A talented jeweller whose creations sell for thousands has told how she manages to create her intricate ornaments despite being born with no fingers.
Annette Gabbedey, 48, creates delicate rings, earrings and bracelets, inset with with diamonds, opals and other precious stones in her workshop in Frome, Somerset.
But the expert goldsmith uses no special tools to help her work and says she cannot imagine how people with fingers manage to do it.
Mrs Gabbedey, who says she was always encouraged by her family to ‘get out there and sort it out’, studied jewellery-making at school and college before training amongst the jewellery experts of London’s Hatton Garden.
She moved to Somerset 24 years ago, and now has a reputation as one of Britain’s finest craftsmen and opal specialists.
The most expensive piece she has ever made was a £25,000, 18 carat yellow and white gold boulder opal and diamond necklace, which she made for herself to celebrate 21 years of trading.
