A Day in the Life of a Jewelry Designer: Coffee, CAD, and Creative Chaos

Ever wonder what it’s like to live a day in the shoes of a jewelry designer? Well, grab your biggest coffee cup, because it’s a ride filled with caffeine, a lot of scribbles, and the occasional "aha!" moment. Today, I’m giving you a front-row seat to the daily chaos (creativity!) that goes on behind the scenes at Stradley & Daughter. Spoiler alert: it’s not all glamorous, but it’s always interesting. 

Watch: Join Sophie for a Day in the Studio

Morning: The Calm Before the Creative Storm
My day begins with coffee. And not just any coffee—this is the kind that makes you believe you can conquer the world (or at least your to-do list). Armed with my favorite notepad, titled "Today's Plan of Attack," I start jotting down what needs to get done. The notepad is divided into three sections: Most critical, would be nice, and not a chance. The boring stuff inevitably lands in the "not a chance" section. Who needs more noise when your brain is already a circus?

In those precious quiet moments, I sit down and try to coax creativity out of hiding. It’s not always easy, but I’ve got my methods: they involve a nice view out the window and a desk littered with post-it notes that range from “brilliant” to “what was I thinking?” These are my ugly sketches—the ones that’ll never see the light of day but are absolutely necessary to get to the good stuff. If you’ve ever wanted to witness creative failure in action, catch me in the mornings when I'm just warming up. Think of it as the jewelry version of Edison’s 1,000 failed lightbulbs.

Midday: CAD, (more) Coffee, and Crafting

Once I’ve got a sketch that I'm happy with, I move on to CAD. For the uninitiated, CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design, and it’s a game-changer in the jewelry world. Most jewelers outsource this, but not us. We do it all in-house, because who better to design your piece than someone who actually knows how to make sure it stays on your finger and not lost forever?

After tweaking the design on my computer (and maybe refilling my coffee cup a few times), it’s time to hit print—literally. Our 3D printer hums away, turning my digital designs into tangible wax or resin models. These are our test runs, the dress rehearsals before the main event. They take a while to print, so I usually have a few running at once. There’s something oddly satisfying about watching these models come to life, even if they’re just stepping stones to the real deal.

Edit: A few weeks later, the pendant from this brainstorming session is complete. Here's what it looks like:

Afternoon: Emails, Repairs, and “Oh Yeah, Lunch”
The afternoon is when the real juggling act begins. Between answering emails, following up with vendors, and fielding questions on social media, there’s never a dull moment. Somewhere in there, I squeeze in a few repairs—today it’s a clasp swap, an earring wire fix, and replacing a small accent stone. Nothing too wild, but these little details matter.

And yes, I inevitably forget to eat lunch. This is standard operating procedure around here. When I do remember, it’s usually a granola bar at my desk while I’m going over the agenda for our upcoming staff meeting. Multitasking at its finest.

Evening: Wrapping Up and Refueling
By the time evening rolls around, I’ve usually made it through about a third of my to-do list. Not bad, considering the unexpected twists and turns the day throws my way. I do a quick review to make sure all equipment is off—no one wants to deal with a torch left on overnight—clean up my desk (tomorrow’s me will thank me for it), and update my weekly to-do list. I’m a creature of habit, and that habit involves a lot of list-checking.

As I grab my water bottle and turn off the lights, I take a last look around. Another day down, another batch of designs ready to bring some joy into the world. It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Why Stradley & Daughter?
Here at Stradley & Daughter, we’re more than just jewelers—we’re storytellers. Each piece we create is a chapter in someone’s life, and we treat it with the care it deserves. From the first sketch to the final polish, we’re with you every step of the way. Don’t just take my word for it, though. Here’s what one of our clients, Emily R., had to say: “Working with Stradley & Daughter to create my custom necklace was an incredible experience. They took my ideas and turned them into something real and beautiful that I wear every day.”

Start Your Custom Journey Today
Ready to start your own jewelry story? Let’s chat! Book a virtual consultation with us and let’s create something truly special together.