All-INKlusive - What Does a Successful INKer Look Like?
Oooh we’re full of the good questions, aren’t we? Just what does success look like for an INKer? Well, that’s open to debate. Achievements can be personal, only relating to yourself and on however small a scale you decide it to be. Just look at me… for example, I got up this morning and did not scream for ten minutes in the bathroom into a towel just to please the dark voices inside my head. I even delayed contemplating going home and curling up into a wee ball until well after 11am. To me, this is an incredible achievement.
The best way to do this is simply to ask previous INKers what they thought about the course and gather all information available to us. You may have seen some the quotes from past INKers dotted around the INKubator Guide, each one little shiny nugget of joy and happiness! But I suppose there’s one person close to VI we can ask, someone who now nestles deep within Vanilla Ink’s bosom and snuggles in all warm and cosy. Let’s ask our very own Annelies Webb!
Hello. Who are you and what is your relationship/involvement with the INKubator?
My name is Annelies Webb, owner of Me Jewellies, and also Class Manager / Lead Tutor here at Vanilla Ink, woop woop! I was also one of the 2023 INKers!
Sweet! Tell us a little bit about your journey… when did you first get into jewellery making? Did you always want to make jewellery, did you go somewhere to study, what did you start off making?
After a loooooooot of soul searching I signed up for a part time jewellery making course in Dublin in December 2018. I left the first class with a hammered textured thumb ring which I still wear everyday. After that I was OBSESSED, all I wanted to do from then on was make jewellery, so I continued to sign up to classes, I watched video tutorials and read books about making jewellery. I interned at Vanilla Ink in September 2021 and amazingly became the Jeweller in Residence 2022, which led to me making up part of the 2023 INKubator cohort.
Before I booked on to the part time jewellery course I never thought of having a career as a jeweller but here I am trying to make it, slowly but surely I’m getting there. When you’re so passionate about something you WILL make it work!!!! It’s hard graft but the most rewarding, fulfilling work I’ve ever done.
What were your goals going into the Programme? What did you think you’d get out of it?
My main goal going into the INKubator was to become a full time jeweller and really define my style and brand. The Programme was so invaluable for my business and career as a jeweller. I was super excited to keep developing my skills and see how much I progressed in the year. I wanted to open the right side of my brain more and get my creative juices flowing. It offered so much and I was excited to see what direction it pointed me with my work.
You were on the Programme because you were our Jeweller in Residence. Tell us a little more about that... how do you think it worked out and was it what you were expecting?
My year as Jeweller in Residence was an absolute dream. It exceeded my expectations and I loved every single minute. I learned so much about myself as a jeweller and developed so many new skills. The opportunity to teach has been the best experience, I get such a buzz from teaching. Seeing the journey of jewellers in the making brings so much joy to my life when I can see them catching the jewellery bug…teehehe! Being in the studio I feel creatively energised and inspired. I can definitely see growth in my work since I started and I’m so happy with how it’s going, it just gets better and better.
and now you’re part of the management team here at VI!
And it’s an absolute privilege that I get to do that! It’s a joy to come in here each day and do what I do.
You’re cleary excited and passionate about being a jeweller! What drives you to do what you do?
Making jewellery is so much more than making shiny pretty things - it’s about connecting with people and bringing a little bit of joy to someone’s day/week/month/year/life . Every time I go to markets and meet new customers I always have such a laugh and I love sharing stories with them. It give me such a buzz knowing people love my pieces and will wear them FOREVERRRRRR! Knowing that people actually want to wear Me Jewellies, that’s definitely a drive… I’m in demand!!! lol
What’s the best and worst part of your job as a jeweller?
Best part keeping pieces for myself
Worst part, not knowing when to stop and then getting achey…remember to stretch!!!!! [need to tell myself that!]
If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing?
I was thinking about teaching English in Cambodia before I found jewellery so maybe that.
Ooohh that’s interesting… any other fascinating facts about yourself?
I’m half Dutch… Mammy Jewellies is from Holland and she makes my little twine gift bags.
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Cat or dog?
Dog
Meticulous planning or last minute chaos?
CHAOS!!!!!!!
Best film ever?
Moulin Rouge
Favourite colour?
Glitter
Best season?
Summer
Night out or night in?
Night in… [but I do love the odd night out]
Power of flight or super strength?
Strength 💪
Who was your first hero?
Ohhhhhh first hero… I really looked up to my eldest sister Monique when I was younger, there’s a 10yr age gap. When I was 12 she was 22 and moved to Australia for 6 years, I always wanted to be like her. I think she may have passed on the travel bug to me. I’m really close with all my siblings [there’s 2 other sisters and bro.. all older] and honestly they are all my heroes.
Also now I’m no longer 12 so the age difference isn’t relevant anymore.
Favourite place you’ve ever visited?
I have a soft spot for Thailand
How many tattoos do you have?
5 [I got 3 done in Thailand…lol]
What would be your signature dish that you cook?
Spag Bol
If you were a darts player, what would your walk-on music be?
Blame it on the Boogie. (Maybe replace boogie with darts…lol)
final question! Do you have any tips for anyone thinking about taking part in the INKubator Programme?
Don’t hesitate… if you’re in two minds, just know that it’s going to be an incredible investment in your career as a jeweller. So anyone thinking about it…DO IT!!!! APPLY!!! JOIN US!!!
Want to become a 2025 INKer? Apply here.
Need some more information? Download our INKubator Guide.
Want to visit our studios to see what it’s all about? Get in touch!
