Readers' lives: A real gem

Watch out for the blowtorch and hammer on this jewellery maker's days off

Miller: Loves making jewellery

Number of staff you manage?
Six.

How many beers before you fall over?
Probably two, I am really not a good beer drinker. Vodka is a different story, though!

Car or other vehicle you drive?
I have a pepper-white Mini Cooper S, which I absolutely love. In fact, I really should change it now as it is over three years old, and has very high mileage, but I can’t find anything I like as much.

What was your first job?
My first real job was as a purchaser for Unipalm.

How much did it pay and was that fair?
I think it was around £15,000 a year and I thought it was fair at the time, as I was working for £4.50 an hour temping in Sheffield before that.

How did you get into IT?
Completely by accident, or fate, however you want to look at it. I was temping at Unipalm-Pipex after leaving university, and just stayed in the industry from then on.

Which TV character would you most like to be?
Probably Nan from Catherine Tate as she can say what she likes and gets away with it every time.

Are you looking forward to the London Summer Games in 2012?
I am not particularly interested in sport so I am not that bothered about them being in London. However, as I only live a few tube stops from Stratford I expect I shall be dragged to some of the events by my husband, and I’ll probably get a bit more into it and might even enjoy it.

What sport should be in the Olympics but isn’t?
I can’t think of any, sorry! As I said, I am not really the sporty type.

How do you relax, and do you find it easy to switch off from work?
I make silver jewellery and nothing is quite as relaxing as using an industrial blow torch and a hammer to get rid of the day’s stresses. Although it does take a little while before I stop checking my Blackberry.

Which is your favourite city?
I love Barcelona and Rome as I have had a few great weekends there, but London has to be my favourite. There is so much to do, as a local, or as a tourist I never fail to have a good time – unless I am getting the last tube home on a Saturday night and then I have to say that the appeal wears thin, very quickly.

Which is more satisfying: money or power?
Having neither a lot of money nor power I would like both, please. I will tell you how satisfying each is when I know.

What is your ideal holiday destination?
I love Thailand, and keep going back to visit different islands. It has brilliant weather, amazing people, wonderful food, value for money, abundant culture and fabulous beaches. I think it probably has it all!

What would you like to eat tonight?
Chinese – love it, any day.

Kathryn Miller is professional services manager at Computerlinks