The founder of an award-winning jewellery business says the price of sterling silver, which has almost tripled in the past 12 months, has “hit her like a tonne of bricks”.
Launched at the start of the month, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
The twice-weekly stories will spotlight what Northampton stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down, highlight the biggest challenges they currently face, and encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.
Sharing her insight in the sixth instalment of We Mean Business is the multi-award-winning Steph Davies, who launched Scruffy Dog Silver in 2011.
Each of her unique pieces is crafted and finished by hand and although the business did not become a full-time venture until a decade-and-a-half ago, Steph has always been a crafter.
Having attended a silversmith workshop that she stumbled across, she used the opportunity to learn the basics and having self-taught since then, the rest is history.
Let’s take a look at what Steph had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northampton at the moment?
“It’s getting a lot tougher and I know it is for everybody,” Steph admitted. “I’m fortunate that I don’t have employee costs as it’s simply me, and I have no bills to pay on a bricks and mortar premises.
“My main ingredient is the cost of sterling silver, which has almost tripled in the last 12 months. It’s hit me like a tonne of bricks, like I imagine it has for every other jeweller in the world.”
As a result of this, Steph has pivoted to experiment with different precious metals and mixed media, including seaglass, pottery, pebbles and beads. The founder needs to ensure the silver she buys goes a long way.
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your venture?
Steph continued: “The price of silver has made my costs incredible. I can no longer buy a stick of silver to make a cuff for the same price I was selling it at this time last year.”
As well as circling back to how Scruffy Dog Silver began with the use of different materials, Steph is running workshops from her space in Duston. She invites people in to use her tools, understand what goes on behind the scenes and have fun making something to take away.
Talking about craft fairs, which Steph praises as an important part of what she does, the founder said: “My prices have had to go up and I think I’ve priced myself out of craft fairs.
“I’m having to reframe my thinking and use them as an opportunity to showcase what I do, meet people face-to-face and give out business cards. This is in the hope that when people want something special in the future, they’ll think of me.”
Steph is taking this approach rather than banking on sales at craft fairs, as she believes the price of sterling silver has now made it a luxury product and less accessible.
What more do you believe could be done by the local authority and national government to minimise your current challenges and ensure your survival throughout 2026?
“We’re all in the same boat and the cost of living is affecting us in such big ways,” said Steph. “I don’t feel like businesses and towns are getting any support locally.”
Steph mentioned West Northamptonshire Council’s decision to keep car parking proposals the same for Northampton town centre after a u-turn in Daventry, Towcester and Brackley.
“The u-turn speaks volumes of how they look out onto retailers and hospitality in Northampton town centre,” she said. “I don’t understand their vision and priorities, it’s muddled.”
Steph wanted to give a shout out to people working hard to make a difference in spite of what they have to contend with. She spoke highly of Jenni Smith from Duston Village Bakery, Tracey Onley from T’s Coffee and Julie Teckman from Vintage Guru.
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
Steph said: “I offer the opportunity to shop in a really personal way. When you buy bespoke, you are part of the creative process and step away from mass production.
“When you talk to Scruffy Dog Silver, you talk to me. I’m human, I care and I love what I do. That’s a huge thing and that would be sorely missed. Independent business owners care passionately about what we do.”
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your business in 2026?
“With every piece of jewellery that goes out in the post, there’s a postcard that thanks them for their purchase and encourages them to snap, tag and share,” said Steph.
“Word of mouth is gold dust, as well as recommendations and reviews on social media. My customers tend to come back for more and that’s everything. Don’t just go for convenience, there are so many talented people out there.
“It may take time and effort to seek us out, but it’s really worth it. Once customers find their person for what they’re looking for, they never leave us.”