Blog » Diane Lyness

Diane Lyness

2nd August 2016

Role: Goldsmith

Company: Self Employed

Track Record:

Returning to study as a mature student gave goldsmith Diane Lyness the skills needed to follow her career dreams.

Give a brief outline of your career to date.

I did many things before I began working as a jewellery designer. My first job was as a window dresser putting up amazing displays in the windows of department store Anderson & McAuley’s. I just fell into this job straight out of school and loved it. After this I worked in a retail jewellery business, ran my own gift shop and then set up an aromatherapy business for many years before running an espresso bar. But I didn’t feel fulfilled in my working life and decided to go back to study when I turned 50. I finished my degree in 2011 and have been working as a goldsmith and teaching workshops and courses ever since.

What was your favourite subject at school?

Definitely Art.

Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?

I went to Belfast Metropolitan College to do my City & Guilds in jewellery as a mature student. The teacher was fantastic and encouraged me to go on to further study. As a young person, even though I loved art and dreamt of going to Art College, I lacked the confidence to apply. Studying at Belfast Met helped build my confidence and made me see this was something within my reach; I went to the Art College at UU in 2008 where I did a BA Hons in Jewellery and Silversmithing.

How did you get into your area of work?

While at University, to further my skills I did several intense summer courses at the Kilkenny Design Centre and also worked alongside renowned Killyleagh goldsmith Graham Harron. During this time I refined the area of jewellery design that was right for me.

Is this what you always wanted to do?

I think metal work is in my genes. My grandfather, father and brother have run the family business, Lyness’s Silverplaters, so working with silver and gold just came naturally to me. When I was little I would always use my pocket money to buy little rings and bracelets so it has really come full circle for me as I am creating jewellery myself now.

Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?

I had developed the craft skills through study but to make a living from my art, I needed business skills and experience. When I finished University in 2011, my tutors encouraged me to apply for Craft NI’s ‘Makingit’ programme. This is a business development programme that’s supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Invest NI, it really helped me develop my business skills. I was placed at Down Arts Centre as the artist in residence and this gave me opportunities to teach and to create. I now run workshops all over Northern Ireland and teach leisure classes regularly at Belfast Met, UU and Down Arts Centre.

Are there alternative routes into the job?

You could start with leisure classes and progress or seek out an apprenticeship. Kilkenny Design Centre also has very intensive two year courses and there are shorter courses in Birmingham and London.

What are the main personal skills your job requires?

Patience, perseverance and being a perfectionist. If you are creating jewellery to be sold, it has to be perfect.

What does a typical day entail?

No two days are the same! I try to spend mornings getting caught up with paperwork. This leaves my head clear to get creative in the workshop, where I could be working on a private commission, my own jewellery range or an exhibition piece. Three evenings and many weekends are spent teaching. I am really looking forward to August Craft Month as I will be running a lot of silver jewellery making workshops in Ballymoney, Portadown, Ulster University, Antrim and Portstewart. It is lovely to have a mix of not only creating but also getting out to see people and share traditional skills with other like-minded people.

What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?

Time management is very challenging, especially when things don’t go to plan. Creating jewellery can take much longer than you anticipate but you have to put in the time to get it right. The best part of my job is when I’m asked to remodel an old piece of jewellery for a client. These tend to be items that are very important and sentimental to them and I bring new life to the piece. It’s so wonderful to see the joy on the customer’s face when they get their piece back. I feel grateful to be able to do this.

Why is what you do important?

Promoting the arts is very important to me and I feel that by sharing traditional craft skills in some way I am helping keep them alive.

What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?

Take every opportunity that comes your way, even if you’re not that sure. I didn’t set out to teach but I find this aspect of my work very rewarding and complements my studio practice perfectly.

If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?

Definitely something art based but I honestly couldn’t imagine doing anything else now.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?

Don’t expect to keep well-manicured nails, it’s never going to happen! And be thankful – I’m making a living from my art and loving every day.

Describe your ideal day off.

Hiking in the Mournes while putting the world to rights with good company or spending time with my two beautiful granddaughters.

 And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?

 

You’re going to be doing this for a long time so follow your heart. If you are passionate about what you do, it won’t seem like work.

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