Meet Jessica

Hi, I'm Jessica, a silversmith, jeweller and founder of Cognac Jewellery School.

My journey into jewellery making began when I realised that the career path I'd initially chosen wasn't fulfilling me in the way I'd hoped. Having studied modern languages, I found myself yearning for something more creative, something that would allow me to work with my hands, develop a skill and turn my ideas into something tangible.

I signed up for a weekly jewellery-making class and instantly fell in love with the craft. What began as a creative outlet soon became something much more, leading me to spend four years training at Kingham Jewellery School in Oxfordshire and the historic Guild of Handicraft in Chipping Campden, England.

During this time, I developed my skills in traditional silversmithing and metalworking, creating everything from intricate jewellery to larger pieces of silverware, including commissions for prominent figures.

I went on to become a tutor at Kingham Jewellery School, sharing my silversmithing skills with others while continuing to develop my own award-winning jewellery brand.

Today, I live and work at Château de Puyguiller in the heart of France's Cognac region, where I founded the Cognac Jewellery School in 2022.

With more than a decade of experience in designing, making and teaching jewellery and silversmithing, I specialise in helping others create nature-inspired jewellery using silver, gold and gemstones. Combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques, my work draws inspiration from the natural world, from intricate botanical forms to the shapes and textures found along the coast.

Meet the Team

  • Jessica Hickman-Woolcott

    Silversmith & Jeweller, Founder & Tutor

  • Jonathan Hickman

    Director, Videographer & Editor

  • Wendy Harrop

    Host & Concierge

  • Nino

    Matriarch

  • Morris

    Emotional Support Whippet

  • Piglet

    Perpetual Puppy

Our Story

The Cognac Jewellery School began with a vision to create something special in France: a place where people could learn the art of jewellery making, develop their skills and discover the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands.

When we arrived in France, opening a jewellery school was always part of the plan. But just six weeks after our arrival, the first Covid lockdown began, and our plans had to be put on hold. For the next two years, we had to wait before bringing that vision to life.

When we found Château de Puyguiller, we found the setting we had imagined. Surrounded by the peaceful French countryside, it offered a sense of calm and space that felt perfectly suited to learning a craft. We wanted to create a place where people could slow down, focus on their work and enjoy the experience of making, away from the distractions of everyday life.

In 2022, Cognac Jewellery School finally opened its doors. At the château, traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary jewellery-making techniques, with the natural world providing endless inspiration.

Initially, we welcomed students to join us in person for jewellery-making courses in the French countryside. As our community on social media grew, so did the number of people who wanted to learn with us but couldn't make the journey to France.

That inspired us to create the Online Jewellery Studio: a way to share our projects, techniques and teaching with jewellers around the world, wherever they are. Today, our school brings together in-person courses at the château and online learning, united by a shared love of craftsmanship and nature-inspired jewellery.

Preparing to open the Cognac Jewellery School in 2022

The Summer Foundation Course, July-August 2026

Our Philosophy

We believe in the value of making things by hand, finding inspiration in the natural world and discovering what you're capable of creating.

Jewellery making allows us to develop practical skills and turn the shapes, textures and details of nature into something tangible and beautiful. It invites us to slow down, focus on the work in front of us and enjoy the process of bringing an idea to life.

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing students grow in confidence. Many arrive unsure of what they can achieve, only to discover new skills, explore their creativity and realise they are capable of far more than they imagined.

Supporting that growth is at the heart of everything I do. My focus is on helping students develop their skills, discover their own creative style and take their ideas further. Whether that means making jewellery for themselves or building a brand of their own, I want to give them the knowledge, guidance and encouragement to succeed.

The Château

When we found Château de Puyguiller, we knew it was the right place for us. With its distinctive Napoléon III architecture and peaceful setting in the French countryside, it suited our creative lifestyle perfectly. Today, the château is our home as well as the home of Cognac Jewellery School, and when students join us here, we're welcoming them into a place that's very much part of our everyday lives.

The old forge at the château is the perfect home for Cognac Jewellery School. With its history of craftsmanship and making, it was a natural setting for a jewellery studio where students could learn traditional techniques, develop their skills and create pieces of their own.

Today, the château offers more than just a beautiful backdrop for our courses. It's a place to slow down, find inspiration and immerse yourself in the art of jewellery making, surrounded by the French countryside.

Find Your Place at the Cognac Jewellery School

Whether you'd love to spend a week learning jewellery making at our French château or develop your skills from home, we'd love to welcome you.

In-Person Courses
The Online Studio