Keira Walker
Study Type: Adult and Community
Study Location: Ilkeston
Subject Studied: Community Learning
Keira learns IT and sustainability skills as well as creative ones on DCG course.
Jewellery maker Keira Walker has furthered more than her creative skills while on a part-time crafting course with Derby College Group.
Keira, who has her own business, Fruit Loop Jewellery, has brushed up on her IT knowledge, as well as becoming greener in her approach to crafting.
She is currently doing the Level 1 Award in Creative Craft at DCG’s Ilkeston College after initially taking the six-week introductory course in upcycling and crafting.
Keira’s previous business, making celebration cakes at home, was badly hit in the pandemic when no social gathering meant no birthday parties and weddings.
After Covid ended, she realised she much preferred decorating cakes to baking them, so set up her new venture, creating polymer costume jewellery in the shape of miniature foods.
She said: “I signed up for the six-week course at Ilkeston after seeing it on Facebook. It was great so I enrolled on the one-year level 1 course and will definitely move on to level 2.
“The world is changing and we all need to be more environmentally aware. I’ve learned so much about recycling and upcycling – making use of the materials we already have at home.
“I’ve never been into technology but learning online also taught me how to put together a portfolio. I’m now using my new IT skills to build a website for my business.
“That surprised me as I didn’t expect to get that from a creative course.”
Keira, 34, who embarked on a law degree before having her two daughters, is pleased that she followed a different career path instead.
She added: “Not everyone is supposed to be in an office or working in a corporate job.
“I enjoyed art at school, but back then I thought it just meant drawing and painting – not the many other possibilities art brings such as modelling with clay.
“Ilkeston College is such a warm, welcoming place to learn too. It has a lovely cafeteria where we all meet up before class.
“I’m now starting my final project, a lampshade re-using materials I’ve found in charity shops, in scrap stores and at home.”
Keira promotes her work through Instagram and Facebook as well as selling it at local shows and large events such as the festive craft fair at the NEC.
It was great so I enrolled on the one-year level 1 course and will move on to level 2.