Emily Bedford has been designing, making, and selling jewellery for over 25 years. Having studied at Sir John Cass, her work is rooted in traditional hand-making processes and bench skills. She works from her studio at Cockpit, where she now creates each piece entirely by hand, focusing on craftsmanship and classic techniques.

During the pandemic, Emily founded an enterprise with her partner, producing and finishing pieces for other designer-makers. She was fascinated by the challenge of achieving a perfect finish and valued the relationships built through collaboration with peers and colleagues. Recognising a gap in the industry, she developed a service that offers guidance and support to both emerging and established designers.

More recently, Emily has been working as a goldsmith and jeweller for Malcolm Betts, whose beautiful handcrafted pieces are forged using traditional goldsmithing techniques. This role has allowed her to refine her skills and continue her professional development.

In 2022, Emily received a grant from The Goldsmiths’ Centre, enabling her to pursue a long-held ambition to learn enamelling. This exploration led her to the process of etching, which complements enamelling and allows her to produce enamelled pieces entirely in-house, from conception to completion.

Emily now runs two courses from her studio, where students can learn both experimental dry sifting enamelling and the more formal technique of Champlevé enamelling. Her passion lies in learning, discovery, and the exchange of skills. She believes that hands-on engagement with these fascinating and ancient techniques is essential for the future of the jewellery industry. Her values are reflected in her belief that being part of a wider community of makers and designers not only strengthens the craft but also makes the industry an inspiring and rewarding one to work in.