Step Behind The Bench With Allen Brown

The countdown is on for our 40th birthday! In a little over a month, we will be welcoming customers old and new to our Heart of The Country showroom for a weekend of celebrations, but before we look ahead we’re taking a look back with the man behind the brand: Allen Brown.

Join us in uncovering the natural creativity and artistic instincts that have shaped his approach to jewellery making across more than four decades.

Allen’s Early Years

“I’ve always been interested in design ever since I was very young.” 

Allen Brown Jewellery may be turning 40, but our story begins much earlier in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside. Raised on the family farm, Allen’s early years were spent helping with the practical demands of farm life, but even then his eye for design was evident.

It is this early interest that led him to his eventual craft, first through the study of technical drawing and fine art at King Edwards School in Lichfield, and then through an Art and Design course at Stafford College. His love of design established, and his interest in jewellery making piqued, he later went on to specialist in three-dimensional design at Sheffield Hallam, with an emphasis on jewellery and silversmithing.

The Brand’s Beginnings

“I used to be on the farm in the morning, then running the shop during the day, then going back home to milk the cows.”

Those of you who are familiar with the Allen Brown Gallery may be surprised to hear that Allen’s very first workshop was on his family’s farm – and made out of an old chicken pen no less!

Whilst these early premises are in-keeping with the hardwork, creativity, and willingness to take a chance that defined the early years of Allen’s career, he soon acquired a unit at Ridware Arts Centre. Following its official launch in 1986, Allen Brown Jewellery as we know it was born: but Allen still found the time to return home and help run the family farm around his successful business during his father’s illness.

During this time, Allen also lectured part time at Burton College, where he sparked a love of jewellery-making in a young student who he later went on to employ. That’s right – our very own Charlie, who still works for Allen 34 years later, and now also teaches jewellery making at the very college where his own journey began.

Continued Collaboration

“We all get on really well. Everybody knows each other’s lives inside and out.”

After more than 40 years in the industry – most of them spent at Heart of the Country, where his business has been based since the early 90s – Allen leads a close-knit team who carry forward the principles of craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration that have defined the business since the very beginning.

The business would not be what it is today without the expertise and dedication of the entire team: from our Harriet, our Head Of Workshop who has worked for Allen for over 20 years, to Alyssa, who joins us as an apprentice just in time for the 40th birthday of the brand that means so much to us all.

We are fortunate enough to have many team members who have been a part of the Allen Brown Jewellery story for decades, as have our longstanding customers. Through his work on engagement rings, wedding rings, birthstone gifts and remodelling pieces, Allen has been part of countless milestones for families over the years, crafting meaningful designs that continue to be worn today and are yet to be loved by the generations to come.

Celebrating 40 Years of Allen Brown Jewellery

Allen is the heart and soul of Allen Brown Jewellery, but it has been a team effort to shape the brand into what it is today.

Find out more about the people behind the pieces here, and join us in celebrating the past 40 years at our gallery on Saturday 11th July and Sunday 12th July from 10am – 5pm.

All are welcome, and we look forward to saying thank you in person to everyone who has joined us on our journey.