Learning a New Craft: My Jesmonite Journey

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One of the things I love most about running Rockways Designs is that I'm always learning something new.

Since starting the business in 2018, I've gone from making jewellery to creating bath products, learning sublimation printing and designing my own range of mugs and coasters. More recently, I've discovered another creative obsession – Jesmonite.

Like many creative hobbies, it started with curiosity.

I'd seen beautiful handmade home décor online and was fascinated by the soft, stone-like finish and endless possibilities. Before long, I found myself researching colours, moulds and techniques, wondering what I could create.

So, naturally, I had to give it a go!

Learning by Experimenting

If you've ever worked with a new material, you'll know that things don't always go perfectly the first time.

Jesmonite has definitely been a learning experience.

I've spent many happy hours experimenting with mixing techniques, colour combinations and different moulds. Every pour teaches me something new, whether it's how colours blend together, how marbling behaves, or how tiny changes can produce completely different results.

Sometimes a piece turns out exactly as I'd imagined. Other times, the unexpected result ends up becoming my favourite.

That's one of the joys of handmade products – every piece has its own character.

Discovering Marbling

One technique I've particularly fallen in love with is marbling.

No two pieces are ever identical, and that's exactly what makes them special.

Watching colours swirl together before pouring is one of the most satisfying parts of the process. Once the piece is removed from the mould, there's always a little excitement because you never quite know how the finished pattern will look.

It's a lovely reminder that handmade really does mean unique.

Creating Beautiful Home Accessories

As my confidence with Jesmonite has grown, so has the range of products I'm making.

At the moment, I'm especially enjoying creating:

• Flower-shaped trinket trays

• Single tea light holders

• Double tea light holders

  
  

These pieces are perfect for adding a little colour and personality to a home, whether they're used to hold jewellery, keys, loose change or simply displayed as decorative pieces.

I'm constantly trying new colour combinations, from soft, calming shades to bold marbled effects, and every batch feels like a new adventure.

Handmade Means Every Piece Is Different

One of the things I love most about Jesmonite is that no two pours are ever exactly the same.

Even when I use the same colours, the marbling develops differently every time. Tiny variations in the way the material flows create patterns that simply can't be repeated.

That's part of the beauty of buying handmade. Instead of owning something identical to thousands of others, you're receiving a piece that's genuinely one of a kind.

Always Learning

I'm still very much at the beginning of my Jesmonite journey, and that's what makes it so exciting.

There are new moulds I'd like to try, new techniques to learn and plenty more colour combinations waiting to be discovered. Every project teaches me something that I can take into the next one.

It's a craft that rewards patience, experimentation and creativity – three things I really enjoy.

Looking to the Future

Jesmonite has opened up a whole new creative direction for Rockways Designs, and I'm excited to see where it leads.

Alongside my collection of original mugs and coasters, these handcrafted home accessories bring something different to the range while still reflecting the same love of beautiful design and attention to detail.

What started as a simple desire to try something new has quickly become another passion.

I hope you enjoy following the journey as much as I'm enjoying creating it, and I can't wait to share the next chapter with you.