Friend of a Friend: Anna Loucah
The content of this article reflects the views of the writer, and not necessarily those of Ethical Metalsmiths. This article was written for The Source
Anna and I first met when we were both living in East Sussex, UK. We both exhibited at B2C shows in London and the South East of England and we were part of the Sussex Metalsmiths social group who met up once a month to share stories and techniques. After my move to Brussels, we lost touch, but our paths have reconnected as we are both team members for FairLuxUk. Anna is one of the UK's first Fairtrade licensed jewelers.
-Saskia Shutt
Anna Loucah in her studio. Photo taken by Lizzie Nelson Photography.
SS: Where are you right now?
AL: At home in Margate on the Kent coast. We moved here from London in 2020 and I still keep a studio there so it's very much a ‘best of both worlds’ situation.
SS: How did you first get involved in the jewelry world, or in the professional orbit in which you work now?
AL: I have always made things – even as a very young child - so I knew early on that I was going to follow a creative path. It wasn’t until my final year at university that jewelry took over. I picked metal as an extra discipline on my design degree and that was it!
SS: Are you a smith or a maker?
AL: As I’m not formally trained, it took me a long time before I felt I could give myself the title of goldsmith – but I think I’m finally getting the hang of it.
Gold and rough diamond ring by Anna Loucah. Photo courtesy of Julie Sheath.
SS: Do you routinely get your hands dirty/chapped/filed/scarred?
AL: Yes, yes, yes and yes. I often don’t even realize how grubby my hands are until I’m amongst those who don’t have a similar job to me – they must look at my hands and think I’ve been digging in the garden!
SS: Do you have some go-to vendors or suppliers whom you find trustworthy?
AL: I love that our industry is one built on so much trust and of course ethical sourcing is often something that starts from a place of trust. There is still a long way to go but thankfully there is a growing number of suppliers working with tremendous integrity. My fellow Fair Luxury members Stuart Pool of Nineteen48 and Kathy Chappell of Fair Trade Gemstones are always my go- to for colored stones.
SS: Please list five things (more or less) readers can do to make their bench, studio workspace or business more ethical, responsible or ‘green.’ If you are not a bench jeweler or smith, please list five things you can do to make your business more “green” and/or transparent.
AL:
Ask suppliers questions of origin and ethical claims
Educate your customers to do the same
Think a little outside your studio and consider who you bank with / who supplies your electricity, etc.
Refuse, recycle or reuse as many of those little plastic zip lock bags / padded envelopes that seem to be continuously appearing.
Take into consideration the longevity of tools and workshop equipment. Always buy the best that you can afford and they will be your trusty friends for years!
Consider the packaging / promotional materials that you give to your clients. Where does your paper come from? Do you need to give out so much of it? Will packaging be kept and treasured? If not, what will happen to it at the end of its use?
SS: What are your favorite aesthetic inspirations? (Visual, musical, or written)
AL: A lot of my inspiration comes from the metal itself. I love how gold has been worn throughout human history – how it has been treasured and the stories that it tells. The textures that it gains along the way are all part of its journey.
SS: Do you have mantras that keep you motivated, balanced or just plain sane?
AL: ‘I think it's time for a cup of tea.’
SS: What is your favorite way to unwind, relax, or gain perspective?
AL: Living near to the sea in Margate is a real source. Also, myself and my partner are currently renovating a quirky old Victorian house so most of my free time seems to revolve around paint samples and removing rubble. Doesn’t sound particularly relaxing but I love it!
SS: Is there any triumph, big or small, you would like to share, along with a takeaway?
AL: I guess to still be going after almost 20 years in the business and still love it! It’s often not been an easy ride but my passion for my work along with its potential to do good and make people happy is definitely a treasured thing. A lot of people never find their passion so I feel incredibly lucky to have done so. Let that reward keep you going.
Gold and diamond stacking bands. Photo courtesy of Anna Loucah Jewellery.
SS: Is there a set-back you would like to share, along with a takeaway?
AL: There have been a few questionable business decisions that I’ve made along the way. It’s not always easy to see things from an objective point of view when you are at the center of it all, so try and find a good mentor that you respect and listen to their advice.
SS: If you could change one thing about the jewelry industry, what would it be?
AL: I’d eliminate greenwashing and replace it with open, honest and transparent conversation with clearly defined terminology.
SS: How can we -- all of us, collectively -- make the world a more harmonious and just place?
AL: I’m a great believer in the power of one and how your own actions can effect change. We may not feel that we are having any grand impact but collectively moving through life showing compassion, generosity and consideration goes a long way towards creating a more harmonious environment for all of us.
SS: Are there any other artistic or creative people, past or present, you find yourself consistently thinking about for inspiration in your work?
AL: If we were to replace the word ‘artistic’ with ‘artisanal’ then I’d have to say it’s the millions of miners who get our raw materials out of the ground.
SS: Do you have any advice for young people or anyone starting out in a new job?
AL: Always value your time and creativity and don’t be disheartened when you inevitably make mistakes. Just learn from them, congratulate yourself for trying and move on.
A stack of wide and thin gold and diamond rings by Anna Loucah. Photo courtesy of Anna Loucah Jewellery.
SS: What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out as a jeweler, maker, entrepreneur, or artist that you know now?
AL: Don’t be in a rush and certainly don’t compare yourself to others. The creative process isn’t something that can be forced so just enjoy learning and growing at your own pace. Also, don’t work too hard – be kind to yourself!
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