24/10/2026
On the way home after a wonderful night in Belfast, celebrating 50 years of Steensons .
Twenty-two years ago, I moved to Glenarm, a small village on the Antrim coast, fresh-faced and eager to begin my training in their workshop.
I wrote to them sharing my love of contemporary jewellery and my hope of becoming a goldsmith and asked if there might be a chance to train with them. They opened their workshop doors to me, giving me a start I’ll always be grateful for.
By day, I worked alongside them, learning the skills of goldsmithing. Incredibly, they also gave me a set of workshop keys so I could spend my evenings developing my own designs and building a portfolio for the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s jewellery skills course.
With just 12 places available every two years, that course was hugely sought after. I doubt I would have secured a place without my time with the Steensons. They really did give me my start in the jewellery industry.
Last night celebrated everything Bill and Christina built from a tiny coastal village, at such a difficult time in Northern Ireland’s history. With their daughter Brona now at the helm, they continue to create beautiful handcrafted jewellery in Glenarm. Seeing the collection of one-off designs marking their 50th anniversary, it’s clear the next chapter is in very good hands.
Congratulations, Bill, Chris and Brona, and thank you for a wonderful evening of laughter with so many familiar faces from the jewellery world. I’ll always be grateful to have been a small part of your story.
