewellery degrees can include more making. I had to be proactive about learning the practical skills I needed after leaving my degree. I was lucky that I shared a workshop with some experienced jewellers and a diamond setter and learnt many skills from them. During my degree, I gained experience of working in jewellery retail, in order to get a realistic view of how this industry operates.

At the end of my degree I exhibited at the New Designers Exhibition at the Business Design Centre in London and was presented with the New Designers Goldsmiths Award for Jewellery Design. This exhibition is a great opportunity to showcase your work and meet retailers and wholesalers face to face. You can get a real sense of what could sell and how the prices you would get from wholesalers differs to retailers. I didn’t intend to set up my own business but when I won the award, I sold some of my pieces and received commissions for more work. I realised that it was important to capitalise on this opportunity.

For the first few years I concentrated on getting myself known. I now sell to shops, galleries and individuals. Every six months I produce a new jewellery range but I do have a signature style. I also make bespoke items. I structure my business by having a wholesale trade basis that keeps things running and then supplement this with retail commissions. Some are regular orders and some buy my products only once a year. You have to find the right outlets; your jewellery may not be right in every shop.

There are parts I don't enjoy, like the accounts and tax returns, as I’m not very good with figures. My tip to others wishing to set up as a self-employed jewellery designer is to gain some business start-up skills, while you are still a student. Seek help in writing a business plan; it gives you a focus of where you want to go and sets you achievable goals. For example, in six months' time I want to have appeared in three newspapers, shown my work at one exhibition and picked up two more shops to sell to. You also need to learn how to promote yourself and do your accounts. You have to research all the time, identifying key exhibitions to show work at and key stockists to approach, and keep up to date by going to trade fairs.

Also, hang on in there and have a good support network behind you. It is so easy to give up as it is such hard work. You will also have to put long hours in. Always go that extra mile for someone and they’ll remember you. It's been three years since I started and only now can I say that the business is viable and that I’m starting to make a profit.

In the very near future I hope to have my own studio. I also want to build up my retail side. I’d like to produce high end ranges, using diamonds. Essentially I just want to be known for what I do, make a living and be happy.