Being shortlisted: a moment to pause and take stock

I’ve been shortlisted as a finalist for Emerging Jewellery Designer of the Year at the UK Jewellery Awards 2026.

It’s one of the jewellery industry’s most respected awards, and to reach this point, particularly as a first-year business, feels both surreal and quietly affirming. It comes not long after receiving the Alloy Graduate Award last year, and together they mark the beginning of something that has taken time to arrive at.

About the awards

The UK Jewellery Awards, now in its 34th year, is widely regarded as one of the most credible recognitions in the British jewellery industry.

The Emerging Designer category highlights those with a clear creative identity, innovation in design and strong commercial potential. Being shortlisted reflects not only the work itself, but the way I approach it, carefully considered, materially driven, and designed to help you express your identity and to give you confidence.

How I got here

What’s striking is how this began. Nearly a year ago, I exhibited at New Designers in London. I didn’t sell a single piece and the experience was a bit deflating. However, I had a conversation with another designer who encouraged me to enter awards. It was a simple suggestion, but it stayed with me. At that point, putting myself forward didn’t feel entirely natural, but I did it anyway.

Looking back, that moment matters more than the outcome of the show itself because confidence doesn’t come first. It builds afterwards, through doing the thing you’re not entirely sure you’re ready for.

What’s next

This feels less like an arrival, and more like a beginning.

Over the coming months I’ll be expanding the collection, developing new work and continuing to refine the brand. I’ll be approaching stockists and galleries, improving the website and finding more opportunities to show the work in person.

There’s still a lot to learn, but that’s part of it.

The final award results will be announced in July 2026.

If you’d like to follow the next stage of the journey, you can join my mailing list below. And if you’d like to see the work that led me here, you can explore the collection here.