Meet Jo from Jewellery by Jo
In her Bristol studio, surrounded by recycled silver, ethically sourced stones and the gentle rhythm of hammer on metal, Jo creates jewellery designed to be lived in. As the maker behind Jewellery by Jo, she crafts pieces that feel effortless, tactile and quietly meaningful – inspired by natural forms, everyday details and a deep respect for sustainable making.
We caught up with Jo to talk about discovering silversmithing (thanks to a thoughtful gift from her husband), learning to trust her creative instincts, navigating the rising cost of precious metals, and why jewellery should feel like part of real life – not something saved for best. From her love of texture and pattern to the joy of seeing customers connect with a piece that feels “just right”, here’s a glimpse into Jo’s world and the values shaping her work.
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Tell us about Jo…and about Jewellery by Jo!
I’m Jo, a wife, a mum to two, and a dog mum too (he’s very much my best friend). I spend as much time outdoors as I can and I’m passionate about exercise as moving my body clears my head and keeps me grounded, especially alongside running a small business.
Jewellery by Jo grew out of a love for working with my hands and a desire to create something meaningful and wearable. I make handmade jewellery in my Bristol studio using recycled silver and gold, along with ethically sourced stones. My designs are inspired by natural shapes, texture and everyday details, pieces that feel easy to wear, comfortable, and part of real life rather than something saved for special occasions.
When did you discover silversmithing? And if you hadn’t, what kind of jewellery do you think you’d be making today?
I discovered silversmithing after my husband bought me a course as a gift. I’d always loved making things, but that experience completely hooked me. I was fascinated by the process, learning how to shape metal by hand and slowly turn it into something wearable felt really satisfying, and I knew quite quickly that it was something I wanted to keep exploring.
If I hadn’t discovered silversmithing, I think I’d still be making something tactile and creative. I’m naturally drawn to working with my hands, so I imagine I’d be creating objects with a similar feel, simple, functional pieces made to be used and enjoyed every day, even if they weren’t jewellery.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out designing and making jewellery, who wants to start selling?
Take your time and don’t rush the selling part. Focus on learning your skills properly and making work you genuinely like, rather than what you think might sell. It’s also really important to price your work honestly from the start, your time and skill have value. And finally, try not to compare yourself too much to others, everyone’s journey looks different.
You’re passionate about ethical and sustainable jewellery design – why is this important for buyers, and how does it influence the pieces you create?
I think buyers increasingly want to know where things come from and how they’re made. Ethical and sustainable choices matter because jewellery is something people often keep for a long time, and it feels good to know it hasn’t come at a cost to people or the planet. For me, that means working with recycled metals, ethically sourced stones, and making pieces in small batches or to order, so nothing is wasted.
Can you walk us through your process for a piece – from idea or sketch to finished jewellery?
I very rarely sketch anything out, most of my designs come straight from my head. Often it starts with a feeling, a shape, or a stone I’m drawn to rather than a fixed plan. I love getting all my materials out on the bench, having a play, and seeing what happens. That freedom to experiment is a really important part of my process.
As I work, the piece gradually takes shape through forming, hammering and refining, and I let it evolve naturally rather than forcing it to look a certain way. The part I enjoy most is that moment when everything starts to come together and the jewellery really finds its character. The most challenging part is knowing when to stop, trusting that simplicity is often what makes a piece work.
Are there any stones, techniques, or materials you haven’t used yet but would love to experiment with in future collections?
I’d like to explore pattern and texture in more depth, particularly using my rolling mill and metal stamps. I enjoy experimenting with repeat patterns and seeing how different designs translate onto metal, and it’s something I want to keep developing across future collections. It feels like a natural next step for my work, allowing me to build on the techniques I already use while creating pieces with even more detail and individuality.
Looking back, what’s a moment or piece that felt like a breakthrough for you – creatively or in your business?
For me, the biggest breakthrough was learning to trust myself. For a long time, I questioned whether what I was making was “right” or whether I should be doing things differently. At some point, I let go of that and focused on making jewellery that genuinely felt like me. When people started connecting with those pieces, telling me they felt personal or that they’d been looking for something just like it, it meant alot. It gave me confidence not just in my work, but in myself as a maker, and it’s shaped everything I’ve made since.
What’s the biggest challenge you face as an independent jewellery maker – and how have you learned to navigate that?
One of the biggest challenges at the moment is the rising cost of silver and gold. As an independent maker working with precious metals, material costs have a direct impact on pricing, and that can be tricky to navigate while still keeping jewellery accessible and fairly priced.
I’ve learned to be really intentional about how I design and make pieces, using materials thoughtfully, working in small batches or to order, and being transparent about the value of handmade jewellery. It also reinforced the importance of standing by my prices and trusting that customers who value quality, ethics and craftsmanship understand what goes into each piece.
What’s one tip you’d give someone who’s buying handmade jewellery for the first time – whether as a gift or a treat for themselves?
Take a little time to learn about the maker and how the piece is made. Handmade jewellery often carries a story, from the materials used to the process behind it and understanding that can make the piece feel even more meaningful. Trust your instinct too, if something catches your eye and feels right, it usually is.
What exciting plans do you have next for Jewellery by Jo – new collections, themes, workshops or collaborations we should look out for?
I’m looking forward to continuing to build on my core collections, refining existing designs and developing new pieces that feel thoughtful, wearable and long lasting. I want to spend more time exploring pattern and texture, especially using tools like my rolling mill and metal stamps, and letting that feed naturally into future work.
Alongside that, I’m keen to grow the bespoke side of my business, working more closely with customers to create pieces that mark meaningful moments. I’m also planning to keep showing up in person through markets, as those connections are such an important part of how people experience my jewellery. Overall, my focus is on slow, considered growth, making work I’m proud of, staying true to my values, and continuing to evolve creatively.
Mother’s Day is almost here… which piece from your range would you love to see going to a well-deserving mum this year?
I’d love to see one of my statement gemstone necklaces gifted for Mother’s Day. They’re the kind of pieces you don’t buy every day, and that’s what makes them feel special. Each one is completely individual, and I love the idea of a mum being given something that feels like it was chosen just for her, something she can wear, enjoy, and keep as a reminder of that moment.
Finally, what question haven’t we asked that you’d have liked us to?
I’d love to be asked how I hope people feel when they wear my jewellery. I think about that a lot when I’m making. I want my pieces to feel easy and comfortable, the kind of jewellery you put on without overthinking, and then realise you’ve worn it every day for weeks because it just feels like you. Over time, those pieces start to hold memories, and that’s really special to me.
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