Tools left to journalist by craftsman’s legacy prompt change of direction

A chance encounter with a silversmith and an inherited box of tools has prompted a former journalist to retrain as a jeweller.

Despite a successful career in politics and journalism, Thierry Kelaart, 31, said  she has always been destined to be a jeweller following a ‘fascinating meeting’ with a gifted silversmith when she was just a teenager.

Kelaart, from Ladbroke Grove in London, said: “I was first introduced to silversmithing and jewellery-making as a teenager during a family holiday in Devon. We spent an afternoon with a local silversmith called Mr Geldhart, and I remember being absolutely fascinated by his work and tools. He was an incredibly inspiring man, but sadly I only ever got the opportunity to meet him that once.”

Touched by Kelaart’s interest in jewellery-making the silversmith went on to leave her his tools in his will, unbeknownst to her.

Kelaart said: “I didn’t receive his legacy of tools until several years after having met him so it was a total surprise. Inheriting all those amazing silversmithing tools was quite a shock. It was also quite overwhelming as I was still very young then but it certainly sparked my interest in jewellery making.”

A decade later she decided to give up her full time job to retrain as a jeweller and enrolled onto a jewellery making course at Kensington and Chelsea College.

“It’s not so overwhelming when I look at the tools now that I know how to use them.” she said. “Every time I’m taught something new in class I come home to discover I already have the tools to make it because of Mr Geldhart. I’d like to think he would be pleased with what I’m now doing.”

Thierry hopes to start her own jewellery business having successfully completed her course at the College.