Discover the dogs of Tunbridge Wells

Bella (above), is an eight-year-old Labrador, who happens to live in my lovely granny’s old house in Tunbridge Wells. Thinking about that house brings back so many happy memories!

A bit of background to my Tunbridge Wells shop

Hello, I’m Catherine and I design and make jewellery from my shop and atelier (a fancy word I’ve always liked for a designer or artist’s workshop) in the heart of the historic Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells.

After graduating from The Royal College of Art in London I was lucky to find my first studio at the wonderful Cockpit Arts in Holborn. So when I moved out of London with my young family, I loved the idea of creating a space to make jewellery where I could also showcase my finished collections – as in a Victorian workshop.

A place to call my own

It’s just me, and I open up the shop part of my atelier on Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week. I use the rest of the time to juggle family life with designing and making jewellery commissions and my collections. One thing I didn’t anticipate when I opened the shop was how much I would enjoy being connected to the local community.

Canine customers

I’ve always loved animals and I welcome dogs (and their owners!) into my shop. My family has had a succession of three wonderful Gordon Setters. Chatting about dogs is always such a great way to break the ice and I really enjoy photographing the dogs that come into the shop for my social media.

Dog diary

I thought it would be fun to share with you here some of the dogs that have visited the shop over the last year. Many are local dogs from Tunbridge Wells who have then enjoyed a run around nearby Tunbridge Wells Common but I’ve also had plenty of visitors from across Kent, Sussex and London.

Catherine Hills Jewellery Atelier, dogs, labradorThose eyes – Oscar, a four year old Labrador had a good look around my workshop to see if I had any food going!

Catherine Hills Jewellery Atelier, dogs in the shopDagan, a seven-year-old Springer Spaniel, came to check that his owners’ bespoke engagement and wedding rings fitted and were to his taste. He preferred the window seat to the rings!

Catherine Hills Jewellery Atelier, dogs in the shop, labradoodle-setter crossA friend, Juliet, popped in so I could alter her wedding ring. She brought the beautiful one-year-old Nala – look at those long legs! Her mum is a Labradoodle and her dad is a Red Setter.

Catherine Hills Jewellery Atelier, dogs, long-haired jack russellMeet Colin, a long-haired Jack Russell, who belongs to my neighbours Rod and Pia who run 31B Hair just along the Lower Pantiles.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, catahoula leaopard dogMy shop had been unusually quiet on the doggy front until I had a visit from Juno, who was rescued from a dog pound in Cyprus. She has one blue and one brown eye and is a total beauty! Her owners think she’s a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, maltipooSugar is a Maltipoo (a 50/50 Maltese Terrier / Poodle cross) who belongs to the wonderfully talented Lara from Darling & Wild, my favourite flower shop, conveniently just around the corner in Tunbridge Wells on Nevill Street.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, maltipooRufus, Sugar’s son and another Maltipoo, also stopped by.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, whippetThis is Bert, a Whippet, who has such a kind and gentle nature. He visited me just before the start of Crufts (my guilty pleasure).

Catherine Hills Jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, tibetan terrierViolet, a two year old Tibetan Terrier, paw’sed in the shop, having had a good look round.

Catherine Hills Jewellery, dogs in the atelier, tri English setterMeet Bertie, he's a three year old Tri English Setter with amazing eyes.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, norfolk terrierHow could you say no to this face? Archie, a six-year-old Norfolk Terrier, stopped by to say hello.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, french bulldogThis is Bijoux, a French Bulldog who belongs to my neighbours Gastronomia.G, the lovely Italian restaurant at 7 The Pantiles. I just love the fact that she’s called Bijoux (French for jewellery). She was so at home when she visited the shop.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, jack russellEric, a one-year-old Jack Russell, had such a playful nature but did sit still for long enough to have his photograph taken!

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, cocker spanielPepper is a nine-month-old show Cocker Spaniel. She had such a beautiful coat and kind eyes.

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, border collieLucy, a six-year-old Collie, visited me on the same day as Pepper. It felt like a day of just doggie customers!

Catherine Hills jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, bolonka russian lap dogGilli, a Bolonka Russian lap dog came in while her owner tried on my new gemstone ring. She was very good in the shop - she never leaves here owner's side.

Catherine Hills Jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, Tri English setterHandsome Monty lives with Beau! Looking smart by the bespoke cabinet.

Catherine Hills Jewellery atelier, dogs in the shop, terrierThis week's four-legged visitor…. Hello Beau!

Catherine Hills Jewellery, dogs in the shop, long-haired Jack RussellPatriotic pooch Betty popped in to check out the sale on Saturday!

Next time you are in Tunbridge Wells do stop by and say hello. You can find my atelier and shop at 21 The Pantiles, TN2 5TD.