Raise Your Game: What sort of training did you do to get where you are?

Nicola Palterman: We took two different approaches as independent jewellers. We both trained at the school of jewellery in Birmingham. It involved a lot of technical instruction.

Mari Thomas: That was a very traditional course, but both our backgrounds are based in art.

NP: Once I had finished that course I went to work for a Welsh Gold company up in Dolgellau. Mari went on to further studies and we lost touch for a number of years. Between us we have about 30 years of experience in the field.

RYG: What would I need to do in order to enrol on a jewellery course in university?

MT: Some people are traditionally trained. Some people do an apprenticeship. We came from an art background. As a result we're designers first and foremost. It's best to go to school or college and learn the basic skills you need.

RYG: How much talent do you need to work in your field?

NP: To a degree you can be taught and developed, but to work in any artistic field you need to have a certain level of natural ability.

MT: You've got to have flair and a passion for it. If you've got that, you never know where it'll take you. You learn from every project you do. The Prince William Cup was a tremendous learning curve for us. At one stage we had to work with some silversmiths to get a little bit of advice. You never stop learning.

RYG: If someone wanted to do work experience with you, what kind of things would you be looking for?

NP: There has to be a flair for the subject. We don't expect somebody on work experience to know exactly what to do when they're asked to set a stone or form a piece of metal. It's all about their attitude and enthusiasm.

RYG: What advice would you give to young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?

NP: Work hard and follow your dream. We never thought that we'd be standing here discussing this. It just goes to show that, if you work hard, you'll obviously reap the benefits.

MT: You have to be true to yourself and work hard at it.