After four and a half years in Teddington, Lisa Eley is closing her bespoke jewellery store Amulette and leaving for Devon.  

Self-taught, Lisa first started learning how to make jewellery while her children were growing up. Since then, she has been a jewellery designer for over 19 years, and running Amulette for the last 10.  

The name Amulette refers to an amulet or talisman: symbolic jewellery believed to have magical properties. 

"An amulet is a lucky charm," Lisa says. "It goes back centuries as Egyptians had amulets. It's meant to ward off evil, protect you from danger and keep you safe." 

Much of the language around Lisa's jewellery designs has a mystical air about it, whether it is based on charms or symbols. From necklaces, earrings and rings, each one is delicately and intricately handmade. 

"I love the idea that customers come into my shop, and they will buy something for their daughter who is going travelling," Lisa explains. 

Amulette's logo is a bear; Lisa says her jewellery is often used as a present for mums. "Like mummy bear," she adds.   

She says in her 'jewellery journey', most people have a treasure piece, be it of value or simple something we just carry around. 

Lisa's love of jewellery began with her mum's button tin. Roll forward a few decades and the buttons have turned into sparkly jewellery, handcrafted with recycled gold and silver and made with meaning. 

All the jewellery is ethically created in the UK. "I'm not trying to compete against the Highstreet because I can't," Lisa says bluntly. 

"What I offer is unique jewellery which is looking at the bigger picture of the environment. When consumers are shopping, they are putting the environment first, and buying them a piece which is going to last them forever." 

At the beginning, Lisa was working in a studio at home. Then, after moving to Teddington, she was able to have her own space in The Causeway to create her art pieces. After Moonstones, another jewellery and watch store, closed down on Park Road, Lisa took over the store. 

A tiny little wooden box of a shop, Amulette on Park Road almost glistens with charm. "My shop is a magical little space, Lisa adds. "It's got a lovely energy and it attracts lovely people."    

Reflecting on her time in Teddington, Lisa says she has met so many people. She says: "I've got really lovely customers. Teddington people are particularly lovely. People just come in and stop and have a chat, I've made lots of friends. 

"The generosity of the people towards me as a small business owner- it's been absolutely amazing." 

Previously working for local authorities and engaging with regeneration projects, Lisa has always been deeply rooted in community.    

"To me, community is everything," she says. "I love the old fashioned Highstreet-style, I wish we would go back to it. It brings people much closer together."  

"Teddington is a unique place. People have got familiar places they go and meet others. They support local businesses; they know the local shop owners as people rather than just being somebody they go and purchase something from.   

"There are people from all different walks of life who come to the high street and it makes [local businesses] accessible, it makes [them] real people, it makes people feel inclusive.   

"Even when it comes to people who have just moved to Teddington and come to the shop. I share my experiences and tell them where to go. It's just kind of cross pollinating and reinforcing the fact that this is a really positive place to live." 

Does she have any favourite memories of the shop? "Lots to do with dogs but I am dog-bonkers," Lisa admits. 

Aside from her furry friends, the simple pleasure of owning a local store has given Lisa much joy in her life. She says: "Every year I make a real effort with my window, changing it four times a year. Just the comments people give you and people watching you create it. 

"I will never ever forget my time here. I never expected to ever have a shop so it was a real welcomed surprise."  

What's the next steps for Lisa? "I will go back to a home studio and continue selling my products online," she said.  

Lisa said she aspires to have a "greenhouse studio". Unfortunately, Petersham Nurseries is one of her favourite places to go in the world. The regret in her voice was lightened by the future prospect of deigning her next workshop. 

She says: "It's put my aspirations rather high on what my studio is going to be like. Something which is full of plants and natural things." 

Still wanting to keep the friendly face approach, Lisa said she will be doing Zoom viewings and appointments for clients who want to see an item in (virtual) person.  

"I'm hoping to come back to Teddington to do some events to keep up my custom base." 

Lisa spoke emphatically how much she loved Teddington and its residents, it was hard to believe she was moving on. 

"It's always been a lifelong dream to move to Devon," Lisa tells me. "I moved to Teddington and I always had in my head that I would move one day to be by the sea. 

"It just got to the point where it just felt like the right time." 

Not a big family move- it is just Lisa, her husband and her dog- it almost seems she is moving from one friendly locality to the next. 

"We've found a place called Topsham which we've fell in love with," Lisa says. "To be honest, it's almost like Teddington-on-sea. 

"It just felt very familiar and community focussed." 

Rounding off the chat, I asked Lisa is there anything she wanted to add? "Just to say thank you so much to the local community for being so wonderful. I have been so lucky. It's been such a positive experience as a person and as a designer," she said. "I will never forget it."

The shop closes on the 23 December 2023.