Meet the Much Wenlock jeweller whose long-held dream of selling her own designs finally came true

Then, two years ago, she finally fulfilled her ambition and now has her own shop in Much Wenlock.

Silversmith and gemstone setter Michelle has worked in the jewellery industry for more than 30 years. “I seem to have tried almost every job there is in the jewellery trade as you tend to pick up many skills over the years,” she says.

“Originally I worked for a manufacturing jewellers in the Jewellery Quarter but decided to become self-employed quite a few years ago.

“Making and selling my own designs is something that I had always planned to do but it was never the right time,” says mother-of-three Michelle.

For the last two years, she has devoted her time to creating timeless, elegant beautiful pieces of solid sterling silver jewellery.

“Everything is fully handmade, and I hand-set all of the fine gemstones at my Much Wenlock workshop. Each piece is made using solid sterling silver and they are fully hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay office to guarantee the quality.

“Many silversmiths don’t tend to include faceted gemstones into their work, but, as I am also a gem setter I try to incorporate fine gemstones into many of my pieces which helps them to stand out from other silver jewellers.

“I also design plain pieces as well as my stone set work, so that customers have a choice.

“As all of my pieces are fully handmade, I can make all of my designs in any precious metal required. For example, If a customer likes a particular design but would prefer it to be made in 18ct gold, I am happy to make this for them.

“The jewellery that I make is designed with a luxurious, exclusive and more refined overall look and feel. You have the quality and appearance of perhaps 18ct white gold but with a much more affordable price tag.”

Ideas for new designs can come from ”anywhere and everywhere” says Michelle.

“Sometimes I will have one idea for a piece of metal but I may end up with something completely different because the metal doesn’t always work the way you want it to, which can also be quite nice. I do have some very one-off designs available which may have started life as something else but have taken on their own form as it goes along. The metal doesn’t always do what you want it to do or what your head would like it to do.”

It’s always very rewarding for Michelle when customers buy her designs or ask her to create a custom piece. “I’ve had a lot of very positive feedback from customers because they say that my pieces look different to other silver jewellery in both design and quality." she says.

"Because I am aiming for a more exclusive, luxurious and refined style of jewellery you wouldn't know that the pieces were not made from a more expensive metal such as 18ct white gold or platinum." she says.

"When you buy a piece of jewellery from me you not buying a mass-produced item that has been made hundreds of times. You're buying the design, the quality, care and time it takes to hand make the piece." adds Michelle.

Among the bespoke designs she has created have been sets of wedding rings, arm cuffs and cuff bangles.

“I recently made a beautiful cuff bangle for a lady's husband that had lost the piece they had, she drew the image and I made her a replica as a surprise for her husband.

Michelle has always loved jewellery so turning her hands to making it was a natural step.

"I think it's from my sister, as she used to take me along with her to the jewellery quarter when I was younger. I've always been a very hands-on craft inspired person and I think I just fell into jewellery because of that reason, I've always loved making things.

"The piece will start off as a strip of metal and it's very rewarding when you can bend it. Form it, file it, buff it and set it so that it takes on a whole new form. It's a very organic process because you are manipulating the metal and you are creating an idea that's in your head.

"The pieces don't always turn out the way my head wants them to but that can be nice too because you can finish with something completely different. No two pieces are ever going to be exactly the same - they may look the same but because they are all hand made they won't ever be identical," explains Michelle.

Her shop, DuBelle Jewellery, opened in April 2025 and is located within the Corn Exchange building on the High Street in Much Wenlock.

"I open the shop on Fridays and Saturdays but I also open by appointment at a more convenient time or day to suit the customer. 'Just message me or give me a call' and I will open up when you need me." she says.

"It's lovely because I get to speak with people face-to-face. When I can see exactly what they want, I get a better feel of what they are looking for. They know they are buying a quality piece of jewellery and I know they are buying the right product.

"It's a much more personal experience when I can speak with people because sometimes there's a story behind what they are actually looking for. I do also have an online website where you can purchase my products. Sometimes people will come to see me in the shop or at an event so that they can view the designs and decide to purchase later online from my website."

Visit Michelle at her Much Wenlock shop, call 07938597754 or visit www.dubellejewellery.com