A mum who took up jewellery making as a hobby during lockdown quit her job to pursue her new dream.
What started off as a hobby for Natalie Patten, 37, turned into a new passion that led to her leaving her career of 14 years at a local college. Now working for Totally Beads, the mum of one took the plunge and applied to take part in a TV search for Britain's Next Gem.
The competition, which searches for the UK's most innovative jewellery designer, has whittled down nine contestants to just two - and Natalie is one of them. Speaking to the ECHO ahead of the final, Natalie, said: "I saw an advert last March, a TV channel was looking for Britain's Next Gem and I just applied.
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"I specialise in wire wrapping and crystal gem stones. It was a hobby that started in lockdown and I just loved it so I decided to send off images of my work when I saw the advert."
Natalie, who said she suffers from imposter syndrome, decided to teach herself the art of jewellery making in the evenings during lockdown and quickly found it helped her mental health. She then decided to "take the plunge" and left her career supporting students' health and wellbeing needs.
After battling hundreds of people through the selection process, Natalie, whose business is Rock, Scissors, Paper, was chosen to appear on the show, which airs on Sky 674 and Freeview 72 before making it into the final. She added: "I've had timed challenges thrown at me and competing against other people and now I'm in the final it's a dream come true.
"The first round was with a panel of judges but now it's open to the public to vote and I'd love for the people of Liverpool to get behind me. Our city is amazing for their supporting and I'd be so grateful to anyone who votes for me.
"It's very surreal, it really is a dream come true. If I win the competition, I get to create my own collection which I already have, it's really exciting."
Urging others to go for their dreams, the Prescot mum said: "Just go for it. Regardless of what happens I will still be making things. It's important to spend time doing what you like, little steps can make a big difference in your journey so just go for your passion.
"I'd never done this before. I just started making Christmas gifts and I had many gem stones and pebbles from beaches and just taught myself completely and then I decided to take the plunge.
Anyone wishing to vote for Natalie can do so here. Voting closes on Wednesday, February 22 23:59pm and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards live on air.
Speaking about why she should be Britain's next gem, Natalie told JewelleryMaker: "It would mean the absolute world to me to win Britain’s Next Gem. I suffer greatly from imposters syndrome and this would validate me as a jewellery designer and prove that changing my career was the best decision I could have made.
"It would give me confidence in myself and my work to know that it’s not just something that I enjoy but that others appreciate and approve of my work as well and that would mean an awful lot to me. To have the opportunity to work with Jewelleymaker and gain their expertise and support would be a dream come true."
Natalie's jewellery "The Gemstone Garden Collection, is inspired by nature
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