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Where you'll find me in 2026 including bespoke work appointments

ALL YEAR ROUND

Appointments can be made for a Zoom call or personal visit at my studio at any time of the year. Just email anna@annafrancebespoke.co.uk or phone 07729797720 for further details.

 

 

MAY

 

Badminton Horse Trials

 Mars - Badminton Horse Trials

6th – 10th May 

Where to find me:  Country Living Pavillion stand 32

For more information: https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk

 

Goldsmith North

 

5th June to 7th June 2026


Open 10am – 5pm Friday and Saturday
Open 10am – 4pm on Sunday
Please note: Last Entry 3pm on Sunday

The Cutlers’ Hall

Church Street

Sheffield

S1 1HG 

 

An international shopping experience bringing the finest contemporary Silverware & Jewellery from the UK and Europe to the North of England, hosted in the magnificent Cutlers’ Hall in the heart of Sheffield.

 

For more information: https://goldsmithsnorth.com

 

 

JULY

Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair alongside Celebrating Ceramics 2026 at Waterperry Gardens

10th -12th July 2026

Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, Oxford OX33 1LA

Friday to Saturday: 9.30 am - 5.30 pm

Sunday: 9.30 am - 5 pm

Advance Booking Recommended

Last entry 1 hour before closing 

 

2 Events - 1 Admission - 1 Fabulous Venue

Where to find me:-  TBC

For more information: https://www.craftinfocus.com/next-fair/waterperry-july-2026

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER

Burghley Horse Trials   

3rd - 6th September

Burghley House

Stamford

Lincs

PE9 3JY

 

Where to find me: Lower Eden Crafts Marquee, by bottom entrance

For more information: https://burghley-horse.co.uk/

 

Aquire at Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire

18th - 20th September

Event open 10am to 5pm, with Talks at 11am, 1pm & 3pm each day.
Exhibiting with me will be a small specialist band of Uk artisans of fine jewellery and silverware
Talks on the history of jewellery, silverware and applied arts; curated by susan Rumfitt (a regular jewellery specialist on BBC's Antique Roadshow)

 

NOVEMBER

TBC

GOLDSMITHS NORTH X WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE

 13th - 15th November 

Private View on 12th November
Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TQ

 


Burghley House Christmas Fair

26th - 29th November 


The Burghley Christmas Fair is a festive shopping
experience in the magical surroundings of Burghley.

Thursday 26th November 09.30am – 4pm
Friday 27th November 09.30am – 7.30pm
Saturday 28th November 09.30am – 7.30pm
Sunday 29th November 09.30am – 4pm

whetre to find me; Main Marquee

For more information: https://burghley.co.uk/events/the-burghley-christmas-fair

 

 


 

 

 

Unlocking the Beauty of Your Unworn Jewellery: Annakin Jewellery's Repurposing Journey


Welcome to Annakin Jewellery, where the art of jewellery isn't just about adornment; it's about cherishing the past and creating timeless pieces for the future. We're delighted to introduce you to our world of jewellery and the magical transformation of forgotten treasures.

The Visionary Behind Annakin

Annakin Jewellery is the conception of me, Anna France, and it was founded in 2000. Creating beautiful, stunning jewellery, Anna has forged a wonderful reputation over the years for the quality and elegance of her work. There is no set 'look' to an Annakin Jewellery piece - she likes to keep things simple, elegant, and classic with a twist. Combining various techniques and enjoying trying something new and surprising to catch your eye, Annakin Jewellery is all about celebrating the beauty of the unexpected.

Annakin Jewellery is extremely proud of the reputation she has built, and you can see our excellent reviews on Trust Pilot.

The Story of Annakin Jewellery

How many of us have pieces of jewellery that we do not wear, sitting in our drawers? Either fashion has changed, they don't fit anymore, or we have inherited something that, although we love the sentimentality, we do not like the design!

Here is a chance to create something that you will love out of those pieces that have not seen the light of day for a while. By sitting down and talking through what you want to wear, the lifestyle you have today, and how you want to move forward, we can come to a design that you will love and treasure and then pass on yourself to the next generation.

Using the whole of the item, including any stones and metal, ensures that any story that has come with the piece is kept and then retold. It's about preserving the memories and making them shine anew.

The Magic of Repurposing

Over the coming months I will be posting before and after examples of the pieces she has been working on over the past year. There are many success stories, reigniting a love for those pieces that are special to you and yours. Get in touch with Annakin, and let's bring your ideas to life.

Meanwhile go to my website by clicking this link to see a few examples to start you off.

Anna


Reticulation or to you and me textured silver

RETICULATION

A technique using the combination of applying heat and quenching in cold to produce wrinkles, folds and creases on the surface of metal, almost like you have been in the bath too long and your fingers have gone prunie.  The metal catches the light and twinkles as though covered in crystals. A sophisticated but simple look that suits both men and women.

A bit more about me - part 2

Please read part 1

Sadly I discovered that to be involved in horticulture one needed to be fit and have a back that could withstand digging, hefting stone and slab and turning large quantities of manure. Unfortunately my back protested and that was that.

An evening course in silversmithing opened up the door that would lead to jewellery.

Watching a group of retired gentlemen hammer with such precision sheet of metal until they became beautiful jugs or bowls was awe inspiring. Could I do this, have the patience and learn the skill? Well, first of all I had to go through basic training, the ceremonial burnt fingers, cut hands, loss of a finger nail and watch countless ounces, (grams for you youngsters reading this) of silver turning from something with potential into a blob that was put into scrap!

Thankfully, with some great teaching and some patience and encouragement from the elderly men I started to learn the art
A bit more about me

What got me into working with gold and silver?

I always new I was more creative than academic although it took some time to get there.

A couple of years at John Lewis on their management programme gave me a great background in selling, display and general merchandising. A course at secretarial college, (all the rage in the 70's) gave me computer skills. You may not think this would be an obvious skill in jewellery making but believe me, the paperwork, book-keeping and general correspondence is enormous.

A qualification in horticulture made me realise that creating beautiful spaces for others was satisfying, fun and above all using the part of my brain that lit the rest up. All good basics for the next step.
So why Annakin Silver?

When thinking up a name for my then hobby back in 2002, I never thought that the name I picked would be so important and still be with me in 2013.

A name is the beginning and the end of any company. It has to be easily remembered, not to be confused with anything else. It needs to be easily identifiable with ideally a logo that can be extracted from it.  It has to tell the story.

“Annakin” came from a pet name my father had for me when I was small, he even made up a poem which went:-

“Annakin Panakin,

Lost her Hanikin,

Poor little Annakin,

She’ll get a spanakin.” (don’t worry folks, I never did)

 

The name does get confused with the Star Wars character Anakin Skywalker, (please note there is only a single “n”) but this only starts a conversation which is always my first step in building a relationship with my customers.

The logo, a golden triangle makes is simple to see and one which I want to develop more in the coming years.

Annakin Silver blog intro

WHO, WHAT & WHY

My name is Anna and I run a company called Annakin Silver and I love designing, making and selling silver and gold jewellery.  So, that’s the who, what and why, now the next big question....

WHY AM I WRITING A BLOG?

Well, for a few reasons, firstly, my children told me to, secondly, because it makes sense to have a space where I can talk about my life, my work and how I view the world.  Thirdly, because someone out there might be interested in what I have to say.

WHAT DO I HOPE TO GAIN FROM THIS BLOG?

My family have had a tradition of when things need to be said and I mean really said then they write a letter.  Whether it is to express love, thanks, concern, to confirm a decision, to broach a tricky subject or in one case to discuss the birds and bees. This blog will be no different.  I can talk about what inspires me, teach what I think you’ll find interesting, talk about life in the jewellery world and the many highs and lows of working for myself, at home, trying to do it all.