The story of Watermeadow Lane Jewellery
I'm Claire Docherty, the founder of Watermeadow Lane Jewellery, and this is my story...
So, I’m that girl who has sailed through life never knowing what it is she wants to be “when she grows up”. I’ve always been creative, but I always saw that as a bit of a hobby. I went to University not knowing what to do, so thought I should just do something “business related”. I got my degree in Business Psychology & Marketing and not surprisingly, I have never used it….until now. Its amazing how many skills you draw upon to run your own
business!
My creativity continued in the background as I became a full-time mum. But it wasn’t until I was in my thirties and I had an opportunity to try some courses when something changed. I tried creative courses like baking, sewing and interior design which were all enjoyable but it wasn’t until I came across jewellery making that I suddenly had that moment of clarity… I found myself sitting in a taxi, on my way to do one of my jewellery classes at the Jewellery Design & Management School (JDMIS) in Singapore (where I was living at the time). I felt excited to be spending my Saturday doing a six hour jewellery course! I remember thinking….this must be what it feels like to be learning something you love. And love it, I do.
And so, began Watermeadow Lane Jewellery. I now get to make beautiful jewellery and see the joy it brings to customers faces when they find the perfect gift. My business has grown to become more specialised in freshwater pearl jewellery and using my skills in pearl stringing, I am able to breath new life into inherited pearls by either restringing them or redesigning them! Creating a piece of jewellery you will wear for years to come or to create numerous pieces that can be passed to family members is one of the best jobs I have.
….I now tell my children when they grow up….to do something you love….
“Love what you do and do what you love”
-Ray Bradbury-
By the way, the name Watermeadow Lane comes from the street I grew up on in Dublin (pictured here) and holds many fond memories of where I began. I now run my business from the village of Melbourne in South Derbyshire, UK, where I live with my family.
So, Why Pearls?
well why not...my business has naturally evolved to focus more on pearl jewellery simply because, I have fallen in love with them. I'm also a hopeless romantic, and to me pearls symbolise love, elegance & they are so easily styled. I design classic and contemporary jewellery because they go with every outfit. Once you buy your first pearls, you are in love with them for life.
Oh and my birthstone is pearl...so you could say it was just meant to be...
