Collection: About us, hallmarking & all the back office stuff!

I'm Mizz Cat owner & Director of Mizzicats. Based in Colne, Lancashire Mizzicats is tucked away on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border and living 10 minutes away from open countryside means I'm heavily influenced by nature.

I love the beach and have been collecting fossils, pebbles & shells all of my life. I find great amusement in the weird and wonderful world around me and being a nurse I'm surrounded by both darkness and light. As a descendent of the Pendle Witches I also have a love of folklore and nature. I try to live a 'good' life, try to be kind and I'm an enabling sort of person. I'm a firm believer in providing support & encouragement and I don't engage in one-upmanship ever. The items in my shop are honest & true designed to evoke faith, hope & trust in yourself like all talismans.

I love going for walks with my other half, my two cats, my grown up kiddies, friends and family. I also love motorbikes but sadly, my track-day days are over due to vertigo and some random muscle wasting condition. I have a zest for life, I love learning and I'm a natural creator.

Each piece I make evolves, alters with the changing light of the day and is made with love and good intentions. I use a combination of traditional metalsmithing, die pressing very small pebbles (thanks Gemina Ltd for my new obsession), wire wrapping and silk cord knotting for my semi precious & precious gemstones. It all depends on the piece I'm working on to be honest. The rough diamonds I have are 2-3mm with a 0.3-0.4mm hole so for these I have to use 0.3mm fine silver which is remarkably strong and doesn't tarnish. By the same token I have some Amethyst beads with 2mm so these are best with 1mm leather cord. 

I'm a fully paid up member of the Guild of Jewellery Designers, I'm registered with London Assays Office for hallmarking in accordance with UK law but the majority of my work falls under the limit for hallmarking (7.78 grams). Sometimes I will Hallmark underweight items especially high value items like my opals & fine gemstones. I continue to work on my Gemmology training due to my interest in gemstones & the value added to my wee business.

My gemstones and rocks are all ethically & responsibly sourced. My gemstones are predominantly accompanied by well respected gem reports, natural & untreated. Occasionally, they will be treated but all treatments are disclosed and industry recognised - treatments do not affect the gemstone but can enhance them. Whilst this means that my gemstone items may be more expensive, it also means my items retain their value and may increase in value over time as an investment.