THEME: Milestones

19 JAN 2026

 

Traditionally, January is for me a month of introspection, a time to reflect on the lessons learned, to celebrate progress and to set standards for the year to come.

 A year of refinement

Just like the years before, I find myself looking back at the moments that shaped 2025 and came to realise that it has been a year of building foundations: refining my collections, learning to communicate my work more clearly, focusing on craftsmanship and slowly expanding my presence in the world. But if I had to choose one defining experience, one thread that wove itself through everything I did this year, it would be participating in the Shine programme at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.

 

This was more than a professional opportunity; it became the lens through which I looked at my practice, the structure that pushed me into becoming a more reflective maker.

 Shine arrived at exactly the right moment. Since launching my collection in 2024, I had pieces I was proud of, pieces that already carried my design language and identity yet Shine encouraged me to take all this further. Suddenly, I was looking at every millimetre, every mechanism, every curve, every detail often unseen, but determining everything. The programme didn’t ask me to reinvent my work, it pushed me to refine it.

 

And so, I spent the entire summer of 2025 doing just that: experimenting, changing, rebuilding, testing. The kind of slow craftsmanship that demands patience, honesty and humility. Jewellery is made in these details.

The backs of the pieces, the mechanisms, the smoothness of movement. I tried multiple variations, discarded many of them, and eventually arrived at results I am genuinely proud of. Shine pushed me out of my comfort zone and, in that new space, I found a deeper commitment to excellence.

 Collaboration

This process also led to something unexpected: collaboration. I worked closely with a colleague, sharing tiny decisions, problem-solving together, comparing mechanisms and approaches. It was the first time I opened my practice in this way and it added a layer of richness to the whole experience. The pieces that emerged carry not just my hand, but the memory of shared craft.

The challenge

Another part of Shine, one I found far more intimidating, was presenting myself and my work on camera. Speaking to a lens felt unnatural, even uncomfortable, but I had to do it. The videos and photos we produced were not perfect, but that was not the point. They marked the beginning of a new chapter for me. I realised how important it is to communicate not only what I make, but also why I make it and how I think about it. That challenge pushed me to invest in better photography equipment and to begin learning how to translate my work visually, with intention and with a clear language and aesthetic.

 In many ways, Shine laid the groundwork for my digital presence, something I am continuing to build now and will be the focus for 2026.

Mentoring

The mentoring sessions were another highlight. Listening to experts speak about photography, pricing, storytelling, and digital presence felt almost like someone placing markers along a path I had already begun walking. I had been researching and learning these subjects on my own for years. Hearing professionals reaffirm many of the ideas and practices I had developed privately was deeply reassuring. It reminded me that I am not starting from nothing; I am refining something that already exists. It allowed me to trust my instincts more, and understand where I need to grow next.

 

Perhaps the greatest impact Shine had on me, was internal. The positive feedback my work received helped solidify my confidence to keep going and being on the right path. As I look toward the new year, I carry with me lessons learned, the importance of the smallest details, the excitement of constant learning. Shine was not just a programme I participated in; it became a chapter that signifies clarity in my journey as a maker.

 

I am grateful for the experience and even more grateful for what it helped me uncover in my practice. I look forward to continuing this journey and whatever it brings next.  – M.S.

 

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