Meet Janine

Hi, I’m Janine — the hands, heart and slightly overthinking brain behind Glove Jewellery Studio.

I’m a jewellery designer, maker, teacher, mum to two beautiful daughters, and someone who has somehow managed to spend the last 28 years making jewellery after stumbling into the industry almost completely by accident.

These days, my daughters come first, and I’m figuring out how to grow Glove Jewellery around family life — rather than the other way around.

We live on a smallholding about 45 minutes from Cape Town, surrounded by nature, animals and a whole lot of quiet. I love it here, although the social side of me occasionally reminds me that I actually do enjoy people too. 😂

If I had to describe myself in a few words, I’d probably say:

An intense, overthinking empath with FOMO.

It sounds slightly chaotic.

It probably is.

But somewhere along the way, that combination of curiosity, creativity and a tendency to think about absolutely everything brought me to jewellery — and I’m very glad it did.

How it all started

My journey into jewellery was almost completely accidental.

I always knew I wanted to work somewhere in the fashion industry, but after having clothing as a subject at school for so many years, I knew I didn’t want to make clothes.

During my final Matric exams, I was sitting at my best friend’s house, waiting for the two weeks before my last paper to pass, when I asked her what she was planning to do after school.

She told me she was going to study Jewellery Design and Manufacturing at Russell Road College.

Jewellery?

I had never even considered it.

But something clicked.

I went to see the dean and asked if I could still be accepted. He asked me to put together a portfolio — my first ever, despite not having taken art at school.

Somehow, I got in.

And 28 years later, I’m still making jewellery.

Ironically, my friend who introduced me to jewellery left the industry after studying it.

I stayed.

I think I found my passion that day.

A few twists and turns

After completing my 1½-year course at Russell Road College, I knew I wanted to study further. My plan was to move to Cape Town and continue my studies there.

Life, however, had other plans.

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I couldn’t leave home as planned. I stayed, finished my studies and started freelancing.

Then, one Christmas, my mom gave me a ticket to see Alanis Morissette in Cape Town.

So off I went.

And while I was there, I realised something very clearly:

I wanted to live in Cape Town.

Without telling my mom, I went to the lecturers at Cape Technikon and asked if I could be considered for the following year.

I was accepted.

I went home and told my mom, “I’m moving to Cape Town.”

During my studies, I met the wonderful fashion designer Natalie Becker, who gave me the opportunity to sell a range of my jewellery in her boutique, Frock.

It was there that the name Glove Jewellery started to make sense to me — a jewellery and accessories brand that could sit alongside beautiful fashion and clothing.

And so another little chapter began.

28 years of making

One of the things I love most about jewellery is that no two days are the same.

There are so many techniques, materials, styles and possibilities. And when you run your own jewellery business, there is an entirely different side to it too — designing, making, sourcing, selling, marketing, admin, problem-solving and everything in between.

Over the years, I’ve created collections, sold at markets, employed people, taught others my trade and spent time working in the UK, including in the oldest jewellery quarter in the world, where I wanted to learn more about the industry and the business of selling jewellery.

I was also fortunate enough to be part of Kamers for many years, which remains one of the things I’m particularly proud of.

It has been a long, sometimes winding journey — but jewellery has always been there.

A new chapter: sharing what I know

After so many years in the industry, I’ve reached a point where I want to share what I’ve learned.

I love teaching people how to make jewellery, especially people who have never picked up a jewellery tool before.

There is something incredibly rewarding about watching someone start with a piece of wax or metal and then realise:

“I actually made this.”

My workshops and private lessons allow me to work around my family while still doing what I love. They also give me something I’ve realised I really miss — people.

My hope is that when you come into my studio, you don’t simply attend a class.

I want you to feel inspired, learn something new, get your hands dirty and leave feeling like you’ve accomplished something.

The Glove Jewellery experience

I like to keep my classes small and personal.

With my experience, knowledge and passion for jewellery, I can give you more than just a set of instructions. I can help you understand the process, solve problems when things don’t quite go according to plan and encourage you to make something that feels like yours.

Whether you are making your first ring, learning a new skill or simply spending a few hours doing something creative, I want the experience to be memorable.

Because jewellery isn't just about the finished piece.

It’s about the story of how you made it.

What inspires me

My designs are inspired by everyday life, the people I love and the little things that make life special.

Sometimes that becomes something personal, like my Letterlik range, where you can spell out the names or initials of the people who matter most to you.

Sometimes it’s simply a beautiful stone that you fall in love with and want to wear for a special occasion.

I believe there should be jewellery for all kinds of people, personalities and moments.

A little more about me

I spent two years living and working in the UK.

I studied jewellery design and manufacturing for seven years in total.

I am completely obsessed with Dachshunds and would happily own seven of them one day. 😂

I have always loved the ocean and, at one point, seriously considered becoming a marine biologist. I even did a school project on growing abalone.

And one of my big dreams is to travel through Africa and eventually make my way to Europe in our caravan.

So yes — there is probably a little bit of jewellery, a lot of overthinking, some FOMO, an unreasonable number of future Dachshunds and a few big travel dreams going on in my head at any given time.

What’s next for Glove Jewellery?

After 28 years in jewellery, I’m not finished yet.

I’m simply doing things a little differently.

My dream for Glove Jewellery is to create a studio filled with people — people learning, making, experimenting, sharing ideas and discovering that they are capable of creating something beautiful with their own hands.

I want it to be a place where you can come and learn a skill, make your own ring, work on your jewellery, rent a bench, ask questions, or simply spend a few hours doing something creative.

And while I’m building this next chapter, I’m also raising my two girls and learning that success doesn’t always have to look the way you imagined it would.

For me, this chapter is about making space for both.

Family. Creativity. Jewellery. People.

I’ve spent 28 years learning this trade.

Now I want to share what I know.

Welcome to Glove Jewellery Studio.

Come make something with me.