For 25 years, Lucy Kemp Jewellery has been creating handmade sterling silver jewellery inspired by the beauty of Cornwall, meaningful moments and timeless everyday style.
What began as an evening silversmithing course alongside a full-time job has grown into an award-winning independent jewellery business with a loyal customer base, a thriving workshop and a beautiful shop in the heart of Hayle.
As we celebrate 25 years of LKJ, we’re looking back at the story so far — from bedroom workbenches and garden sheds to trade shows, workshops, high street shops and a fantastic community of customers who have supported us every step of the way.
Where It All Began
Back in 2000, Lucy married her high school sweetheart Keith — now affectionately known as “Mr Kemp” — around the same time she began taking evening classes in silversmithing.
What started as a creative hobby quickly became a passion.
By 2001, Lucy had registered as self-employed, making jewellery alongside her day job and developing her skills piece by piece. Her first workspace was a corner of the bedroom before eventually transforming the family garden shed into a jewellery workshop.
Like many small handmade businesses, Lucy Kemp Jewellery started with determination, creativity and a lot of late nights.
Building a Handmade Jewellery Brand in Cornwall
During the early 2000s, Lucy began showcasing her jewellery at local craft fairs, markets and shows across Cornwall.
Her handmade sterling silver jewellery quickly gained attention for its wearable designs, thoughtful details and contemporary coastal style. Before long, galleries and independent shops began stocking Lucy Kemp Jewellery collections — many of which still stock the brand today.
Through networking, local events and word of mouth, Lucy slowly built a reputation as an up-and-coming jewellery designer in Cornwall.
From Market Stalls to the First LKJ Shop
As the business continued to grow, Lucy moved into her first dedicated workshop and retail space in The Old Foundry Chapel in Hayle — known locally as Pratt’s Market.
For the first time, Lucy Kemp Jewellery had a proper shop and workshop space outside the family home.
By 2009, the business expanded again into a larger downstairs premises, allowing the brand to continue growing while balancing family life after welcoming baby Jack.
The little garden shed workshop had officially been outgrown.
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Growing Across the UK
Throughout the 2010s, Lucy Kemp Jewellery became increasingly well known both locally and nationally.
The brand continued attending trade shows across the UK and expanded into online platforms including Etsy and Not On The High Street, helping more customers discover LKJ handmade sterling silver jewellery.
Over the years, Lucy Kemp Jewellery has also been proudly stocked by independent boutiques and gift shops throughout the UK.
During this period, LKJ was honoured to win the Muddy Stilettos Award for “Best Jewellery Store in Cornwall” in 2016, 2017 and 2019 — a huge milestone for the growing business.
Handmade Jewellery Through Challenging Times
Like many independent businesses, 2020 brought enormous challenges.
After 12 years at Pratt’s Market, Lucy Kemp Jewellery moved into a new workshop space — a beautiful rural barn conversion still based in Hayle, Cornwall.
At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic changed daily life overnight.
The LKJ team adapted quickly, working from home where possible while Keith personally hand-delivered orders to local customers during lockdowns. The support from customers during this time meant everything to the business.
2020 also marked another important milestone as Keith officially joined the company full-time after a career as a groundskeeper. Today, he works alongside Lucy as both jewellery maker and company director.
A New High Street Chapter
In a moment of perfect timing, Lucy spotted a “To Let” sign on Hayle’s Penpol Terrace while driving through town.
Although moving into a high street shop during uncertain times felt daunting, the opportunity was too good to miss.
The first LKJ high street shop opened at 55 Penpol Terrace, giving customers a welcoming space to browse handmade sterling silver jewellery in person while allowing the business to continue growing online too.
As the years passed, the team expanded, the workshop grew and the business evolved once again.
Lucy Kemp Jewellery Today
Today, Lucy Kemp Jewellery creates handmade eco sterling silver jewellery from its Cornwall workshop, with collections inspired by the coast, meaningful gifting and timeless everyday wear.
From delicate necklaces and birthstone spinner rings to sterling silver earrings and personalised jewellery, every piece is designed with care by Lucy and handmade by the LKJ team.
In 2021, the business won The Small Awards “Bricks and Clicks” award celebrating successful multi-channel small businesses, recognising the blend of high street retail, workshop craftsmanship and online growth that has become central to LKJ.
Lucy also completed her Fine Jewellery Diploma in 2023, continuing to develop new techniques and skills after more than two decades in the industry.
At the end of 2024, the opportunity arose to move into a much larger, brighter shop just a few doors down from the original Penpol Terrace location.
In March 2025, the doors officially opened to the beautiful new Lucy Kemp Jewellery shop at 32 Penpol Terrace.
Looking Ahead
This year marks 25 years of Lucy Kemp Jewellery — and what a journey it has been.
From a bedroom workbench and garden shed workshop to a thriving Cornwall jewellery business with a dedicated team, loyal customers and a beautiful new shop, LKJ has always remained rooted in creativity, craftsmanship and community.
Most importantly, none of it would have been possible without the incredible support of customers over the years.
Whether you discovered Lucy Kemp Jewellery at a craft fair many years ago, visit the Hayle shop regularly or found us online more recently — thank you for being part of our story.
We can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
Explore Lucy Kemp Jewellery
- Shop Earrings
- Shop Necklaces
- Shop Birthstone Jewellery
- Visit Our Hayle Shop