New engraving machine opens up huge possibilities for Burton jeweller

Ashes Memorial Jewellery, founded by jeweller Julia Bochenski in 2017, creates beautiful pieces in memory of loved ones, which incorporate ashes or locks of hair within the metalwork of the jewellery, as well as messages of love or condolences.

Items are made to order for the customer in the business’s workshop, and range from rings, necklaces, pendants, bangles, earrings, and much more.

Much of the business’s work requires precision engraving for handwritten messages and even fingerprints on the jewellery.

However, this work had to be outsourced to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham as the business did not have a machine capable of this in its workshop.

This meant lead times were much longer and costs were increased, but Ashes Memorial Jewellery could not afford to buy its own machine to solve this problem.

After seeking assistance from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, Julia was introduced to the Made Smarter scheme and its Industrial Digital Technology Specialist for the region, Tim Kirby.

Tim visited the business and confirmed a new engraving machine would significantly help Ashes Memorial Jewellery increase its productivity and reduce its costs.

Made Smarter has been the Holy Grail for us – we knew we needed a laser engraver to help us become more competitive, but the expertise and advice given by Made Smarter in applying for a grant was absolutely crucial.

“Now we have the engraving machine here, we are producing fantastic jewellery with a much shorter lead time for our customers, and it is giving us all sorts of ideas for new creations too.”

Julia Bochenski, Founder of Ashes memorial Jewllery