Hello, I'm Katie Parker, the designer and tutor behind Katie Parker Jewellery.

Before jewellery making became my career, I worked as a freelance hairdresser. Following the birth of my second child in 2013, I suffered a serious arm injury that meant I could no longer continue in the profession I loved. At the time, it felt like everything had been turned upside down, but looking back, it was the beginning of a journey that would change my life.

During my recovery, I discovered jewellery making. What started as a creative distraction quickly became a passion, giving me back the sense of purpose and creativity I'd been missing.

My love of gemstones actually began much earlier. More than 15 years ago I studied gemstones and crystal healing, fascinated by their beauty, individuality and history. Bringing that knowledge into my jewellery designs felt like the perfect combination, and genuine gemstones remain at the heart of almost everything I create today.

Like many small businesses, Katie Parker Jewellery started with very humble beginnings—a handful of gemstones, a reel of wire, a few stretchy bracelets and a kitchen table. I never imagined that those first creations would grow into the business I run today.

As my confidence grew, I fell in love with the endless possibilities of wirework. From simple wrapped pendants to intricate woven designs, every new technique challenged me to learn more and develop my own style. Seed beads soon became another favourite, allowing me to add colour, texture and delicate detail to my work.

Over the years, my jewellery has evolved, but one thing has never changed—every piece is created with care, patience and attention to detail. My family have been there every step of the way, cheering me on, offering opinions (sometimes brutally honest ones!), and reminding me why I love doing what I do.

As people began asking how I created my designs, teaching became a natural next step.

I started running jewellery-making workshops, and I quickly realised that helping someone create something they never thought possible was just as rewarding as making jewellery myself.

When the world changed in 2020, my business changed too.

I launched my YouTube channel, Katie Parker Jewellery, and moved my workshops online using Zoom. What initially felt like a huge leap of faith opened the door to an incredible community of jewellery makers from all over the world. Instead of teaching locally, I was suddenly welcoming students into my virtual classroom from across the UK, Europe, America, Australia and beyond.

The online workshops became much more than lessons—they became a place where friendships were formed, confidence grew and creativity flourished.