A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has taken a year out of full-time education to run his business making and selling glass jewellery.

Gerald Roseman, from Rochford, near Tenbury Wells, took his scholarship to Malvern College a year early, but cannot start until he is 13.

So to fill the year Gerald is expanding his jewellery business and taking time to travel around Europe with parents Caroline and Joe.

He said: “About a year ago my art teacher suggested that my mum and I went to a silversmith course. At the same college [Westhope College, near Craven Arms, Shropshire], they were teaching glass work, which I had a go at and it soon became a hobby.

“Then three or four months ago a friend suggested that I start selling the items, which I had not thought about before. So I started to take them to places that might be interested and now I am selling them in Spotty Dog Gallery and Tearoom in Tenbury Wells and I am taking them to Teme Arts and Rural Crafts Centre, near Stanford Bridge.”

Gerald, a former pupil at Abberley Hall School, said he had so far sold about 40 pieces of jewellery, and had even given his father, a private investor, some handmade cufflinks for his birthday.

He said: “The business is slowly but surely expanding and I am making about six or seven pieces a day. I really enjoy it and my parents are very happy for me and give me lots of help and support.”

During the next year, Gerald is also hoping to spend time travelling around Europe, learning about different cultures and history.

He also attends The Downs, Malvern College’ preparatory school, part-time, as well as carrying out work at home.

He said: “I really like science so I would like to do something science-based when I leave school. But it’s nice to be able to take a year out and do something like this.”

For more information on Gerald’s work, visit his website u.niche.googlepages.com.