Eight years after graduating from university, two friends from Co Antrim have spoken of their delight at setting up their own jewellery business and receiving recognition from prestigious organisations.
Martin Cameron and Laura Breen, based in Randalstown, studied Jewellery and Silversmithing at the University of Ulster in Belfast and graduated together in 2014.
After graduating, Martin began to work for another jewellers, while Laura spent a few years travelling. On her return, she realised she wanted to set up her own jewellery business.
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In 2018, Cameron and Breen was born. The pair find their influences in the landscape of Northern Ireland, and take pride in being able to create unique pieces of art jewellery.
"In particular, we're both fascinated by the man-made ancient ruins found in the landscape, which I think is very unique to here," Laura told Belfast Live.
"Some of our jewellery has hand engraved patterns and this is very much influenced by stone carvings and ancient celtic design, as well as ancient jewellery. We often go to the Ulster Musuem to get our inspiration as well."
This year, the contemporary goldsmiths were one of nine emerging makers selected by the Goldsmiths Centre in London as part of their SHINE 2022 programme. SHINE celebrates up and coming UK designer makers and presents new collections hand-picked for their talent and skill.
Martin said: "It was quite a big deal for us to be involved in the SHINE programme, as we were only one of nine UK designers to be chosen for that. Goldsmiths is probably the most prestigious organisation there is in the jewellery industry in the UK, which makes this quite a big deal. These are things you aim towards while you're studying."
"We've had work on display in exhibitions in London before but we've never personally been there, so it was really overwhelming to see the response, and to see people as excited about our work as we are. We got a lot of really positive feedback from everyone," Laura added.
Last year, the pair were asked to create a bespoke design for a VIP's visit to Northern Ireland. Not knowing who the celebrity was, they created a brooch, before finding out Princess Anne was on the receiving end.
"It was a bit of a shock for us but it was brilliant," Laura said.
"We were emailed by Antrim Borough Council to say there was a VIP guest coming to Antrim Castle Gardens to open a new garden and they wanted us to design a piece of jewellery for her. We pitched the idea to them and a couple of days before she arrived, they came to collect the brooch, then we found out it was Princess Anne."
For anyone wishing to follow their own dreams into a career in jewellery making, Martin and Laura said you need to "get yourself out there and go for it."
Laura said: "We knew starting out this was going to be hard. Any route you go down to earn a living from a career in arts is always going to be difficult.
"But I think if you persist and your passion is strong enough, just get yourself out there and go for it. There's a lot of skilled courses you can do, especially over in London."
Martin added: "We knew there wasn't a huge market here for what we do considering it's all handmade, it's a bit different - but it's not going to happen unless you just do it. We get a lot of opportunity here in Northern Ireland from the Arts Council and people should really avail of their help as well."
As for their favourite part of their job, they said being trusted to create unique pieces for special occasions is a great feeling.
"It's amazing to be trusted to create something so sentimental, the likes of engagement rings and wedding bands - something people hold on for years and pass down to children as well. We're very privileged to have this as a job," Laura said.
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