Inspiring : Annette Gabbedey, a jeweler born without digits on hand!

Annette Gabbedey, a talented & determined jeweler

"How do you manage with fingers? Because they must get in the way" is what Mrs. Annette Gabbedey says when asked, 'Making jewellery is very tactile, and something you do with your hands, and people ask how I manage to create jewellery, let alone the day to day things."

Annette was born without fingers & of all the problems you could think for a person without fingers, she decided to be a jeweler. She was always encouraged by her family to go out there, she studied jewelry making at school & college before training with the jewelers at London's Hatton Garden. Later at the age of 24, she moved to Somerset & earned a reputation as one of the Opal specialists.

Her belief is that "It is just our own perception of how we look at ourselves. I was born like this, so I have never known anything different."

Annette wears a leather strap under which she slides the file if she needs them. She also has a vice to hold the pieces if needed. She says, "kids need to learn at a young age that this normal, and this world is made up of all different types of people. Lots of people have challenges of different types and mine, I suppose, is my hands. But I don't really see them as a challenge, It is just how they are." 

I admire her willpower & determination.

You can check out her website & collections at Annette Gabbedey Bespoke Jewelry