Tell us about what we see in your photos.
The fist photo is my storefront. It is not the ideal colour for me, but it would cost far too much to rip out and change, so I live with it. I’ve also included the view of my main work area and my back workshop area. This is quite a mess as I am always moving the larger tools around. In here I have a polishing motor with extraction, a vacuum pump for degassing silicone rubber compounds and investment when I am casting, electroplating unit, lathe, drill press, rolling mill, enamel kiln, tumbler, magnetic barreller, pickle pot, photo area, ultrasonic, sink. It is also a storage area for other tools and stationery.

What do you create in your space?

Anything in silver, gold or platinum. I have many skills under my belt so there are a number of techniques that I use. I set my own stones and will undertake re-modelling of old jewellery, repairs or new commissions.
The majority of my trade is bespoke, where I will design and create a piece exactly to the clients’ brief.
I also create jewellery and silverware to sell in the shop and on Etsy.

In addition to the jewellery, I make my own cards using my own artwork which are sold in the shop and I am slowly adding these designs to a new Etsy shop.

What advice do you have for others who are trying to put together their own creative space?
Plan, plan and plan. I had been thinking about my own space for years. I was always looking at shop fittings and other retail outlets to see if there were any ideas I could use in constructing my own space.

The shop was to be split into two. One half for a workshop and one half for a retail space. I wanted the retail space, quite simple with just some high level shelves, so customers didn’t have to stop to look at things, and some glass cabinets built in. Again quite high so you could look at them easily without bending over.

The workshop came about by just planning where all my tools would go. This was just an evolution of my old workspace. I learnt what I needed at hand, what I used frequently and what was rarely used.

The one thing in all of this, was that I had to make my own fittings so that a) they suited my needs perfectly and also b) I couldn’t afford to employ a shop fitting service, so it was all DIY.

In addition to the shop and workshop area, I also had to incorporate a meeting table. I have lots of clients who will drive on average up to 2 hours just to get to me. This table serves as my office space when I am doing paperwork and also my design table when I am drawing.

What has your biggest challenge been in creating and maintaining your creative space?

The biggest challenge was finding a suitable shop in the first place. The search took about 18 months. With many sites being either too far away, too small, too big, in the wrong neighbourhood. It was important that the site ticked all the boxes of what I required and that I didn’t just jump into the first property that was available.

What is your favorite quote?

I am a terrible procrastinator, so mine is quite apt, “Is doing what you are doing, getting you any closer to your goals?”

What do you do when you’re NOT creating?

My typical day starts first thing getting the kids up and off to school, which means I get to my shop at about 9am. I then do the school run in the afternoon, so I can only work until 3.30pm.

The whole being a dad thing then kicks in until about 9pm. Sometimes I will try to promote my business on line or I might do some sketches and or drawings as I find that quite therapeutic.

What one piece of furniture or organizational equipment could you not live without?

My wallet. My wife bought me a lovely little wallet that has a pen and notebook. I am always drawing little sketches, or writing design ideas down, so I am never without pen and paper. I love it.

What is your next “move” for your creative space? Do you have plans for its future?

Ideally I would like to have a larger space, but it is all down to the location. It is so hard to find a building the suits your needs and at the same time, for it to be in a nice neighbourhood.

Do you have a website we could visit?

So many. I have my personal website. The majority of my trade comes via the website and is primarily bespoke engagement rings and wedding rings. I will undertake any commission in silver, gold or platinum. So I make anything including; tie slides, cuff links, money clips, brooches, piercing pieces, rings to suit all occasions, bookmarks, silverware…. The list is endless.

I have a Flickr account which I have only just opened, my Blog , and my Etsy shop. I have also opened another Etsy shop where I intend to put up some of my artwork.

Then naturally I have my shop located at 127 Singlewell Road, Gravesend,
Kent, DA11 7QA, UK

All of which keep me quite busy.

As a special promotion, if you mention this code at the time of ordering (APRIL2008) I will give 20% off my prices at http://chrisparry.etsy.com

This discount will be valid until the end of April 2008.

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