THE Brown family didn't know how good they were at making jewellery before they started their market stall.

Husband and wife Phil and Seonee, who had been in retail for more than 20 years, knew when they moved to Dulverton seven years ago that they wanted to trade in South Molton's market.

So two-and-a-half years ago, when market manager Peter Stanford told the pair he needed a jewellery stall they jumped at the chance.

Seonee said: "We had ran a wedding dress shop in the past in which I had designed some of the dresses. But we had never tried making and selling jewellery before.

"Now we have been here doing the jewellery stand for more than two years and I absolutely love it."

The stall, which is overflowing with colour, stones and silver, is a firm favourite at the biweekly market.

Phil said Seonee, who studied at London College of Fashion, was "the creative one" and plays a big part in keeping their jewellery stock going.

Phil carries out a lot of repairs on the stall, including watches.

He said: "We sell to such a range of people, whether they are locals or visitors.

"And a lot of people bring us requests for specific jewellery, which we make. They might bring us a dress and ask us to make a pair of earrings which match."

The couple say they do not make as much jewellery as they used to, but still enjoy sitting down on some afternoons and making jewellery together as a family.

Seonee said the family had a jewellery-making session just one day beforehand.

As well as the homemade earrings and necklaces, the Brown's also sell imported jewellery, selling everything from opals, to charm beads, to sterling silver.

Their stock comes from all over the world, including Israel, China, India and Poland.

The pair has also recently branched out to sell a fairtrade range which they say is flying off the shelves.

The family also attend a market in Dulverton on Tuesdays but enjoy South Molton market for its unrivalled atmosphere, which they say is both friendly and "continental".

Brown's Jewellery is in South Molton Pannier Market on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Their goods can also be seen on www.brownsjewellery.co.uk.