| A Jewel in his crown |
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Ian White hears how a silversmith is using her gifts for God  It proved a gem of a Bible study for Norma Murrain. She was instructing a women’s group that God’s plan for their lives was often shown in a hidden talent, and that they should all take a step of faith that very day. Then her theory turned startlingly into practice, and events unfolded that were to lead to her giving up her lecturing job to start her own business in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. On returning to work that very evening, she chatted with a colleague she’d never even talked to before. She recalls, “During the conversation with Jim, I admitted I didn’t really want to be there as all I wanted to do was to work with my hands and make jewellery. “I was staggered when he replied that he taught silversmithing!” Norma, originally from Handsworth, will never forget that diamond ‘God moment’ back in 2002 as she instantly knew he’d answered prayers to act on the thing she’d always desired. Joining Jim’s evening classes, Norma developed that hidden talent. “God gave me the vision of sharing the gospel through silver, and within a year I’d given up teaching and opened my first workshop.” Now she runs the successful Silver Fish Company offering Christian jewellery and gifts, inspired by the Bible and crafted in real silver. Norma, who also works in gold, keeps her design style minimalist, ‘allowing the heart to speak’ – reflecting the simplicity of the gospel – and casts her pearls far and wide. Their original silver collection, The Jesus Fish, was inspired by the verse from Psalms that the words of the Lord are pure like silver. More than 100 designs have followed, each carrying inspirational verses scrolled in the box. “My vision is that we will wear these designs to aid meditation and reflect our faith with style,” says Norma. And she certainly doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. Norma once hit national headlines when she wore the largest cross in her collection at a Christian exhibition in Harrogate to support a British Airways employee banned from wearing her cross at work. The 46-year-old rediscovered her faith in 1995 after a bad marriage experience following the birth of her first son while living in Germany. She explains, “I thought I had everything I’d ever wanted, the dream wedding, a penthouse apartment in Stuttgart and a son. But by the time Liam was just nine months old cracks were showing in the marriage, he developed asthma and I developed depression.” With limited German, friendships felt shallow for “imprisoned” Norma so, desperate, lonely, empty and always afraid, she returned to Brum for her mum’s birthday. “On my visit in October, God also showed up. I couldn’t sleep on the first night, so picked up the Bible, which fell open to Isaiah 43, which spoke to my heart about being called by name and belonging to God. It was as if he was there in the room with me and waves of love flowed through my soul.” By morning, Norma was completely different. “I knew I was changed, God had found me, He rescued me in my darkest moment.” Norma briefly returned to Germany but settled back in Britain in 1997, now living in Sutton Coldfield. Her company is “both business and ministry” and she’s always moved when she hears how jewellery bought from her shop touches lives. “Often our work is described as prophetic and people will be drawn to tears as designs speak into a specific situation in their lives. “People who wander into the shop are struck by the scriptural verse on the wall and comment on feeling God’s peace and presence. I’ve even heard of people who have gone on to churches and accepted Jesus.” And it’s to Jesus whom the mother of three gives all the praise, with the motto: “All the best adventures begin with a passion for life and our adventure continues with a passion for the source of life itself – Jesus.” That passion is continuing to flourish as they are forming a charity to have certain jewellery ranges made in Haiti and Africa through Fairtrade, providing valuable training and income for some of the world’s poorest folk. |
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