Behind the Bench: A Day in My Jewellery Studio
By Vanessa Ash-Anderson
There’s something magical about stepping into my little studio each day. It’s where silver meets fire, where stones find their purpose, and where creativity quietly turns into pieces that people will wear for years, sometimes even forever. I thought it would be fun to take you behind the scenes and share what an average day looks like in my world as a jeweller and small business owner.
Where Creativity Begins
Most of my inspiration comes in waves, sometimes during my morning coffee, sometimes when I’m looking at stones I’ve collected, and sometimes from custom requests that push me outside my comfort zone in the best way. Every piece has its own story, and usually the design starts with the stone itself. I like to sit with the colors, patterns, and textures and imagine what style will bring its natural beauty forward.
For custom pieces, I spend extra time sketching, planning, and choosing the perfect stones to fit the customer’s vision. I actually really love working on custom designs, they push me to think outside the box and try techniques or styles I might not explore on my own. Everyone has such different tastes, and that variety challenges me in the best way. It tests my skills, sparks new ideas, and honestly lets me grow as a jeweller. Creating something meaningful and one-of-a-kind for someone else is a part of this business that I truly enjoy.
The Ritual of the Workbench
Once I’m ready to start creating, the real magic happens at my bench. There’s something grounding about lighting the torch, carefully soldering silver, and shaping metal by hand. It’s a slow, intentional process. Some days things go perfectly… and other days, well... the silver doesn’t quite want to cooperate.
And I’ve learned something important over time: whenever the silver starts fighting back, it’s usually not the silver, it’s me. If I’m stressed, anxious, or thinking about a hundred other things, nothing flows. The solder won’t melt right, bezels don’t cooperate, and even the stones feel like they’re refusing to settle into place. I’ve realized that I need to be calm and present when I work. So now, when the metal resists or things just keep going wrong, I take it as a sign to stop, step away, and come back the next day with a clearer mind. Maybe it’s a bit superstitious, but I swear the silver and stones work with me only when I’m grounded, focused, steady, and in the right creative headspace. When I’m not, they let me know.
Seeing raw materials transform into something wearable will always feel special.
Stone Spotlight: Moonstone
Moonstone is one of my absolute favorite stones to work with. It has this soft, glowing magic, that famous blue flash that catches the light just right. Moonstone is believed to bring balance, intuition, and emotional clarity. Many people wear it for feminine energy, new beginnings, and gentle protection.
Every time I set a moonstone, I feel like I’m capturing a tiny piece of moonlight. It’s a gemstone that always feels timeless and soothing.
Fun fact: Moonstone was actually one of the very first stones I ever purchased for myself. I wore it as a necklace for a long time when I first started my jewellery journey, it felt grounding, protective, and honestly gave me strength during a time of huge change. I ended up losing it on the Oregon Coast while riding dune buggies through the sand dunes (still one of my favourite memories).
As sad as it was, a part of me believed that the Moonstone had done exactly what it needed to do, it supported me, helped me heal, and then let me move forward. And in the last year or two, I’ve done things I never imagined I’d have the courage to do. I truly feel like that little Moonstone played a small part in that growth.
Packaging with Purpose
Before any piece leaves my studio, I take my time polishing, inspecting, and wrapping it carefully. I want the unboxing experience to feel as special as the jewellery itself. From the jewellery pouch to the polishing cloth to the handwritten card, these little touches matter to me. They’re part of what makes handmade jewellery meaningful.
Why I Love What I Do
Running this business has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. Whether I’m working on a custom project, building a new collection, or packaging orders late at night, I always feel connected to my customers in a special way.
Jewellery is personal. It marks moments, memories, and milestones. Creating those pieces is something I never take for granted.
Part of what I love about this work is that it allows me to reconnect with my artistic side. As a stay-at-home mom, most of my days are devoted to taking care of my kids, which I love, but I also needed something just for me, something I could immerse myself in, enjoy, and look forward to. Jewellery-making gives me that. It’s my creative outlet, my happy place, and a little slice of “me time” each day. It challenges me, inspires me, and reminds me that nurturing my own passions is just as important as caring for my family.
- Vanessa 💕