New bespoke jewellery shop opens on Watergate Street in Chester

Aug 4 2011 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

MICHELLE Nazar finally has what she calls her ‘dream job’.

After slaving away in a bakery for 20 years, Michelle Nazar knew she wasn’t happy.

“I had no passion at all for food,” she said. “It was just a job. My real passion was for design and for fashion, but I never thought it was a possibility for me to use that in business.”

Michelle, 45, recently launched her bespoke jewellery store Coloured Earth in Watergate Street, after being based in Wrexham since 2009.

During a trip to India she was inspired by women making intricate jewellery. She came home with a stash of gemstones and set to work designing and making one-off pieces.

She started by making jewellery for family and friends until one day, at a trade fair, she was approached by Make Jewellery magazine.

“It was just the confidence boost I needed,” she said.

“I had a project featured in the magazine every month and before I knew it one of my pieces had been featured in Vogue. It was amazing.”

After starting off slowly and selling to other outlets, Michelle left the bakery behind and set up her own shop, a move which she said was not without its drawbacks.

She said: “I’m really lucky that my husband has been so supportive. Business has been tough.

“But you have to keep going, you have to persevere. There are tough times, but you can overcome them.

“Some people do still have money to spend, and they want something different. There wouldn’t have been any point in setting up as an independent if I sold the same as the department stores, so that brings people in.

“It’s important, if you want to start your own business, to do your research. Find out what’s out there, look at the latest trends and, most of all, go with your instincts.

“My instincts told me this was what I should be doing and they were absolutely right. It’s my dream job and even though there were times when I wondered if it was the right thing to do, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Coloured Earth is at 51, Watergate Street, Chester, telephone 01244 639006.