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

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.

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!

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.

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.