JULIA BURNESS

In the first in our series of spotlights on local creatives, we talk highs, lows and inspirations with the lady behind Julia Burness jewellery. 

Designer maker Julia Carey, began her jewellery business in 2010 in London’s Hatton Garden, specialising in metallic lace jewellery (and casting skulls!) - stocking shops such as JOSEPH, The Shop at Bluebird; as well as in New York and Italy.

When motherhood took over, a move to Henley meant the business took on a new structure: working from the kitchen table, making bespoke pieces for individuals and supplying The Creative Duck online shop.

What made you decide to start your business?

A thirst for creativity sent me back to university to study silversmithing and jewellery design at Sir John Cass in London, after that, starting a business was a no-brainer for me. I found my niche of making metallic lace jewellery quite quickly, so getting the business off the ground was relatively easy (with lots of hard work and some invaluable help from a PR agency called Felicities). The other option - going back to work in recruitment, lay on the horizon as a reminder of how dry work could be - which spurred me on!

 Where do you find inspiration?

I go through phases of being inspired and then not.. often I come back from trips abroad with lots of ideas. This summer I went to Ibiza and was inspired by the beautiful cacti and all the topless sunbathers! When I came home I immediately made some 'boob' pendants and cactus rings! Other things such as a photograph might trigger an idea, sometimes subconsciously. For example, a photo of myself and my husband at the Henley Festival that looked as though we were about to kiss. A week or so later I created some earrings called 'That Moment Before the Kiss'... 

What has been the biggest highlight to date? 

There have been lots of highlights, the jewellery industry is good fun - there are always lots of events to take part in, such as the annual Who's Next? in Paris and International Jewellery London (IJL). Being made a finalist for the UK Jewellery Awards was very exciting, I had to present in front of a board of industry experts - which was both scary and amazing at the time! Another highlight has been when I went to Tokyo with UKTI (UK Trade and Industry) to show my collections to the Japanese market. I was seven months pregnant at the time and it was exhausting, but I will never forget the experience. Overall, the highlight to date is possibly looking back on my jewellery career and seeing how far I've come, it has been a fun adventure and I have learnt a lot.

Whatʼs been your biggest challenge?

Curbing my impatience! I've learnt that nothing is set in stone, until it is set in stone - literally. There have been a few disappointments along the way, with hopes raised and then dashed, but it’s all part of the adventure. Running a business when you’re as messy as I am can be a challenge too - keeping track of receipts for the tax man is STILL a challenge! 

Best nugget of wisdom you can share with your fellow Creative Ducks? 

Find a good PR agency. Once you are ready, an agency can really help you 'get out' there and they can cater to your financial abilities, charging more once you’re making more money etc. Also, keep going, if you are enjoying yourself, then you are onto something good, because enjoying yourself means you are generating good energy and good energy creates good things ahead! 

Where can we find your work? 

My previous lace collections can be found on www.juliaburnessjewellery.com 

I am selling my "LOVE" cuff on The Creative Duck Shop.