Follow your dreams to make things happen
Sheila Fleet
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – but they might also be her best career path too.
That’s according to Sheila Fleet, one of Scotland’s foremost jewellery designer, renowned for her silver and aqua designs inspired by the seascapes of Orkney.
She is advising women looking for a new career path in 2020 to consider jewellery – just as she did back in the 1960s.
“There’s some uncertainty about jobs but that might mean more women will look into jewellery making as a career,” she explained. “It is difficult but I’d like to see more people do it – I think you’re better to step out into the teeth of something then it can’t get any worse!
“I’d advise anyone interested in making jewellery to go to an art college because you’ll get the freedom and opportunity to explore things and do them how you want. Learning the craft of making jewellery is important, but remember there’s no one way of doing things.
“Be passionate, follow your dreams and work hard. But make things happen for yourself.”
Sheila grew up on a farm in Orkney but turned to more artistic pursuits encouraged by her mum.
“We were all encouraged to join in with all sorts of things on the farm. But my mother encouraged us to draw, which is where my passion for design came from I think.
“I went to art classes in the evenings. I cycled three miles then took a bus for 17 miles to get to them so I must have been keen.”
Sheila’s lecturer persuaded her to send her portfolio to Edinburgh College of Art where she was accepted – then she excelled at sculpture, and became interested in lapidary.
“I went to the lapidary club where I cut and polished a piece of Iona marble and set it in a silver ring, which was the first jewellery I made,” she recalled.
“I was allowed to go to London to study with Royal jeweller Andrew Grima, who was one of the UK’s top designers at the time.
“It was the 60s and it was so exciting. Andrew Grima was the top jeweller at the time. He had the brilliant idea of employing young designers to make more modern-style jewellery.
“I was so lucky to experience it, the 1960s was such an exciting period. I felt in the middle of everything that was happening.”
Sheila designed jewellery in England before returning to Orkney where, in 1993, she started her own company.
“I wanted a family and brought my husband from England.
“You always reflect where you come from – and the designs I do today reflect where I come from.”