September 2005 - AGM and talk by Ruth Facey

Following the formal business of Andover Women in Business Club’s 13 th Annual General Meeting, members had the pleasure of listening to Club member, Ruth Facey, talk about her life and work as a fine jeweller.

Following the formal standing-down of the current committee and the re-election of the next, Tessa Makepeace was elected President for 2005/06. Liz Scrace was re-elected Treasurer for the Club and Sandra Richardson remains as Club Secretary. Brenda Locke and Diana Parr also join the committee. The Club is sad to lose the services of Jane O’Kelly, who has served on the committee for 8 years and Amanda Prideaux, who joined it last year.

Ruth’s talk was fascinating, surrounded by her ‘workbench’ and her descriptions of the tools and their uses. Following 23 years teaching jewellery making, Ruth has encouraged and helped students across the full age range. She has worked for 35 years as a jeweller, initially promoting her work through craft fairs, but now expanding to private commissions and working from her own workshop, which may be visited by appointment.

left to right - Member Karen Hopwood with Ruth Facey

“I believe in concentrating on things I am good at” says Ruth, “knowing that I shall get the best results that way, so I don’t take on work I don’t like.” Her work ethic has paid off and Ruth now enjoys an enviable clientele. Indeed, the beauty and painstaking details of her work is highly regarded and much of her work is specially commissioned.

“I love new challenges,” comments Ruth. “I was asked about 25 years ago to design a piece of jewellery to disguise the scar left by a tracheotomy – the lady was so delighted with the result she has worn it every day since! It made me very proud and extremely happy to put my talents to use for the real benefit of this lady.” This item of jewellery has now come to the attention of a specialist hospital and Ruth is in discussions to consider if this item could be put to the benefit of others who have had the same operation.