These Hands | Lea
These hands belong to Lea, our Head Jeweller. Newlywed Lea always starts the day with a strong coffee and is known for her contagious laughter. Find out more about Lea below...
Who do these hands belong to?
Lea, Head Jeweller.
What is your role here at Natalie Marie Jewellery, and how long have you been on the team?
I have been a part of the team since 2017. I make pieces for both the online and bespoke clients. I also manage the repairs and resizes.
Has your role changed since you first started?
It has!
I started out as a bench jeweller in a general role making pieces for the online store, acting as an extra pair of hands for the wholesale team and even creating the odd piece for bespoke clients.
With our growing team and my background in jewellery remakes and repairs I quickly found myself specializing into a similar role with Natalie Marie Jewellery.
In 2019 my role evolved further into the Head Jeweller position where among other duties, I’m trusted with quality and consistency checks to ensure the pieces that customers receive are always up to the same high standards we set.
Describe a typical day for you?
A typical day for me starts out with a strong coffee and checking in on any repairs and resizing to do. These take a priority for me and after they’re all taken care of I move on to making pieces for both bespoke and online. I find the variety of jewellery that I get to make to be really rewarding and always keeps things interesting.
What is your most treasured piece of jewellery?
Definitely my wedding band. It’s an ‘Annie’ half eternity band with diamonds and it has our initials and the wedding date engraved on the inside. It’s so special.
What is your favourite Natalie Marie piece?
I can’t choose just one, but my favourites are the Sugar Studs, the Marquise Sun Studs and my all time favourite the Evie ring. I am also so in love with the Diamond Cluster Ring at the moment.
When did you first come across Natalie Marie Jewellery?
I first came across Natalie Marie Jewellery on instagram 3 years ago and am so glad I did - it’s my dream job!
Where would we find you on the weekend? How do you unwind?
You will most likely find me eating out at our favorite cafe/restaurants as I love my food (ask anyone) or you might find me hiking a trail with my husband.
I like to unwind by visiting my parents up the coast and spending time with my two dogs.
Coffee or tea? How do you take it?
Black coffee. It’s rare but I also like getting an almond or a soy latte on days that I feel like a treat.
Beach, City or Mountains?
I do really love the beach and I’m lucky I work really close to one but there’s just something about mountains that just blows me away. I can just stare at it for days.
What advice would you give to anyone considering becoming a jeweller?
Make sure you really enjoy the make side of things. Designing your own pieces is very rewarding but it’s the long physical hours of making where you learn how to form the designs that really make wonderful pieces.
When learning new techniques, stay humble, be patient, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or challenge the process.
What inspires you?
Going on hikes and being surrounded by nature.
If you could live anywhere else, apart from Sydney, where would you be living?
Somewhere amongst mountains with my partner and my two dogs - that’s the dream.
Describe yourself in 5 words...
Observant, honest, impatient, overly sensitive.
What is your daily ritual?
What are you most grateful for?
I am so lucky and grateful for my loving and caring husband and my supportive family and last but not least the Natalie Marie Jewellery team who are all so hardworking and supportive of each other.
If you were a dessert, what would you be?
Strawberries and cream cake - my absolute favourite.
What is on your Wishlist right now?
A small leather wallet.
And finally, what is your favourite gemstone?
It would be diamonds.. I just can’t get enough haha.
