I started work on keep me jewellery two and a half years ago and I am genuinely amazed at how fast the time has gone. It has, and continues to be, a constant learning curve, not only on the business side of things but also regarding my own skills. I have never been a believer in luck but am a big believer in timing and that is how it all started really – the timing was right and I was ready to give it a go.
My career started in film, making animatronic creatures. This involved a lot of different skills, from traditional sculpting and mould-making to mechanical design and engineering. A few years back I was looking for a change of direction so I moved into 3D animation. The same software used for that industry can be used for product design and rapid prototyping.
Having this previous experience with 3D software along with the practical skillset I had developed working on films meant that I have been able to develop my product so far. I also had extensive knowledge of materials and processes for making everyday items. I had the skills required to get started and I was actively looking for a new challenge. I was also starting to think that I don't want to work for other people any more – the timing was right.
My original plan was to make small animal figurines out of semi-precious stone, purely as a personal project at first, but I did think that I could possibly sell them if they were good. There were problems though as the production was far too labour-intensive. I then learned that computer-aided design and 3D printing was being used in the jewellery trade to design and print waxes for casting precious metals. This changed my plans completely.
I decided to make the animals out of precious metals. I knew how to use the software required for 3D printing and I was able to design and make prototypes from home. This turned out to be a very efficient and cost-effective way of developing my ideas as I didn't need to pay designers or hire a workspace. Making the animals out of precious metals also turned out to be too labour-intensive; it was a eureka moment one Sunday morning when I had the idea of making the head removable and turning the animals' collar into a jewellery ring to wear. This changed the whole concept of the product. I then looked into alternative materials for the animals. Cost was a defining factor as well as colour so I naturally starting looking into plastics, which is where I am now.
It's still all a fantasy at the moment and I have no idea what I will be doing this time next year, but I truly hope it is a continuation of the past couple of years. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every moment so far. There have been some major disappointments already, and some true tests of nerve, but I am challenging myself and learning new things.
There has also been plenty of excitement along the way and will, I hope, be much more. I have been selected to show keep me jewellery at this year's International Jewellery London trade show. It's the biggest trade event in the calendar and attracts buyers from across the UK and abroad. It's an incredible opportunity to show my product to industry buyers and experts.
Tom Blake is a sculptor and designer and the founder of keep me jewellery. He'll be blogging on a regular basis about his startup journey on the Network.
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