Hello and Welcome!
I’m Melissa, the Founder and Director of The Bejewelled Academy.
I have always been a creative individual and enjoyed making things with card, paper and other craft materials when I was younger. As I grew older, my creative side was buried by the busy-ness of wanting to pursue a corporate career while handling the other responsibilities that came with adulthood!
A few years later an unfortunate turn of events led me to explore this side again as a means of focus and therapy. It was then that I rediscovered my passion for creativity and eventually setup my own jewellery making business. While doing this, I setup small jewellery making workshops in my studio space in order to have another stream of income. I then expanded my offering to more than jewellery making, but a range of different creative workshops and in short, this is how The Bejewelled Academy was born! I have now been running The Bejewelled Academy for over a decade and have had the opportunity to work with a number of organisations to help develop life skills, confidence building, promote family interaction and teach new artistic skills through creative learning. I have worked with people from various walks on life as well as a number of community groups and learning groups including vulnerable women, single parents and groups with learning difficulties. In addition to this, I have mentored young people and adults who have needed support on their own start-up journeys. This is something I continue to do and find very fulfilling.
I have always been passionate about using my skills and experiences to reach others and I doubt this will ever change.
The journey to setting up this business has been both challenging and exciting. I have learnt so much, that I documented some of my experiences in an e-book. I have truly come to value the beauty of creating something from nothing. This is also why I am so passionate about our clubs, workshops and courses – and constantly expanding and developing the learning experiences that are offered through The Bejewelled Academy.
You can find out a little more about me at the links below
Melissa Doussey
Starting From the Bottom Up:
https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/melissa-doussey-how-i-overcame-tragedy-of-my-dad-s-3575760
Surviving the Pandemic:
Melissa’s Pandemic Palava – a story of faith and resourcefulness
Community Work:
A Huge Thank You for Your Kindness at Christmas
A Feature in Anorak Children’s Magazine:
A screenshot of one of my pieces online, as stocked in ASOS at the start of my business journey!