Crafty Rachael

Crafty Rachael My shop features handmade sterling silver wire wrapped earrings, necklaces & bracelets, knitted bow tie accessories and leather wrap jewellery.

Jewellery by Crafty Rachael - A crafty adventure! Although I am trying to forge a career within museums, I am very passionate about home crafts such as jewellery making, knitting and sewing (this is a work in progress!)

From a very young age I have had a slight obsession with beads – most of my money on family holidays would disappear in bead shops. I would then create jewellery for family and fr

iends (or just stash them away in boxes!)

For the past five years I have shared a small crafting business with a friend – selling our handmade goods at various markets and craft fairs in the North East of England. This collection is a new venture for me. I am now branching out, experimenting with new materials such as sterling silver, semi-precious beads and combining different craft forms. As a self-taught jewellery maker I create my pieces by threading, winding and knitting the different materials. The ideas come from a wide variety of sources be it; nature, heritage or travel experiences. All of my work is designed and created in my "Craft Lab" in County Durham, England. Message me to commission an individual piece - I can advice with bead choices, necklace length and colours :).

15/05/2026

Last weekend and in the evenings this week I worked on this 4 claw traditional engagement ring πŸ’. And yes that is a potato πŸ₯”- who knew they could be so useful when making jewellery. The ring and setting are silver and the stone is a clear CZ. I enjoyed making this ring despite the fiddly soldering.

05/05/2026

Term 3, week 1: chain making

I really enjoyed making this chain, despite its little imperfections I will enjoy wearing it once it returns from marking πŸ˜„.

Today I tried out my barrel polisher for the first time. I thought my bracelet was fairly shiny before it went in, but it came out gleaming 😍. The polisher is loud but totally worth it πŸ˜„.

This is everything I made (not including the paperwork or drawings) during Term 2 of my Silver Jewellery Diploma
06/04/2026

This is everything I made (not including the paperwork or drawings) during Term 2 of my Silver Jewellery Diploma

Term 2: Week 9I enjoyed making and wearing these silver and gold stacking rings. Most of them went to plan, apart from t...
03/04/2026

Term 2: Week 9
I enjoyed making and wearing these silver and gold stacking rings. Most of them went to plan, apart from the silver ring with the gold tube setting - I managed to mess up one πŸ˜…, the solder melted a bit and the setting slipped when I tried to solder one side whilst it was on a block (mistake!) The last photo is of the messed up ring πŸ˜…πŸ˜†. I already had to re solder it as it moved a previous time - doh! I’m going to attempt to cut it up and remake it - wish me luck πŸ˜….

Otherwise I would deffo make these again 😁.

Week 7 & 8: this is my little trinket box. It’s not perfect but it’s cute πŸ₯°. It has a little brass and silver cherry blo...
31/03/2026

Week 7 & 8: this is my little trinket box. It’s not perfect but it’s cute πŸ₯°. It has a little brass and silver cherry blossom flower 🌸 on top and frosted sides. The polishing inside is questionable and there are visible joins and annoying a few patches of fire stain remain 😭. But I still like it despite this 😁.

Week 4: Working with waxFor this task we had to set a faceted stone in a ring and make a cabochon setting. Carving wax w...
30/03/2026

Week 4: Working with wax
For this task we had to set a faceted stone in a ring and make a cabochon setting. Carving wax was new to me - I’m not a 100% sure it’s something that I was to pursue, but it was relaxing despite the blue dust! Jewellers use wax to create moulds for jewellery so you can make the same thing multiple times. Usually the stones would be set once the cast pieces are returned.

Hi πŸ‘‹, just to let you know my prices are increasing today and here is whyβ€¦πŸŒŸ Last night I finally got round to working ou...
06/03/2026

Hi πŸ‘‹, just to let you know my prices are increasing today and here is why…

🌟 Last night I finally got round to working out the current cost of my Nest Necklaces. As the price of silver has skyrocketed since 2025 (by roughly 147% 🫠!!!!) I am currently making a loss on these necklaces. Just on the materials alone, and not including Etsy fees, postage, packaging etc. in fact I was probably making
-Β£20 to -Β£30 per order which is really soul destroying.

So in order to make my small business viable I have no choice but to increase my prices on and immediately, as until now I’ve practically been paying you my lovely customers to buy my jewellery - doh!

I am also working on a delivery for jewellery for Leeds and I will be increasing my prices in store and on their website too.

In happier news I’m planning on adding new jewellery sometime soon! Thanks to my diploma I have new skills and new designs floating in my head. If you like anything I have posted recently please feel free to message me and I will see if I can make you something especially for you ☺️.

Collet set ring complete ☺️🀩. It has taken a while, and required a basic and slower drill to set the stone etc, but I’m ...
01/03/2026

Collet set ring complete ☺️🀩. It has taken a while, and required a basic and slower drill to set the stone etc, but I’m pleased with the end result and it fits πŸ˜„. The stone is a purple cubic zirconia πŸ™‚.

Pretty tube set cubic zirconia in a hammered silver ring pendant ☺️. Not part of my diploma, just something I fancied ha...
19/02/2026

Pretty tube set cubic zirconia in a hammered silver ring pendant ☺️. Not part of my diploma, just something I fancied having a go at making, whilst I avoid finishing my collet set ring πŸ˜†πŸ€£.

Recently I was interviewed by  to share my story about being a mum to a 1 year old whilst running a small business and w...
19/02/2026

Recently I was interviewed by to share my story about being a mum to a 1 year old whilst running a small business and working. If you are interested in reading the interview you can find the link in my bio πŸ”—β˜ΊοΈ.

Recently   interviewed me about balancing motherhood and running a creative business (and working too πŸ« πŸ˜†). Have a read i...
18/02/2026

Recently interviewed me about balancing motherhood and running a creative business (and working too πŸ« πŸ˜†). Have a read if you like, it’s part of their campaign πŸ₯°

For our Mothers Who Make series, we’re sharing the stories of women balancing creativity, craft businesses and motherhood – often with very little spare time, but a lot of heart.…

Address

Birkenshaw

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Crafty Rachael posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share