This shop sits tucked away in a pedestrianized lane just off the High Street. With it's baby-blue sign and hanging basket of fresh flowers outside, it looks charming, promising and inviting. It was opened as an outlet for jewellery-maker Belinda Terry's creations and is now run by her daughter. When I enter, her daughter has a look of great concentration on her face as she is making some alterations to a piece. She looks up and welcomes me with a smile.
Working in silver, 18 carat gold and using semi-precious stones to decorate, Terry's work is often abstract and it has a fine and sculptural form to it. She uses a technique of treating the works so that their appearance is like that of oil of water. There is a real individuality to her pieces. Some simple fairy tale tiaras like the sort you might see in children's books are also on offer and are suitable for little girls on afternoon quests and big girls on their wedding day.
As well as selling Belinda's creations, Jewels also sell gifts made by others. There are charming little pieces in the form of domed glass fridge magnets with retro designs like 1950s cartoon spaceships and tattoo-style swallows. They offer unique packaging solutions too, like Chinese take-away cardboard pails decorated with line drawings.
At the time of writing (August 2012) the shop has 50% off many bought-in items, due to a relocation. (To be announced). read more