Changes I've Made

This is me outside The Great Frog Ganton Street, Soho. I need to write this, although I'm not sure exactly what to say. These posts only get the odd view though, so I'm going to just let it out.

This was last Summer. I thought I'd have another Summer selling there. I've been a part of The Great Frog for 15years and as of 20th March 2026, my pieces are no longer on the shelves.

Why did I remove them?

Numerous reasons. I will get to that. Firstly let's talk a little bit about selling there for over a decade.

Well it wasn't about the money, although my jewellery always did well, month after month. It was the people, the creativity, the atmosphere that kept me there.

Wait, let's do this properly.

Before I worked at The Great Frog, I worked double shifts at Weatherspoons in Angel. Keeping a few days of my week free to carry out artwork jobs. Murals, live events, exhibitions, the odd graphics job. Then pot washing for 12hrs and so on.

Since 2006, I was a working London Artist (albeit part time) before I ever became a jeweller.

As you can imagine, I looked to trade in my day job for something better. One day in 2010, whilst in central with an old friend, we went into The Great Frog. Jess who worked the shop floor in those days was so welcoming. I expressed wanting to work there and she made it happen. I worked both jobs for a few weeks and then I was finally free of that kitchen uniform.

Jess trying out my bike - Venti & Jess at TGF desk Soho - Me in the Ganton store doorway

It really was magical to make such a transition. It felt like home immediately. This is where I would meet Patterson, Venti, Reino and too many others to mention. Over the next three years I worked the shop floor, met Arnold Schwarzenegger, Debbie Harry, Kat Von D, Kerry King and (more recently) Tom Hardy. This is the time when Graham Mitchell, taught me jewellery. I kept art working jobs going but jewellery was creeping in, to take hold, in the most delicious way. Graham encouraged and pushed me to carve a wax.

Jess being fabulous - Reino w/the worlds most tattooed man - & Good friend and talented jeweller Graham Mitchell

Jess & I w/the very charming PhoneJacker - Reino showing Kerry King the workshop - Myself & Mr Schwarzenegger

I made the All Seeing Eye ring. My first ring. Reino, The Great Frog owner expressed that he wished to make one, but liked mine and I should put it in the shop. I obliged gladly and it all began. Whilst still working on the shop floor, I had jewellery on the shelves. A ring turned into a pendant, and multiplied into more designs.

I even got to work in the LA store for a few weeks in the Summer of 2014. It was all so eyeopening and I am so very grateful I experienced all this.

Imogen and Lucifer (LA TGF) are really special people, I hope to see them again.

USA Trip. Top middle Imogen & Lucifer. Thank you so much, that trip meant a lot

By 2016, I was in love and moved to Germany, leaving everything behind. I was only there for two weeks however. This man was, unfortunately(?), a Liar. Luckily I found out in time to pick up where I left off in London. When I returned, The Great Frog took me in (I was broken for a while). I asked Reino if I could add Bangles to the shop shelves. He asked me to chose between shift work and selling there, that I cannot do both. I said, that's fair, I'd like to put more work on the shelves please.

10 years on and I'm so proud of myself for making that choice. It felt scary. But it allowed me to focus on producing work and expanding my designs. I didn't technically work at the Frog, but I was part of the crew still. So much fun was had.

Now to present day.

I am sad not to be visiting the London Great Frog Stores every Friday as I have done for years. I'll be missing my weekly catch up with shop staff and jewellers.

That feels strange. This place has been very special to me for a long time.

So why leave?

It is a lot of work to stock shops and make orders without pause. I am only one woman.

I'm in my 40's now and started all this in my 20's.

And the truth is, with the price of silver fluctuating wildly, coupled with the cost of living crisis, I can't sell through the Frog and cover my costs like I used to.

The usual answer to rising costs is to raise prices.

It's gotten to the point where people are priced out and sales suffered.

And in all honesty; I felt stagnant, invisible. Depressed? Perhaps. In need of a change, 100%.

I do feel relief now I've left. I never thought I'd say that.

I hope to continue selling through my website. Make a little less jewellery, earn a little time back. The commissions are coming in, for jewellery and artwork. It's spotty but they appear.

Thank you so much for those who have asked for work, you have saved me.

I may end up getting a part time job, maybe not. We'll see what happens.

The last thing I'll say...

Now I am able to control my pricing, I am keeping in line with the market price of gold and silver. This means if the casting cost drops, you pay less.

That's what feels right to me.

And now is a good time to reach out if you'd like to commission jewellery or artwork.

I work real hard and am always eager to make something you'll love.

Although I don't plan on being this available forever :)

Sincerely

Isabel

/ Elfin

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