Jobthat’sarealgem

LINDA Scott was always interested in drawing, painting and illustration so a career in the creative industries was inevitable.

But it was only after a sample course in jewellery that the 42-yearold discovered her enjoyment for working with precious metals.

She set up her own business, Linda Macdonald Jewellery, in 1996 and now supplies handmade jewellery all over the world.

Here, Linda, from Cardross, on the Firth of Clyde, tells us about her working day.

Can you tell us about your business and products?

We design and manufacture handmade jewellery in silver and gold from our workshop in Cardross. Our collections are sold in more than 100 stockists across the country, as well as online to customers in France, Germany and the USA.

Traditionally, we dealt mainly in trade but, over the last few years, we decided to fully embrace the digital world, which has boosted our online presence and led to an increase in sales.

Inspired by our beautiful countryside and romance, our collections tell a story and are highly collectable as each design flows into the next.

Have you always been interested in jewellery?

As a child, I was always working with tapestries or drawing and painting, so my love of art began very young.

I started at Glasgow School of Art with an interest in illustration, specifically children books, but when I had the opportunity to make jewellery as a sample course I enjoyed working with the precious metals.

I also loved the idea of working art into jewellery and developing the LORETTO CARE designs to link to one another to connect the themes and tell a story.

How did you get into the industry?

I graduated in 1996 with a degree in Silversmithing and Jewellery. I started developing an idea from a drawing into a piece of jewellery that tells a tale and began to sell my products at craft fairs.

I then built my way up to national trade fairs to expand the business.

I always had a desire to have my own business and when I graduated I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

Having always been creative, it was always my dream to make it work as a business and to continue to do what I love.

Jewellery is a very sentimental gift and very special to the customer, so it’s a pleasure and honour to make a gift that can mean so much.

Highs and lows of running your own business?

There are a lot of highs. Working with such a fabulous team in our workshop is definitely a highlight. I’m so lucky to have a great team here making the jewellery to such a high standard.

We have a lot of fun and love working with our customers.

As for lows, fortunately there aren’t too many but sometimes it is hard to switch off from the business and keep a work/family balance. What’s a typical day like? A typical day is a busy morning getting the kids off to school and then mostly correspondence, marketing and design work, followed by some outdoors inspiration with a lunchtime walk with Merlot the dog.

Then I settle into the workshop to work on creating masters for new designs or making orders for current collections.

Any advice for someone thinking of starting their own business?

I would say it is so important to work on a strong and well researched business plan, one which explores finance management, cash flow forecasts, budget planning and marketing as well as design viability for your chosen market.

But the biggest piece of advice would be to take into consideration how much time is needed to start and maintain the business and keep a good work/life balance so that you can enjoy the day-to-day running of the company.

Find out more at www.linda macdonaldjewellery.com

For advice on starting your own business, visit www.bgateway.com