When Gill left school at the age of 16 she worked for several years in the Jewellery department of a local store, gaining an interest in jewellery and knowledge of the retail jewellery trade. Her love of gemstones developed many years later when she was attracted by their natural beauty and fascinated by their intrinsic energies. This was linked with a deep interest in meditation and alternative therapies such as Reiki and Crystal Healing.
Whilst idly browsing a small beading shop in Leeds back in 2003 she found her fingers itching to ‘have a go’ at making some earrings. She had always had a creative drive and up to that point it had been satisfied by photography and painting. Here was a new creative challenge! Later on Gill was introduced to a supplier of gemstones and jewellery findings and Red Bear Jewellery was conceived. Apart from a few basic instructions on how to use a couple of jewelling tools she is basically self-taught, mostly using her own methods and occasionally referring to text books.
The first Red Bear collection went on sale at a friend’s gallery in Wakefield and then Gill started to do small craft fairs and now has events most weeks from March through to Christmas.
Gill’s aim is make jewellery to the highest standards, whilst keeping it very affordable and backing this up with first class customer service and after care.
The stones for each piece of jewellery are still hand selected, ensuring good colour matching for pieces like earrings and sets. Owing to the uniqueness of the materials no two pieces are ever entirely alike.
Adjustments can be made to any jewellery item and orders for special pieces are welcome. Some of the designs can also be made using a different gemstone, please contact us to enquire.