Meet The Maker: Rachel, Senior Goldsmith

August 13, 2025

It is our absolute pleasure to introduce you to Rachel, our hugely talented Senior Goldsmith. Bringing many years of dedication and experience to our workshop, it's highly likely she's had her hands on your favourite piece of jewellery. We asked her a few questions about her inspiration, challenges and what she gets up to in the studio.

Woman with long blonde hair smiling, with text 'Meet the Maker Rachel, Senior Goldsmith' on a white background.

How did you get into making jewellery, and what drew you to it?

When I was little, I remember walking around a shopping centre with my parents and we passed a jewellers. I looked through a window into the workshop where a grey-haired goldsmith sat at his bench surrounded by all these interesting little tools and machines. He looked hard at work on a beautiful ring with his grubby working hands. It looked like a different world, magical in a way. I wanted to know what everything did and how to do it!

I started making small beaded things to start with. My nan bought me a bead-weaving loom for my 11th birthday which was my favourite thing for a long time. I also loved to use old broken jewellery to create new pieces to wear at school. I kept my options open during college and university by making all kinds of mixed media sculptural pieces, from paper to hot glass work, I even tried blacksmithing! But always in the end I found myself working on wearable pieces, small pieces of art. It was my dream to become a goldsmith and I feel very grateful and lucky to be doing what I do!

Person using a hand saw on a piece of metal on a jewellery work bench.

What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?

I'm normally found in the workshop surrounded by all these interesting little tools and machines with my grubby working hands! I'll be working on bespoke pieces, engagement rings and wedding rings. Or helping make the main collection pieces when Jenn and Annie need me at busier times. I'm often seen getting excited about new tools and techniques to try out, and working on new design ideas with Emma.

Person using a torch to work on silver bangles on a wooden surface

Are there any surprising steps in creating a piece of jewellery that most people don’t know about?

Most people don't realise how long it can take to make a piece by hand, also the many different techniques and processes that can be used to create looks and textures. From wax carving, sand casting to filing, hammering and melting. Our making videos are a great way to bring our customers into our world a little bit!

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Working with heirloom gold can be a challenge, not only because you don't always know how the gold is going to behave, but also because of the emotional aspect of the job. Knowing that someone is trusting you with something that has so much sentimental value is definitely something I don't forget as I work.

What’s the most meaningful story you’ve heard behind a customer’s piece?

There are so many! A job that stands out for me would probably be the wedding rings that I made using a couple's grandparents' wedding rings. They wanted the gold to be melted together into one nugget then reworked into bands. I just thought that it is a lovely way to remember them, keep them close and to let them be a part of their special day.

At Wild Fawn, we're proud to be a female-founded and led business, putting women's voices & experiences at the heart of everything we do. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to read our next instalment of Meet the Maker, but while you wait, learn more about the people behind Wild Fawn here.