Why I Became a Self-Taught Goldsmith (And Why I Love My Job)
Most people don’t wake up one day and think, “You know what? I’d love to melt metal and play with sand for a living.”
I did.
And somehow, that turned into Sandcast Jewellery.
How It All Started (Without a Rulebook)
My journey into jewellery making began in 2007. The moment I sat at a jewellery bench, picked up my first set of tools, and started cutting into metal—it just clicked.
It felt a bit magical, to be honest.
That moment sparked something, and it hasn’t gone away since.
I didn’t go to jewellery school. No formal training, no traditional path. I taught myself everything I know—through trial, error, and figuring things out the long way round.
Which, if I’m honest, means I’ve made a lot of questionable pieces along the way.
But learning like that sticks. Every piece I make now comes from actually understanding the process, not just following it.
I’ve Always Been Making Things
This didn’t come out of nowhere.
As a kid, I was always knee-deep in something creative. Hama beads, fimo in the oven, encaustic wax, spray paint, way too much PVA glue… you name it, I probably made a mess with it.
I loved turning simple materials into something completely different. Something personal. Something a bit unique.
Getting completely immersed in making things has always been my favourite place to be.
Then I found jewellery… and that was it. I never looked back.
Why Sandcasting Stole My Heart
Out of all the ways to make jewellery, sand casting is the one that stuck.
It’s raw, slightly unpredictable, and never perfectly polished—and that’s exactly why I love it.
Each piece is hand-poured into sand moulds, which means no two pieces are ever the same. The textures, the tiny details, the imperfections—they’re all part of it.
Every piece is genuinely one of a kind. A proper little mini masterpiece.
Why I Use Recycled Precious Metals
From the beginning, I knew I didn’t just want to make jewellery that looked good—I wanted it to feel right too.
I use recycled precious metals in all my pieces. It means I can create something beautiful without adding to the demand for newly mined materials.
Same quality, less impact, better story.
And it doesn’t stop there—I also use recyclable packaging, so the whole process is a bit kinder to the planet.
The Magic of Bespoke Jewellery
One of my favourite parts of this job is creating bespoke pieces.
Sometimes people come with a clear idea. Sometimes it’s more of a “I don’t know exactly what I want, just something different.”
Either way, we figure it out together.
There’s something special about making a piece that exists purely because one person imagined it.
That’s the kind of jewellery I love making.
(If you want to dive deeper into bespoke pieces, I’ve shared more in another post.)
My Favourite Piece (And Why)
It’s hard to pick just one, but there’s always a piece that sticks with you.
Usually, it’s the one where everything just works. The texture comes out exactly right, the shape feels balanced, and the whole piece lands somewhere between raw and refined.
Those are the moments that remind me why I started doing this in the first place.
The Stacking Chunky High Dome Textured Sandcast Ring Set is my favourite piece, I love how the organic shapes sit together like a little hug. The shapes together perfectly balance each other creating an amazing statement piece, this is my best selling design and was one of favourites to design and create.
Why I Love What I Do
I get to work with my hands.
I get to take raw materials and turn them into something people actually wear and keep.
There’s something about transforming metal—something solid and unremarkable—into something meaningful that never gets old.
It just fits.
Why That Matters for You
When you buy from Sandcast Jewellery, you’re not getting something mass-produced.
You’re getting something shaped by hand, poured individually, and made with intention.
Something with texture. With character. With a story behind it.
And most importantly—something that no one else has.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t become a goldsmith the traditional way.
But honestly? I think that’s the best part.
Because this way, every piece means something.
And I still love it.
Laura xx
If you’re looking for jewellery that feels a bit different—something truly one-of-a-kind—you can explore my work or get in touch about a bespoke piece.