Karen Dell’armi at work designing jewellery for her collections.
Cardiff-based jeweller, Karen Dell’Armi, owner of Karen Dell’Armi Contemporary Jewellery, has proved she’s the jewel in Europe’s business crown, after she scooped an international award for Best Micro Company in Europe.
The Design Management Europe (DME) Awards, which aim to celebrate good practice in the field of design management across Europe, was awarded to Mrs Dell’Armi at a glittering award ceremony in Poland.
In order to win the coveted title, Dell’Armi fought off stiff competition from companies across the European Union, including France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands.
The award comes hot on the heels of Dell’Armi being appointed as the Director of The Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ), thanks to her long-standing commitment to the world of contemporary jewellery. The new role will enable her to be seen as a leading voice within the industry in the UK and across Europe.
Mrs Dell’Armi’s business has been helped to shine thanks to Business Wales, the Welsh Government’s business support service.
She said: “I have been really impressed by the help, guidance and advice that has been provided to me by Business Wales.
“Being a solo entrepreneur can be isolating and lonely at times. As a successful business owner, people often think that you don’t need advice along the way and that you know all the answers. In my personal experience, this is rarely the case!
“I have relished the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities with a neutral third party who has a wealth of business expertise.
“Through the help and expert advice received, I feel that Business Wales has played a contributing role in helping me to grow and develop into the award-winning and internationally-recognised business that I now own.
“Business Wales has been there to assist me in areas of business development that has enabled me to take my business to new levels and grow in a variety of ways.”
Karen Dell’Armi Contemporary Jewellery started from humble beginnings when Dell’Armi began to craft jewellery in her family garage. As her jewellery became popular she set up a workshop and the business grew quickly.
Over the past six years annual sales have grown by 1,589% and profits by a massive 2,217%. Back in 2008, 80 per cent of the business’s sales came from galleries and shops, but now this constitutes only 25 per cent of sales, with 75 per cent coming from direct sales and commissions as her name in the industry has grown.
Now, Dell’Armi’s pieces can be bought online and through a host of galleries, with customers as far afield as Perth, India, Turkey, Denmark and Holland, while she has even made a bespoke butterfly pendant for Anna Ryder-Richardson.
Dell’Armi’s inspiration for her collections comes from a variety of different sources including, for her newest collection, Spirit, the glacial landscapes on Mount Everest during a recent charity trek to Base Camp.
Congratulating Karen on her success Economy Minister, Edwina Hart, said: “Despite Karen’s busy schedule she is also keen to inspire the next generation of young entrepreneurs as a role model with the Welsh Government’s Big Ideas Wales campaign. Her support is appreciated and it’s great news to hear of her most recent success which I am sure will help inspire other potential entrepreneurs to follow her example and reach their potential.”
To find out more about how Business Wales may be able to help your business visit www.business.wales.gov.uk
For more information on Karen Dell’Armi Contemporary Jewellery visit www.dellarmi.co.uk
