BBC 1 - Make It At Market
Eeek! The blog post you’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Allthough I’ve tried my best to keep the details under wraps, I’m thrilled to share that my episode has now aired on BBC One! you can find it here
Honestly, words can’t explain what this experience means to me. Before the show, I wouldn’t have considered myself a jeweller. The idea of turning my hobby into a business, let alone a successful one, felt like a distant dream. I almost quit many times. I went months without any orders or messages through my page, and it was incredibly disheartening. But I didn’t give up. I persevered, and here I am, having filmed an episode of BBC One’s "Make It at Market!"
S3 E7
Image Description - The image shows a person (Andie), in a pink jumpsuit working at a table under a covered outdoor area, handling a black cable and various equipment. The background features a well-maintained public garden. Another person,a crew member is partially visible on the left, also working
What is Make it at Market?
For those who dont know ‘Make It At Market'‘ or MIAM for short is a popular BBC One show that helps aspiring makers and craftspeople turn their hobbies into full-time businesses. The show pairs participants with industry mentors who provide guidance and support as they work to refine their skills and create marketable products. The series is hosted by Dominic Chinea from "The Repair Shop" and features a variety of crafts, including leatherwork, jewellery making, blacksmithing, weaving, and more
Participants are put through a series of challenges to test their abilities and help them develop their business potential. The show aims to inspire and support creative individuals in their journey to become successful entrepreneurs.
Image description- The image shows a person (Andie) smiling to the camera, shes wearing a grey apron with brown pockets and brass buttons, in a pink boiler suit, she is standing at a table. On the table, there is a blue cutting mat, a kiln, a water bottle, and all her tools. The setting is outdoors, featuring a grassy area, a pond, and plants and flowers arranged on shelves nearby.
I feel incredibly lucky to be one of the 30 creatives who all appeared on the show, its genuinely been life changing and it’s lead to many opportunities such as having genuine partnerships with funeral directors and pet crematoriums. Ive appeared in local papers, radio stations also on digital articles.
This has encouraged me to really step it up a mark when it comes to what I create, I abolutely love what I do and I would not have it any other way but with all the new skills ive learned I’m hoping to really take me keepsakes into a more vintage and handmade style using not only raw silver and fabricating but also wax carving my own designs too. I have inspiration flowing out of my ears and I am incredibly excited now to receive more orders from those wanting to create something not only high end and of quality but truly a one of a kind piece.
I worked with the talented Sonny Bailey-Aired, whom was my mentor and works from his london based studio and Sarah who was the other jeweller on the show who created the most beautiful pieces all the way up in scotland.
This is something that takes time and dedication so PLEASE follow me on my social media platforms to get inspired and keep up to date with what I am upto.
Thankyou for everyones encouragement, you have all quite literally supported my dream of , becoming a jeweller, owning my own business and getting out of ‘the matrix’, you allow me to express my love for others in a way that is sentimental AND creative,
so, with that I say…
Image Description - The image shows a workbench with tools like a hammer, a soldering iron, and some bottles on a shelf above. There's a plant in the background and a machine labeled "Prometheus Kilns" with a number on it indicating temperature inside the kiln. A crafter (Andie) is inspecting some glass that has been taken outside the kiln while wearing here PPE.