Could you explain how you started your business?
I originally set up my business 14 years ago in 2006 after my first child was born. At the time, I was working in an administrative role at a well-known University and loved what I was doing, but despite being offered part-time hours when my maternity leave ended, I was hesitant to return.
I’d had a difficult pregnancy; I’d had a serious road traffic accident at 8 months pregnant and I was struggling with a chronic health condition. In addition to this, when I did return to work, I found that my job description had changed significantly. Something needed to change.
So I decided to put some previous sculpture training and experience to use, and I set up an independent company casting baby hands and feet in polished bronze. The baby casting work was really rewarding. I loved working with so many babies and families, but it was totally dependent on either me travelling to client’s homes or them coming to me.
I live in the middle of the Suffolk countryside. It’s beautiful, but it is the middle of nowhere and it became increasingly obvious that it was the wrong location. Then I discovered fingerprint jewellery. I already knew how to work with wax and metal and I found that working in gold and silver was very similar.
It was a turning point. Something I could do using my existing skillset, that could be done remotely, meaning I could take better care of my health.
Tell us more about what you sell
Today, Sophia Alexander is a luxury British jewellery brand. We specialise in making personalised jewellery and modern family heirlooms that feature customers own unique fingerprint impressions, handprint, footprint and pet print impressions. We work with prints from anyone – birth to one hundred years old and more. We also work with cats, dogs, horses – even the odd tortoise!
Every personalised necklace, ring and charm is made using 9ct gold, 18ct gold, fairtrade gold and silver. We also make wedding rings in both platinum and titanium.
We personalise pieces further by adding gemstones, diamonds, hand-engraved names and personal messages, and we send our jewellery to clients around the world.
What makes your jewellery so special?
After 14 years, I think I’ve perfected my process. I handcraft every piece of jewellery myself using the finest materials I can source and treat every commission as if it was my own.
Every piece is made to feel like it’s really been touched by someone special. You can run your finger over the impressions and feel every line and detail.
I work with a team of expert craftspeople from around the UK. Together, we ensure that every diamond set and every letter engraved is perfect.
Every personalised necklace, ring and charm is made using 9ct gold, 18ct gold, fairtrade gold and silver. We also make wedding rings in both platinum and titanium.
We personalise pieces further by adding gemstones, diamonds, hand-engraved names and personal messages, and we send our jewellery to clients around the world.
What makes your jewellery so special?
After 14 years, I think I’ve perfected my process. I handcraft every piece of jewellery myself using the finest materials I can source and treat every commission as if it was my own.
Every piece is made to feel like it’s really been touched by someone special. You can run your finger over the impressions and feel every line and detail.
I work with a team of expert craftspeople from around the UK. Together, we ensure that every diamond set and every letter engraved is perfect.
I am very aware that I’m making memories for people. I’m capturing the prints of special people. Capturing life stories and unforgettable moments. I’ve made wedding rings for couples, who’ve then come back to me when each of their children were born, and I’ve made pendants for those same people when they’ve lost a loved one.
We really are with our customers for the journey. I want them to love their jewellery and treasure it forever.
Can you explain the process of taking the fingerprints, handprints and footprints?
The impressions for each type of jewellery we make are taken quickly and easily at home. Once an order has been placed, we phone each new client to ensure the personal details given online are correct. A complimentary gift-wrapped impression kit is then posted out via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery (if a specific delivery date is required).
We supply different impression kits for fingerprint jewellery, handprint jewellery, paw print and hoof print jewellery. A detailed instruction book is included with each kit, but we’re always here in the studio for clients who need assistance. We can answer questions or even set up a Zoom call if preferred.
Three-dimensional fingerprint impressions are taken using a skin-safe moulding material that is suitable for taking the fingerprints of even young infants.
Handprint, footprint and pawprint impressions are taken using a special inkless paper and wipe system. It’s a safe and mess-free way of taking incredibly detailed prints that is used in U.S hospitals to identify newborn babies and their mothers.
Ink fingerprint impressions required for wedding rings are taken using a non-permanent ink pad. The loops, whorls and arches of the fingerprint are clearly defined, and the ink is easily removed by rubbing the fingers together.
Hoofprints are taken using a large box of soft pink impression foam, capable of taking deep three-dimensional impressions from ponies and large horses. The foam is pressed onto the hoof and the box removed, leaving the hoof dry and clean.
Once our clients are happy with their prints, they simply return them using the pre-paid packaging provided, although we are perfectly happy to work from scanned or photographed copies of inkless handprint impressions and inked fingerprint impressions.
What’s your most popular item?
Hoofprints are taken using a large box of soft pink impression foam, capable of taking deep three-dimensional impressions from ponies and large horses. The foam is pressed onto the hoof and the box removed, leaving the hoof dry and clean.
Once our clients are happy with their prints, they simply return them using the pre-paid packaging provided, although we are perfectly happy to work from scanned or photographed copies of inkless handprint impressions and inked fingerprint impressions.
What’s your most popular item?
That’s a really difficult question because every commission is so totally unique and it also changes depending on the time of the year. I find star-shaped necklaces are very popular at Christmas. Demand for heart-shaped necklaces and charm-beads always goes through the roof coming up to Mother’s Day. April, May and June are affectionately known as ‘silly season’ for wedding rings and leading up to Father’s Day, I make almost nothing but handprint cufflinks.
I find that people definitely lean towards simple shapes, so oval and disk-shaped necklaces never seem to fall out of fashion, but if I had to say what was my overall bestseller, I’d have to say my petite heart-shaped fingerprint necklaces in both 9ct and 18ct gold. These have been consistently popular for well over a decade.
Who or what inspires you?
As a small business owner, I find Holly Tucker (MBE) who co-founded Not On The Highstreet very inspirational. To have a great idea and then build a brand of that magnitude from the ground up, is beyond impressive. Connecting independent artisan businesses and craftspeople with audiences who would never stumble across them otherwise. Once you’ve run a small business for any length of time, you appreciate how much goes into something like that. That’s an astonishing amount of work right there.
In addition to this, she has also set up the charity organisation The Happy Bricks Foundation and she now runs a new business called Holly & Co, under the umbrella of which she helps support and guide female founders and small independent, creative entrepreneurs.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?
It’s taken me a very long time to build my business into the brand you see today and it’s taken me even longer to be able to take a step back and appreciate how far I’ve come without constantly berating myself for not working faster or achieve more.
The thing is, every time I look at it, I see something else I could design or improve because that’s the thing with owning your own business. You’re never done. It’s a constantly evolving being and there’s always more to do. So here is some advice from someone who’s been there:
Sometimes, every now and then, life happens and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it but learn to adapt – quickly. Learning to deal with overwhelm is such an important part of running your own business. If you can easily deal with day-to-day overwhelm, you’ll find it much easier to cope when life throws you a curveball.
I find that people definitely lean towards simple shapes, so oval and disk-shaped necklaces never seem to fall out of fashion, but if I had to say what was my overall bestseller, I’d have to say my petite heart-shaped fingerprint necklaces in both 9ct and 18ct gold. These have been consistently popular for well over a decade.
Who or what inspires you?
As a small business owner, I find Holly Tucker (MBE) who co-founded Not On The Highstreet very inspirational. To have a great idea and then build a brand of that magnitude from the ground up, is beyond impressive. Connecting independent artisan businesses and craftspeople with audiences who would never stumble across them otherwise. Once you’ve run a small business for any length of time, you appreciate how much goes into something like that. That’s an astonishing amount of work right there.
In addition to this, she has also set up the charity organisation The Happy Bricks Foundation and she now runs a new business called Holly & Co, under the umbrella of which she helps support and guide female founders and small independent, creative entrepreneurs.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?
It’s taken me a very long time to build my business into the brand you see today and it’s taken me even longer to be able to take a step back and appreciate how far I’ve come without constantly berating myself for not working faster or achieve more.
The thing is, every time I look at it, I see something else I could design or improve because that’s the thing with owning your own business. You’re never done. It’s a constantly evolving being and there’s always more to do. So here is some advice from someone who’s been there:
- As an independent brand, your reputation is everything! Focus on doing one thing at a time and focus on doing that really, really well. Try to make a bit of progress every day. Even if it’s just reeling off some emails, writing a few paragraphs or making some calls. Then, even if the whole day (week, month) goes awry, you will have still moved forward.
- Stop comparing yourself to every other company out there. Yes, social media is full of entrepreneurs who are crushing it with their six-figure businesses. You can’t scroll for more than 3 minutes without seeing ads for at least 10 of them and it can make your dreams feel impossibly out of reach. Especially when you don’t have the money, or the time, or the childcare – yet. Just remember that a lot of the time, those ads are smoke and mirrors. Focus on what you need to do.
Sometimes, every now and then, life happens and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it but learn to adapt – quickly. Learning to deal with overwhelm is such an important part of running your own business. If you can easily deal with day-to-day overwhelm, you’ll find it much easier to cope when life throws you a curveball.
If you want to check out the gorgeous personalised and unique jewellery, be sure to visit the Sophia Alexander Jewellery website and you will be smitten.
*Collaborative post
I love all the pieces featured here as it is so unique and means so much more than a normal jewellery. The Ink fingerprint impressions is something I would love to my jewellery collection.
ReplyDeleteEverything is very unique and special isn't it?
DeleteI love those bronze footprint casts. Wish I'd been able to have some of my kids. Such a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteThis jewellery is so lovely! I love personalised jewellery as it always has that little bit more meaning than other pieces - it means something unique to you.
ReplyDeleteI had a necklace made for me with my little ones handprints on it years ago and it's my favourite piece of jewellery
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely.
DeleteThese look fantastic and such a fabulous idea, i would love to have something with my kids etc, great review.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely collection of jewellery, knowing you can create memories which will mean so much to someone must be a lovely feeling x
ReplyDeleteThis is just lovely, I've never heard or seen anything like this before. I just had a look at the website and I'm going to consider something. It's such a lovely keepsake!
ReplyDeleteI think it is too.
DeleteI love jewellery but how lovely are these pieces so personal and every piece unique, I will have to look at these a bit further
ReplyDeleteThis is fab, I am loving the 'I love you' ring with the diamond in-bedded so nice and very personal too x
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, these are all so cute! It's such a great way to keep those treasured hand and footprints - I have a bracelet which had my daughters hand print on
ReplyDeleteI wish this was around when my son was a baby. I think his size 10 footprints wouldn't get on a necklace now!
DeleteOh wow, thats amazing how personalised the jewellery is! So personal and thoughtful! xo
ReplyDeleteThese are such gorgeous keepsakes and a really lovely idea, they'd make a great gift too.
ReplyDelete