252. From Fine Art to Fret Saws: The Accidental Jewellery Journey of ‘I Am Acrylic’

If you love hearing how other jewellers found their way into the industry, this episode is for you! This week, Elin Horgan chats with Ruth and Brendan from I Am Acrylic, a duo who never planned to be jewellers but found themselves falling in love with the craft. Trained in fine art, they stumbled into jewellery-making after experimenting with acrylic scraps and a fret saw. What started as a creative experiment grew into a thriving business, with independent shops and even celebrities like Angelina Jolie and David Schwimmer snapping up their work. In this episode, they share their journey of hand-cutting every piece (despite the rise of laser cutting), the joys of selling at markets, and the power of connecting with fellow makers. They also discuss how running workshops helps them stay connected to their craft and community. If you’re inspired by real-life jewellery journeys, listen now to hear how I Am Acrylic built their business with creativity, passion, and a hands-on approach.   I Am Acrylic on Instagram I Am Acrylic website Learn more about Jewellers Academy Watch this episode on YouTube Join the Jewellers Academy Facebook Group Find Jewellers Academy on Instagram and Facebook