Local Childers woman Jessica Harper has risen through the ranks of her jewellery manufacturer apprenticeship and has recently opened her own shop in the main street.
The business woman is the proud owner of Fairytale Endings, now situated at 80 Churchill Street, specialising in jewellery repairs, restorations, remodelling and custom makes.
Jessica said she originally started her business three years ago working from her home studio, but had always dreamt of her own shopfront in town.
“It is pretty good that we now have the shop and we have received great response from the public,” she said.
“People are saying how good it is to have a jeweller back in town again.”
Jessica operates the only jewellery store in the area and said business was booming since opening.
“It has been a lot busier now that we are at the shop,” she said.
“The response from customers has been huge. Everyone has been so supportive and excited that there is a jeweller in Childers again.”
Jessica said she started her apprenticeship at the original jewellers that was once established in the shop at 80 Churchill Street.
She said the industry was not something she had considered before, but with a little support from her Dad, it turned into a career she loved.
“My journey started when I was buying a piece of jewellery from the local jewellers that was in Childers and my Dad asked them if they would be willing to put on an apprentice,” Jessica said.
“I did a week of work experience and I really enjoyed it so it went from there.
“Then I moved on to a school-based apprenticeship for a few years before becoming full time.”
Jessica said she won multiple awards during her time at Tafe and was now able to utilise her skills and creativity within her own designs at Fairytale Endings.
“It is very exciting to be able to get really creative,” she said.
“You put your own designs out there and people get to see what you can do.”
Fairytale Endings utilises creativity in design work
Jessica said she used many tools for making unique jewellery pieces, with each design catering to the customers needs.
“I mainly design lots of rings for customers using old family heirlooms to be recreated to something more modern and to their liking,” she said.
“I make jewellery on site, starting with metal which is rolled and forged with our hand tools.
“Then it is soldered and I make settings with setting plates before joining all of the components together to create the finished product.”
Fairytale Endings is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm at 80 Churchill Street, Childers.
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Am enjoying the daily emails. Good to hear what is happening in Bundaberg & surrounds. Keep them coming.