My name is Kevin, and I studied HND in Jewellery at Fife College. I started my NQ Level two years ago which influenced my decision to open my own shop. We started working with market stalls where I was creating jewellery on a very basic level. I realised I could not continue doing this, so I was looking to up skill my techniques. I read about the NQ Jewellery course run by Fife College, and it offered all the skills that I wanted to learn which was clear from the course description.
Once I started this course, I found the teaching staff to be so supportive and inspiring which made me want to continue my studies further. Despite various hardships in life, I always had the drive to attend my college course.
We have been operating our business for approximately four years. Starting off from market stalls to having our own property was an ideal move for us and our business. We have been open for three months and have had so much support from the craft community and public.
The course at Fife College has enabled me to express myself and allowed me to be happy with the work that I am producing. With my background being in fine art (painting), I was lacking the knowledge and skills to produce jewellery and work with metal, but now I am proficient at both.
As we come from a traditional craft background, it is very important to us that we support the crafting community and artists within the local area and beyond. We have got 19 artists in the shop and will hopefully have a cabinet dedicated to Fife College Jewellery within the shop. This is to promote the course because it is so worthwhile.
The skills that I have learned at Fife College have given me the confidence to proceed with my business and to own my own shop! Ultimately, if it had not been for studying at Fife College, I would not be sitting here today.
Related Courses
Advanced Certificate: Jewellery
This course is suitable for those with a recognised ability in art and/or design who wish to study a jewellery specialism. It provides you with a strong foundation in the design and manufacture of contemporary jewellery.
This course provides extensive training in jewellery design and manufacturing, featuring design-led projects to develop specialised skills suited to personal interests and industry demands. Participants learn 3D design with software, haptic control, and 3D printing, fostering creativity through practical, traditional techniques.