York Jewellery designer Hannah Weston says producing work that has ‘meaning’ is delivering success as well as a better work-life balance.

The 43-year-old has been making jewellery since stringing beads and making necklaces as a small child, leading to a hobby that ‘got out of control.’

Hannah trained as a teacher and by 2017 had progressed to creating pieces in silver and gold and showing her work on Facebook.

During maternity leave, a colleague suggested she try selling her works, with sales showing this this could lead to something.

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“After maternity leave, I renewed my commitment to my craft, honing my skills and refining my style, alongside my day job.

“I enrolled in weekend classes, joined online mentorship groups and began building a solid local following and customer base on social media.”

Then, in 2020, a series of ‘unhappy events’ led Hannah to change her priorities and leave teaching after 14 years to run Hannah Weston Jewellery full-time, creating and design from a bench in one of the alcoves of her dining room.

(Image: pic supplied)

Hannah aims to create pieces that have meaning.

“I take a story and translate that into heirloom jewellery, to celebrate the stories that knit our lives together and connect us with our family and friends. For me, family sits at the core of everything.””

In the past two years, Hannah has done more commission work, creating bespoke work for clients or taking unworn but sentimental jewellery and transforming it into contemporary ‘everyday’ pieces.

Hannah also runs pop-up jewellery making workshops at a farm just outside York, saying customers love the three hours of ‘me time’, saying they feel like they have had a little holiday when they leave.

(Image: pic supplied)

Such success has led Hanna to work on creating a new studio at her Clifton home and relaunch her website, making it easier for people to use and buy.

Hannah added: “I love the flexibility that comes from the way I work, creating a job I love whilst also being there for my family is so important. The self-employed rollercoaster is real, its hard work, but I’m forever proud of my past self for taking the leap and grateful to my family for encouraging me to be creative as a child and now supporting this (what frequently feels like the most ridiculous) dream of mine. I think my ‘can do’ attitude combined with stubborn determination has stood me in good stead.”

Go to: www.hannahweston.com