Meet the maker!
I'd like to introduce myself to those who don't know me.
My name is Lauren, known as 'Loppy' or 'Lol' to loved ones. I'm from Birmingham, England 🏴 but nowadays I live in Selfoss, Iceland 🇮🇸.
I started making jewellery almost 12 years ago when I was 15 years old. I didn't have much money to buy Christmas presents that year, so instead decided to buy some cheap supplies and a few kilt pins and had a go at making bag charms for my friends. They were a success and I found a new hobby! I would spend any money I received on jewellery supplies and would spend hours watching YouTube learning new techniques.
At the age of 16 I started selling at a few craft fairs. By 17 I was selling my handmade jewellery in 2 shops in Birmingham city center. I was also working full time as a waitress but desperately wanted to turn my hobby into my career. Apprenticeships in the industry were hard to come by, and without any contacts, so were jobs. At 18 years old I applied to Birmingham School of Jewellery to take a part-time hobby course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. I loved learning how to manipulate metal and create fine jewellery from a piece of metal sheet. It was during this time that I also heard about a new apprentice scheme within Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.
I sent my application, and also had a recommendation from a council worker who had run some of the craft fairs I had attended. After a few months I got the phone call and I was accepted! I was one of the first apprentices for Holts Academy of Jewellery.
I worked for almost 5 years in Birmingham Jewellery Quarter at 2 different companies. I worked in goldsmithing, silversmithing, designing, vitreous enamelling, and machine press operating among other things. I attended college whilst I was working and received my NVQ Level 3 in Jewellery Manufacture in 2016.
In November 2016 I visited Iceland for the first time and unexpectedly fell in love with the country. I would try to return every couple of months until I eventually decided to move here for the Summer in May 2017. The plan was to stay for 3 months and then return to my job in the Jewellery Quarter. Well I never left! Almost 4 years later I'm still here in Iceland. I haven't been working in the jewellery industry during that time, but I realise now that I needed to be working in other jobs. It helped me to start learning the Icelandic language and make friends. Now I feel it's the right time to return to my much-loved career though, and that is why I'm starting Endurlífga Jewellery ❤️
My name is Lauren, known as 'Loppy' or 'Lol' to loved ones. I'm from Birmingham, England 🏴 but nowadays I live in Selfoss, Iceland 🇮🇸.
I started making jewellery almost 12 years ago when I was 15 years old. I didn't have much money to buy Christmas presents that year, so instead decided to buy some cheap supplies and a few kilt pins and had a go at making bag charms for my friends. They were a success and I found a new hobby! I would spend any money I received on jewellery supplies and would spend hours watching YouTube learning new techniques.
At the age of 16 I started selling at a few craft fairs. By 17 I was selling my handmade jewellery in 2 shops in Birmingham city center. I was also working full time as a waitress but desperately wanted to turn my hobby into my career. Apprenticeships in the industry were hard to come by, and without any contacts, so were jobs. At 18 years old I applied to Birmingham School of Jewellery to take a part-time hobby course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. I loved learning how to manipulate metal and create fine jewellery from a piece of metal sheet. It was during this time that I also heard about a new apprentice scheme within Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.
I sent my application, and also had a recommendation from a council worker who had run some of the craft fairs I had attended. After a few months I got the phone call and I was accepted! I was one of the first apprentices for Holts Academy of Jewellery.
I worked for almost 5 years in Birmingham Jewellery Quarter at 2 different companies. I worked in goldsmithing, silversmithing, designing, vitreous enamelling, and machine press operating among other things. I attended college whilst I was working and received my NVQ Level 3 in Jewellery Manufacture in 2016.
In November 2016 I visited Iceland for the first time and unexpectedly fell in love with the country. I would try to return every couple of months until I eventually decided to move here for the Summer in May 2017. The plan was to stay for 3 months and then return to my job in the Jewellery Quarter. Well I never left! Almost 4 years later I'm still here in Iceland. I haven't been working in the jewellery industry during that time, but I realise now that I needed to be working in other jobs. It helped me to start learning the Icelandic language and make friends. Now I feel it's the right time to return to my much-loved career though, and that is why I'm starting Endurlífga Jewellery ❤️
Hi Lauren,
I saw in some Facebook group that you make breastmilk jewellery ?
I am curious what you offer and what the prices would be ? :))
best regards, Sarah