Abigail Chui

Based in Birmingham, UK
helloabigailchui@gmail.com

Full right to work in the UK
Full UK driving license

Hello, I am a Jill of many trades, master of none, but decently good at some. I’ve spent the last decade in various forms of project management in order to make meaningful jewellery in precious materials. Since moving to the UK (from Singapore), I’ve discovered a whole new world of food and the wild (gardens, forests, and the like), the effects it has on us and how it builds community.

I believe in being good stewards of our environment, that education is a powerful tool, and that curiosity is sacred. In keeping with this statement I’ve been repeating since 2014, I’m now looking for a career change towards whole foods, the garden, and where possible, conservation.

Looking forward to working together.


EXPERIENCES + WORK

  • Take individual clients through the bespoke jewellery journey, from design to receiving the finished piece. I source, design, liaise with independent makers to produce high quality, personal jewellery for bespoke clients and businesses. Great client experience and genuine care, plus an intuitive understanding of what my client needs (and wants) before they grasp it themselves, has kept my clients coming back. Marketing my services has never been necessary.

    Skills practiced and delevoped throughout this period include, but aren’t limited to:

    • International operations and logistics

    • B2B and B2C sales and client relationship development

    • Quotations creation and basic accounting

    • Communications with various stakeholders

    • Quality control

    • Event planning, coordination and execution

    • Product design, sampling and manufacturing

    • Data entry, record keeping and systems organisation

  • Fairs attended, under the employ of E & Co Jewellery Pte Ltd:

    • Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show, Sharjah, 2022

    • Jewellery Arabia Bahrain, 2022

    • Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show, Sharjah, 2023

    Travelling with an ever-changing team to sell jewellery to a wide range of clients from multiple cultures, most of whom are expert price negotiators. The role included getting down and dusty installing and packing down at large jewellery fairs, working with the fair’s operational team, communications with our independently hired logistics teams, and building relationships with other vendors around us. Quick thinking and resourcefulness was the name of this game.

  • A short 1-month stint in a family-run natural diamond supplier to look into sourcing, meeting, selling to, and negotiating with new clients, as well as building on existing relationships

  • My job scope in this position encompassed more than just sourcing and maintaining supplies for this small bespoke jewellery company. I was running the day-to-day operations, from legal and administrative paperwork, to designing, managing manufacturing partners and running our factory. I was also doing client facing sales, and I am proud to say, we worked well together to close almost 2 million in sales in the 1.5 years I was leading the team. This led to valuators and investors taking note of the company, which eventually led to further partnerships.

    While I have learnt and done much during these two years, the thing that I am most proud of is the growth of the team. With some intentional decision making and some time, we managed to build comraderie amongst ourselves, a group of people who would otherwise never interact in regular life. Capitlising on our individual interests and skills to not only work well together, but to deliver better products and excellent service to our clients.

  • Designing and working with the manufacturing team to create CAD drawings in accordance to the designer’s vision. Renders were produced for clients to approve, and printable 3D files for casting. This was my initiation into having explicit and exacting quality requirements in the work that I do. It was my personal mantra of anything worth doing is worth doing well in action. 

  • Planned, organised and hosted a range of jewellery making workshops. These ranged from private to group sessions for primary school age to working adults.

  • Represented Silversmithing and Jewellery BA course at this symposium. It was in its second year and gaining momentum, while also trying to find its feet.

    The resource they were putting together was exciting because it up till then, there weren’t any practical information or help beginner jewellers could turn to for ethical making. I was honoured to be able to listen in and be a part of that buzz, even if only to add an extra bum on seats.

    My attendance at the symposium was funded by the GSA Sustainable Fund, for which I had applied and was sucessfully granted.

  • Represented Silversmithing and Jewellery BA course at this inaugural symposium. I learnt the nuances of the word ethical and what a big world it was. This gathering of passionate individuals was the beginnings of my ethical making journey, one that proved to be paralysing but also empowering

    My attendance at the symposium was funded by the GSA Sustainable Fund, for which I had applied and was sucessfully granted.

    • Plan, coordinate and run operations for programmes for adults based on the current exhibitions, themes and sometimes, specific artworks.

    • Assist in the smooth running of guided curator tours.

    • Create teaching resources for school teachers and students.

    • Facilitate operations for external vendors to run kindergarten programmes in the museum.

    • Plan, coordinate and run internal, by-invite-only, and public events like docents appreciation dinners and exhibition launches.

    • Assist in exhibition installations where necessary

    • Maintain programme and interactive areas of exhibitions, especially within exhibits that cater more to children.

  • A part time job (while studying for a diploma) to gain some experience and exposure to working with, educating and encouraging children and toddlers. My main class was aged 5-6 years, but where needed, I would cover for the 3-4 year olds groups too.


EDUCATION

2019 - 2020
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (London), Gemmology Foundation

2015 - 2019
Glasgow School of Art (Scotland), Bachelor (Hons) in Jewellery and Silversmithing

2017 - 2018
Bezalel Academy of Art and Design (Israel), Erasmus Programme

2012 - 2015
Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), Diploma in Arts Business Management


2019
Inlay in wood, under tutelage of Joachim Tantau, Princes School of Traditional Arts, London

2018
Jade lapidary, under tutelage of Ping Shu, Singapore

2018
Sacred geometry, and traditional paint making, under tutelage of Hana Louise Shahnavaz and Daniel Docherty, East Sussex

2018
Glass lampwork, under tutelage of Helen Chalmers, Edinburgh

2018
Willow weaving, under tutelage of Anna Liebmann, Edinburgh

2017
Eco dyeing, under Laura Aldridge, Cove Park, and Julia Billings, Glasgow


EXHIBITIONS + CREATIVE PROJECTS

2024
National Wedding Show, London ExCEL, London (Vendor)

2019
Cluster Crafts | Jewellery Edition, London (Exhibitor)

2019
Glasgow School of Art Degree Show, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland (Exhibitor)

2019
New Designers, London (Exhibitor)

2018
Facets, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland (Exhibitor)

2017
Tekhnology, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland (Exhibitor)

2016
New Dreams, BBC Scotland and Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow University (Exhibitor)

2016
Construction / Deconstruction, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland (Exhibitor)

2014
Ocean of Possibilities, ArtScience Museum, Singapore (Exhibitor)

2013, 2014
Arts Business Management Open House, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore (Exhibitor)

2013
Where the Wild Things Are, for Arts Fiesta 2013, Arts Appreciation Club, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore (Exhibitor)

2013
Malay Heritage Centre Brochure, Malay Heritage Centre, Singapore (Designer)

2013
Welcome To My World 2013, Very Special Arts Singapore, Singapore (Designer)


PAST + ONGOING PROJECTS

2024
LORE Fine Jewels
Designer
Uncompromising fine jewellery with a practical sensibility that’s hand made to order. Delicately balancing the romance of the day and the ordinariness of every other day.

2018-2019
STEP
Designer
A no-fluff, flexible organiser system that helps creatives and entrepreneurs get things done

2015-2016
STAPLE
Co-Founder, Operations Manager
A themed quarterly journal started by four friends about culture and lifestyle

2013
SharingMTthinking
Co-Founder, Team Leader
A student-initiated community art project aimed at encouraging people to be more expressive with gratitude

2013
Verve Arts Festival
Publicity and Outreach Manager
A one-day arts festival organised by Year 2 Arts Business Management students at The Arts House


VOLUNTEERING

2024-present
Therapeutic Horticulture Support Volunteer, Martineau Gardens, Birmingham UK

2024-present
Children's leader (aged 5-7), The Gate Church, Birmingham UK

2023
Kids’ Coach (aged 7-8), Kingdomcity, Singapore

2017-2019
Events assistant, then events manager, C7 Church, Glasgow UK

2015-2016
Estates assistant, C7 Church, Glasgow UK


SCHOLARSHIPS + AWARDS

2019
Talent Spotted 2019, Goldsmiths’ Centre

2019
One Year In - SPOTTED, New Designers

2016/17, 2017/18
Sustainability in the Arts Grant, Glasgow School of Art

2013/14, 2014/15
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Merit Award, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

2013
Talent in the Arts Grant, Ngee Ann Polytechnic