Celebrating Alternative Jewellery with Alice from the Museum of Alternative Jewellery (podcast episode)

In this week’s episode of the podcast, host Kim Thompson chats with Alice, founder of the Museum of Alternative Jewellery, about her love for bold, playful, and unconventional pieces. From shrink plastic to found objects and ‘toy jewellery’, they explore how alternative materials can carry deep meaning and spark creativity.

Tune in to hear how Alice celebrates overlooked styles, why value isn’t just about precious metals, and how you can find inspiration in the everyday.

In this week’s episode, host Kim Thompson sits down with Alice from the Museum of Alternative Jewellery to explore the wonderfully imaginative world of non-traditional jewellery making.

Alice shares how a childhood love of beads, Polly Pockets, and playful textures evolved into a lifelong passion for alternative jewellery as self-expression and even a personal ‘safety blanket’. From shrink plastic to acorn cups and found objects, Alice reveals how unconventional materials can carry just as much meaning and beauty as precious metals.

They dive into how jewellery can be both a memory-holder and a bold personal statement, why alternative materials are often overlooked, and how value in jewellery isn't just about price tags—it’s about story, creativity, and connection.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

The origins of Alice’s love for alternative jewellery
Why ‘toy jewellery’ and found objects deserve recognition
The inspiration behind the Museum of Alternative Jewellery
How to find beauty and meaning in overlooked materials
Creative tips for a no-spend jewellery challenge
Favourite makers and communities like the Precious Collective
How to get your work featured and connect with alternative jewellery lovers

Whether you're curious about new materials, looking for inspiration, or just love jewellery with a twist, this episode is a joyful celebration of the weird, wonderful, and wildly creative world of alternative adornment.

About Alice

Hey, my name's Alice! When I'm not writing under the name The Museum of Alternative Jewellery, I spend my time fixing, photographing, researching and selling vintage and antique costume pieces. It is my goal to shine a spotlight onto obscure techniques, non-traditional materials and makers that I feel have been underappreciated, with the occasional deep dive into our personal and cultural attitudes about jewellery and the conflicting narratives around ‘preciousness’. I deeply believe that jewellery is FIRST and foremost an art form; and The Museum of Alternative Jewellery is here to celebrate that fact!

Instagram @museumofalternativejewellery
Facebook

Here are the jewellers mentioned in this episode:

Brenda Schweder:

Instagram @bremdaschweder_recombobulator

Brenda Schweder Jewelry

Eileen ‘O’ Shea:

Instagram @youluckygirl

Home | Eileen O'Shea Design

John Marcel of MarcelMetals:

Instagram @johnsmarcel
MarcelMetals - Etsy UK

Helen Britton:

Instagram @helenbrittonartist