Laurie McGrath

Laurie’s been in her current role at Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery since 2022. Before that, she was a Design Assistant then Senior Designer and Branch Manager in North Hertfordshire.

As of 2017, she began her specialism in CAD including eventually setting up a new distinct CAD department. Particularly, she’s enjoying training our next generation of in-house CAD designers, of which their combined talent is endless.

Laurie has an MA in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery from the Royal College of Art, London. Essentially this is what led to her launching a career with us in 2011!

Since then, she’s developed exceptional skills, first advancing to CAD training in 2014 alongside her designer role. As a result of years of experience, she has a solid customer base producing remarkable designs for each of them. In fact, one of the most significant commissions came in 2015. She collaborated with a Royal Navy Commander and his officers to design a bespoke brooch worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

An inspiring art teacher is to thank for Laurie’s initial artistic path. After all it was him who convinced her to direct her talents towards a career in the creative arts. Consequently, she enrolled on an Art Foundation course after finishing A Levels.

Laurie then embarked on a degree in Applied Arts at the University of Hertfordshire and unsurprisingly achieved a 1st. This university journey without a doubt gave her many opportunities to broaden her skillset, including a term abroad. As part of an Erasmus scheme at the National Academy of Art in Sofia  she joined their BA Metal Programme. Beyond that, she exhibited work at the ‘New Designers’ Exhibition, Islington, and ‘Designer Crafts at The Mall’ in the Mall Galleries, London.

In essence, Laurie loves design. Be it elegant influences, modern art or surrealism she’s fascinated by bringing sketches to life via 3D technology.