Bespoke Dreams: Amy Gibson’s Journey from Apprentice to Designer at Alex Monroe
For Amy Gibson, the path to a flourishing career in jewellery design began with a passion for sculptural forms and a determination to turn creativity into a hands-on profession. After completing her A Levels, Amy joined the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Jewellery Foundation Programme in 2018, a decision that shaped her future in remarkable ways. With a Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) Award already under her belt, Amy secured a prestigious apprenticeship at Alex Monroe, the London-based jewellery company renowned for its nature-inspired designs. Today, as a Bespoke Designer for the brand, Amy reflects on the experiences that prepared her for a career combining craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration.
In this interview, Amy shares how the Foundation Programme laid the groundwork for her success, the lessons she learned during her apprenticeship, and the joy she finds in crafting bespoke and collection pieces for Alex Monroe. Her journey in her own words exemplifies how the Goldsmiths’ Centre supports aspiring jewellers in turning ambition into achievement.
The Journey So Far
I joined the Foundation Programme in 2018. After completing my A Levels, I went straight into the programme at the Goldsmiths' Centre. Following that, I did an apprenticeship with Alex Monroe, which gave me the chance to explore various aspects of jewellery design and making. Since graduating, I’ve been working here, focusing on both bespoke pieces and new collections.
I was drawn to jewellery because I wanted a creative and hands-on career. I’ve always been interested in sculptural forms, and jewellery felt like a refined way to explore that. At school, it was hard to find guidance for creative career paths. Art was very paint-focused, and I didn’t feel there were clear routes into something like jewellery. A past student of my school, who had done a short course at the Goldsmiths' Centre, recommended it to me during a careers day. I was the only student interested in silversmithing, so the school arranged for me to meet her one-on-one, which led me to discover the Foundation Programme.
A Transformative Experience: The Goldsmiths' Centre Foundation Programme
I loved my time on the Foundation Programme. The tutors were incredible - patient, supportive, and always willing to guide you through every step of the process. They taught me not just how to make things but how to fix mistakes and move forward. It was an intensive programme, which appealed to me because I wanted to be at the bench every day. Before the programme, I only had a little work experience with a local jeweller, so starting alongside others with no experience created a real sense of camaraderie. We all helped and learned from each other, and I’m still in touch with many of them.
The programme helped me realise that I enjoy every part of the jewellery-making process, from initial design to creating prototypes and bespoke pieces.
The programme helped me realise that I enjoy every part of the jewellery-making process, from initial design to creating prototypes and bespoke pieces. My apprenticeship wasn’t strictly defined by one area, so I got to explore design, sourcing, quoting, and making. That variety suited me because I love seeing a project through from start to finish. Now, I split my time between bespoke work and new collections. The bespoke side involves working closely with customers and sometimes using exciting materials, while the collections allow for more creative freedom and collaboration with the team. It’s a great mix that keeps the work fresh and inspiring.
Exploring All Aspects of Jewellery Making: Apprenticeship with Alex Monroe
Alex Monroe specialises in jewellery inspired by nature, and it’s also a significant source of inspiration for me. It’s so broad and limitless, which means there’s always something new to explore. When designing collections, ideas often branch into multiple directions before being refined into a final product. We even have an archive of ideas that didn’t make it into collections, which we sometimes revisit for new projects or exclusives.
Looking back, the intensive, hands-on nature of the Jewellery Foundation Programme was exactly what I needed to launch my career. The tutors’ support didn’t end when I finished the programme - they’re still there for advice whenever I need it. What keeps me motivated now is the creative freedom and variety in my work, whether it’s crafting bespoke pieces or experimenting with new designs. Being able to sample and refine ideas is so important in this industry, and I’m lucky to work somewhere that allows that exploration.
