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Stephen Webster promotes end of single use plastic with the Last Straw

Jeweller to the stars Stephen Webster, has partnered with the Plastic Oceans Foundation to highlight the need to end the use of single use plastics, like straws, in his latest environmental campaign. In response the world’s plastic pollution problem, whereby the UK alone uses mind-boggling 8.5 billion straws every year, which are among the top 10 items found in beach clean-ups and take over 200 years to break down, Webster has launched his latest project 'The Last Straw'. Handcrafted in sterling silver, a perfect material known for its anti-bacterial qualities, 'The Last Straw' will be personalised with the owner’s name

The Uncivilised Creative

Bea Ramsay and Change in Nature have just launched The Uncivilised Creative - a four-day wilderness retreat for creative professionals looking for an inspiring and refreshing sabbatical to reconnect with their creative thread. This retreat is an antidote to the fast pace of modern life and the pressures of being a professional creative. It offers a precious chance to quieten busy heads and remember how it feels for the hours to pass like minutes, lost in creative flow. Who are Bea and ChangeinNature.org? As ‘Alex Ramsay’ Bea ran a successful silversmithing studio in London for 12 years – exhibiting her

Christmas Jewellery Show 2019

Christmas Jewellery Show 2 November 2019 - 11 January 2020 Craft Centre and Design Gallery, Leeds Established and emerging jewellers are celebrated in this exhibition of contemporary jewellery.  A selection of 5 jewellers in their first 5 years of business and 5 who have been making for 5+ years come together to highlight the craftsmanship behind jewellery making today. 5 Established Jewellers Bea Jareno Jewellery making is a life-long passion for Bea.  She learnt watch-making as a young child with her grandfather and vividly remembers her first experience of seeing a ring being made; she knew from that moment that

CASS Jewellery & Silversmithing Launches Crowdfunder for ‘New Designers’ 2018

The last cohort of students on the Jewellery & Silversmithing BA degree course at The Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design have launched a Crowdfunder campaign towards exhibiting at the New Designers graduate show in 2018. It will be the last time the course exhibits as a dedicated jewellery and silversmithing specialist course. With funding unavailable from their university, the current cohort of students want to ensure their participation in the flagship show for new U.K. design graduates. As a celebration of the end of their degree and the beginning of their journies as designers / makers, the group

Training Bursaries for Precious Metal Crafts

Heritage Crafts and The Royal Mint have launched four new training bursaries for precious metal workers to preserve and champion traditional British craftsmanship skills, following the success of the last two years’ bursaries. The four successful applicants of the 2025 bursary scheme will benefit from up to £4,000 in funding each, as well as one-to-one support from the staff at Heritage Crafts. The new bursaries follow nine previous training bursaries awarded to early-career practitioners of precious metal crafts since 2023. Last year’s bursary recipients included jewellery makers Richard Barber and Andreia Gomes, armourer Horatio Hawes and silver spinner Lily Smith.

Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council appoints new Chair and Vice Chair

The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council  (GC&DC) has appointed John Ball, managing director at British fine jewellery manufacturer Brown & Newirth, as its new Chair for the next two years. John takes over the role of Chair from Anne-Marie Reeves, who has come to the end of her two-year term, but will remain on Council. Having joined the GC&DC as a council member in 2020, John has held the position of Vice Chair of Council for the last two years, assisting Anne-Marie. He was officially elected to the role of Chair at a full council meeting last Friday (25 October)

Kickstart Winner, Alice Barnes, to exhibit expanded 'Pleated' collection at this year's IJL

Having received the coveted ‘KickStart Industry’s Choice Award’ at last year’s International Jewellery London, Alice Barnes is set to return to the show this September with new additions to her Pleated Collection.  The prize included a complimentary stand at IJL 2018 and Alice will feature alongside some of the industry’s best talent in the prestigious Design Gallery on stand R28. “It was such an honour to win the award last year and I can’t wait to exhibit as an established designer,” says Alice. “As a KickStarter I made some invaluable contacts, gained several new stockists and received some great feedback

Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council hold annual awards

The 'Jewellery Oscars', highlight of the Jewellery Industry's design, craft and manufacturing community's year, saw industry came together once again to celebrate the winners of the annual Goldsmiths Craft & Design Awards which took place again at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London last Monday. The culmination of a year's work for industry, where pieces worked upon and finished in the last twelve months are entered and shown at the prestigious awards event was hosted by Theo Fennell and welcomed over 300 guests, including world-renowned jewellery houses, notable sponsors, industry associations, leading designers and the UK jewellery press. The unique annual competition

Final day before Wright and Teague close their doors for 9 months

Iconic duo, Wright and Teague, close their doors for nine months tomorrow to embark on their next enigmatic project. Today is the last day customers can make orders via the Wright and Teague eBoutique or browse and purchase from the London store.  Iconic duo, Wright and Teague, close their doors for nine months tomorrow to embark on their next enigmatic project. Today is the last day customers can make orders via the Wright and Teague eBoutique or browse and purchase from the London store. It's not too late to snap up a piece before the short hiatus.  The pair met

Fair Luxury calls for jewellers to join the fashion revolution, letting customers know who made their jewellery

It’s said we are the first generation that knows that we are killing the planet, and fast fashion has been amongst one of the biggest targets of criticism. This new era of awareness couldn’t be more apparent- with activist group Extinction Rebellion hosting rallies in cities over the world in the last few days.  At a time where sustainability accounts for a key fashion trend and internet searches for ‘sustainable fashion’ have almost doubled since last year; Fair Luxury looks to the jewellery industry, as a caveat of the fashion trade, to take action and show solidarity for planet Earth. Fashion

Miniaturist Vicki Ambrey Smith creates commission steeped in rich history

Vicki Ambrey Smith, the renowned miniaturist silversmith, has revealed her latest commissioned piece to Benchpeg. The extraordinary commission came about through her last showing at Goldsmiths' Fair last autumn, where she met a client who is a collector of very rare books. The client owns a particularly rare volume, which was written in Amsterdam in 1650 by Menasseh Ben Israel.  The text is part of petition written to Oliver Cromwell seeking readmission for the Jews to return to England. The silversmith fills us in and states  “They were banished from  England by King John in 1291.”  Ambrey Smith was asked

The Winter Exhibition, The Contemporary Silver Gallery

During the last 8 years, The Contemporary Silver Gallery have concentrated solely on a summer exhibition – initially just showing exceptional pieces of silver by the top UK silversmiths, and in the last 3 years also adding jewellery to the exhibits available for purchase. At the end of 2015, The Contemporary Silver Gallery were asked to trial a winter exhibition, with silver pieces only, and it was extremely successful. Consequently, in 2016 The Contemporary Silver Gallery have decided to repeat the Winter Exhibition, and now we have more time to talk to our favourite jewellery designers, we will also be

Brilliant & Black

Brilliant & Black Age of Enlightenment 22 September to 2 October 2022 Sotheby’s, London After last year's triumphant selling exhibition celebrating Black jewelry designers, the new edition of 'Brilliant & Black' focuses on enlightenment and the continuous representation of Black talent. Brilliant & Black: The Age Of Enlightenment   runs from 22 September to 2 October at Sotheby’s London.   www.sothebys.com/en/buy/brilliant-and-black​ www.sothebys.com/en/brilliant-black

Paris 2024's Olympic and Paralympic Medals

When Paris 2024 revealed the medals for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in February the designs were launched with the representation of the concept of the meeting of the most wanted object of the Games with the iconic symbol of France and Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Each medallist over the last two weeks and over the Paralympics will receive a piece of original iron from the Eiffel Tower placed at the heart of their medal. To create their design, Paris 2024 called on its Athletes' Commission and the expertise of Chaumet, a LVMH Group company and Premium Partner of

Marzee International Graduate Show 2020

Marzee International Graduate Show 2020 25 October 2020 - 6 January 2021 Academies around the world had to close their doors last Spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final exams of a lot of the graduating students needed to be postponed for this reason as well. In previous years the Marzee International Graduate Show was held in August, but this year we moved it to the end of October to make sure that we could still make this show happen. We are very pleased with the end result – it is yet again an amazing show with a great

The Garden Club Social

The Garden Club Social 25th May 2023 5pm - til late Please join The Garden Club for an informal drinks evening on Thursday, 25 May at The Castle pub in Farringdon. Due to the popularity of our last event, we are very happy that The Castle have offered the upstairs of the pub for this and all future events, as they are keen to support the jewellery trade. Please spread the word and we hope to see you there! The Garden Club is an initiative created to support those businesses in the jewellery trade who are based in - or rely

Donald Friedlich: The Glass Alchemist

Donald Friedlich can be called a glass alchemist. Fascinated by its chemical, material and aesthetic properties, he has dedicated the last twenty years of his artistic research to the discovery and exploration of this material, so elusive and challenging writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Among the many achievements, in 2003 he was the first jeweller to be an Artist in Residence at The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass. In 2004 Friedlich was a featured speaker at an international jewellery conference in Melbourne, Australia and an Artist in Residence in both the Glass and Goldsmithing Programs of Canberra School of Art at

Made By Hand, The Contemporary Craft Fair at Cheltenham Town Hall

Made By Hand, The Contemporary Craft Fair at Cheltenham Town Hall 8 - 10 March 2019 Made by Hand will showcase a highly selective group of 90 makers & artists set in the beautiful surroundings of Cheltenham's Town Hall. Venue Made by Hand The Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA Dates 8 - 10, March 2019 Open Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 10am-4pm (Last entry 30 minutes before the end time)

Swinging Into New Year Ear Bling

New Year is all about ringing in the changes, embracing something different and refreshing your look ready to kick last year into the past. After the ear cuff was the jewellery prince of royalty throughout 2017, this year will welcome the pendulum swing of XXL length earrings in shiny, sculptural, arty, glitzy chandeliers. 2018 is all about going big or going home so step up your bling game and make a statement with elegant cascading stand-out earrings! Author:  Published: 

The Silversmith and Jewellery Charity Dinner 2018

The Silversmith and Jewellery Charity Dinner The Silversmith and Jewellers charity would like to invite all jewellery trade members to this prestigious event. 4 course dinner with wine. Guest speaker is comedian Ian Irving, one of the most popular and sought-after entertainers on the circuit! Last spaces are being filled now! Hurry up and grab your ticket. Date 30th Nov 2018 Venue The RAC Pall Mall, London Tickets £140 To Book Email or call Julie for tickets: julie@thesjcharity.co.uk 020 8265 9288

Scotgold Bulk Processing Trial Sales Update

Scotgold Resources Ltd last week entered into an agreement with Ocean Partners for the sale of up to 120 tonne of the gold rich pyrite concentrate to be generated by the Bulk Processing Trial in Scotland. The first shipment to Ocean Partners’ premises in the Netherlands will take place as soon as the appropriate logistics have been put in place. The Company has now accumulated what is considered to be a cost effective shipping load and as of 26th October, the BPT had generated an estimated mass of approximately 13.5t of pyrite concentrate with a preliminary estimated gold content of

Adi Toch Aquired by V&A

A di Toch had has had a piece entitled 'Colourful Volume' acquired last month by the V&A Museum, London, for their permanent collection. The piece is due to be exhibited this autumn in a new display of recent acquisitions in the Silver Galleries Discovery Area.  For more information aditoch.com vam.ac.uk Adi Toch, Colourful Volume Author:  Published: 

Holts Academy of Jewellery Under New Management

Holts Academy of Jewellery has announced that it is now under new leadership, and has been undergoing strategic change over the last year. The change in ownership for the educational establishment means a new era and with this a new name. Holts Academy of Jewellry announced with this that ss of the 25 January it will be known as will be known as the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ). The BAJ have further announced the intention to retain its traditional values and dedication to teaching excellence, which it developed as it evolved as an education provider. A spokesman for the

Goldsmiths’ Company announces new acquisitions for 2020/2021

The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced its latest acquisitions from the last year for its Collection, which comprises works of art of world class importance. The acquisitions reinforce the Company’s support for contemporary makers through commissions and purchases, in what has been a challenging year for British craftspeople. Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company says that  the report of acquisitions  reveals extraordinary examples of work made for the Collection.  “Our commissions, and purchases recognise and celebrate the quality and handmaking skills of our craft. All the pieces contribute to our wider understanding of contemporary jewellery and silver. They tell

Lebrusan Studio reveals an increase in searches of over 1,200% for shoppers looking for commitment rings

Award winning ethical jeweller, Lebrusan Studio, has today released figures that show an increase in searches of over 1,200% for shoppers visiting the site looking for commitment rings. The stats, gleaned from a comparison between January to March versus June to August, show that during the three months coming out of lockdown, more lovers were searching for the term ‘commitment ring’ than ever before. During the first quarter of the year, Lebrusan Studio saw 380 searches for this key term, compared with 5,378 in the last three, showing an exponential spike and an undeniable feeling that when all else fails,

LOEWE Launch 'LOEWE EN CASA' Series on Instagram Live

Founded in 1846, LOEWE may be one of the oldest luxury houses, but it never falls behind. In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, LOEWE have launched 'LOEWE EN CASA' (LOEWE at home) - a series of Intagram Live events and workshops to enjoy whilst we stay home.  The first series began last Friday, featuring a studio tour and weaving workshop with Idoia Cuesta, a studio tour with Goldsmith and LOEWE Craft Prize finalist Giovanni Corvaja, and an ikebana demonstration with Toru Watari.  The second phase of the lineup continues to celebrate craft and artisanship, exploring the words and the work [youtube

Bishopsland Educational Trust @ Goldsmiths' Fair

Bishopsland Educational Trust @ Goldsmiths' Fair Launching their 'Tools Library' initiative and spotlighting their heritage skills training programme as a feeder for Goldmsiths' Fair talent Week One: 26 September to 1 October |  Week Two: 3 October to 8 October 2023 Goldsmiths Fair, Goldsmiths' Hall Integrity in making, wholeheartedly "Bishopsland Educational Trust is an internationally recognised and accredited charity dedicated to the training and education of young people in the craft of silversmithing in the United Kingdom. We have nurtured the careers of more than 200 silversmiths and jewellers over the last 30 years, the majority of whom have gone on

Cooksongold Coronavirus Statement

In a statement issued on Tuesday 31st March Cooksongold issued the following statement regardign trading: "Over the last few weeks, we have announced a number of changes to our business operation, working hard to balance what is right for our staff, our customers and the wider jewellery trade. We are constantly reviewing the situation with the latest government information, the feedback from our teams and customers, assessing if we can continue to take and despatch orders in a safe way. Whilst the UK Government has said online retailers can and should operate as normal, we no longer feel this is the

Preparing to Sell - Bovey Tracey

Preparing to Sell - Bovey Tracey Wednesday 5 February  2025 Make Southwest, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9AF Preparing to Sell on Tour After a thumping success of Preparing to Sell in Cardigan last week, don't miss the chance to meet Craft Fair in Bovey Tracey and Hereford. These lively and useful days, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker, gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public, marketing and diversifying your business. Each day has a different flavour. Dates and Locations: Feb 5th at Make

Preparing to Sell - Hereford

Preparing to Sell - Hereford Thursday 20th February 2025 Hereford College of Arts Preparing to Sell on Tour After a thumping success of Preparing to Sell in Cardigan last week, don't miss the chance to meet Craft Fair in Bovey Tracey and Hereford. These lively and useful days, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker, gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public, marketing and diversifying your business. Each day has a different flavour. Dates and Locations: Feb 5th at Make Southwest Bovey Tracey⁠

Craft Focus - Trentham Gardens

Craft in Focus at Trentham Gardens 22 - 25 September 2022 Trentham, Stoke on Trent Our fourth annual event here will feature a wide range of the UK's finest contemporary artists and makers and will be staged in semi open-sided marquees within Trentham Gardens with its vast perennial plantings providing breathtaking vistas. This stunning contemporary revival of a historic garden is amongst the very best in the UK. The gardens have been transformed over the last 15 years and are now some of the finest in Britain with the revival being led by multi-Chelsea gold-medal winner Tom Stuart-Smith. Admission to

Longer Days & Neon Gems: MAYA Gemstones extends Collections to include new Electric Neon Pieces

Last year, MAYA Gemstones released its 'Out of Office' collection . The triangle cut gems, unique to the brand, adorned cutesy stationery inspired jewellery. For summer 2020, MAYA Gemstones is expanding both this collection, and its Sonya collection to include new Electric Neon pieces.  Splashes of neon embellish stackable and mismatched paperclip earrings, quirky ruler bracelets and rings and round enamel and quartz rings with a central triangular diamond.  MAYA Gemstones' new Electric Neon Additions The bent wire 'paperclip' form of the earrings allow them to interlink with one another creating a unique drop earring in a neon rainbow, or

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2022

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair brings 200 of the UK’s finest makers to the Edwardian splendour of Victoria Baths over the weekend of 13-16 October 2022. Already a firm favourite with those in the know, the fair offers an unrivalled line up of designer makers from all over the country, each one selected for the quality, desirability, and innovation of their work. Craft says something in a society obsessed with mass production and throw-away culture. It says that something is unique, joyful, special, and out of the ordinary. It says that something was made with love and built to last. It

Enamelling Workshops - Blending Colours with Enamel

Enamelling Workshops FORGE, Hatton Garden 16 March, 20 April, 6th July Immerse yourself in the vibrant colourful world of enamelling with FORGE’s upcoming workshops! Did you miss out on our last enamelling taster session a few weeks ago? Not to worry! Here’s your chance to join in and master this ancient craft with the talented and multi award winning Linda Connelly with our upcoming enamelling workshops. "Great venue, great tutor, great course, great fun!" - Andrew Beney, February 2024 workshop participant. Cloisonné In this class you will learn how to use vitreous enamelling techniques and cloisonné wires to create a

Co-collaboration maker space opens with a ching

Last Thursday Benchpeg went along to the launch of FORGE, which is the new multi-functional, co-collaborative space based on Leather Lane in Hatton Garden. The launch party was extremely well attended with the great and the good of industry showing up to support the new initiative conceived by Amanda Mansell. Officially opened by Natalie Melton, the Executive Director of the Crafts Council, who congratulated Amanda with her huge achievement in navigating a multitude of complex requirements to get the ‘maker space’ off the ground and completed.   Subsequently she has added that,  “It’s the kind of creative space that should

Junior Gemmologist / Diamond Grader, Monnickendam Diamonds Ltd - Holborn, London

Junior Gemmologist / Diamond Grader Monnickendam Diamonds Ltd  Holborn, London Who we are Monnickendam Diamonds Ltd is a diamond manufacturer and wholesaler. We were founded in 1890 and have been based in London since 1914. We are one of the last firms manufacturing diamonds in the UK and have invested in a fully equipped cutting facility. www.monnickendam.co.uk Overview We are looking to find an enthusiastic individual to join our existing team working in London. Monnickendam Diamonds is looking for a recently qualified GIA graduate to join the company as a Junior Gemmologist / Diamond Grader. The suitable candidate must have

Enamelling Workshops - Cloisonné

Enamelling Workshops FORGE, Hatton Garden 16 March, 20 April, 6th July Immerse yourself in the vibrant colourful world of enamelling with FORGE’s upcoming workshops! Did you miss out on our last enamelling taster session a few weeks ago? Not to worry! Here’s your chance to join in and master this ancient craft with the talented and multi award winning Linda Connelly with our upcoming enamelling workshops. "Great venue, great tutor, great course, great fun!" - Andrew Beney, February 2024 workshop participant. Cloisonné In this class you will learn how to use vitreous enamelling techniques and cloisonné wires to create a

Stelios Young Entrepreneur Awards 2025

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou , the creator and owner of the easy family of brands ( www.easy.com ,  www.easyHistory.info ) is offering cash prizes totalling £300,000 to three young entrepreneurs in the UK for the second year. The awards will be open from 6 January 2025 for owners of start-ups younger than 34 years old born in 1990 or later. The closing date for entries is 28 March 2025. Businesses must have been registered at UK Companies House in the last five years since 2019, with accounts showing revenues of at least £200,000 per year. Applicant entrepreneurs must be a director

Major overhaul of higher technical education announced

New package of measures for higher technical education will build on the work to transform technical and vocational education in Britain Measures to boost the quality and take-up of higher technical education to help plug skill gaps, level up opportunities and support the UK’s economic recovery have been announced by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. A major review last year revealed that higher technical education – technical qualifications like Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas that sit between A Level and degrees – can unlock the  skills employers need  and lead to highly skilled, well paid jobs. Despite this, not

IPG Celebrtate 40th Anniversary

Forty Years of Excellence: Celebrating the IPG Antony Vanderpump, Chairman of The Silversmiths and Jewellers Charity with Janet Weller FIPG CIPG. The Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of dedication to preserving and promoting the highest standards in craftsmanship. The membership organisation saw its biggest attendance yet, at a gathering last week in Hatton Garden. Janet Weller FIPG CIPG, an award winning jeweller and goldsmith and Chair of The Institute of Professional Goldsmiths invited members and guests alike to an evening of celebration for the milestone event. Founded to provide recognition to those trained at the

Highlights of the RCA2023 Show

Last week we ventured into the wilds of Battersea, London specifically to the (new to us) campus for Jewellery, Goldsmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art for the 2023 Show. The show, split over two levels, also had a mixture of glass and ceramics on display. Here are our highlights of the now one year MA cohort. Machi de Waard I make my modernist silver and gold jewellery at my studio in Reading, Berkshire, where I’ve been working for more than 15 years. From January 2010 to December 2011, I was Jeweller in Residence at South Hill

Birmingham City University win at New Designers

An aspiring  jeweller from Birmingham City University is one step closer to her dream career after being crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ at the prestigious New Designers showcase last week.   An aspiring  jeweller from Birmingham City University is one step closer to her dream career after being crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ at the prestigious New Designers showcase this week.       Augusta Lazenb y, a final-year Design for Industry student, is just one of the five BCU Jewellery students recognised for their exceptional creative work at the showcase.    Her 10-piece ring collection won plaudits from the

Luxury Institute: The Three Skills Of Luxury Customer Experience In The Digital Age

In the Luxury Institite's second July white paper, they challenge luxury executives and brands to step up and lead advanced personalization in the digital age. To do so, they believe that it requires mastery of three critical skills: personal data expertise, AI expertise, and emotional intelligence expertise. Luxury executives and brands that fail to master this triad of critical skills will be marginalized, or worse. This is a challenge worthy of the luxury goods and services industry. Most brands in the luxury goods and services industry were late to the last decade’s digital transformation party. Others are resting easy because

Collect 2020

Collect 2019 Somerset House, Strand, London 27 - 28 February 2020 The International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design is at Somerset House from 27 February - 1 March, 2020. Collect is the only gallery-presented art fair dedicated to modern craft and design. Now in its 16th year, Collect has been instrumental in defining and growing the market for contemporary craft. This year, Collect brings together international galleries from across the globe, each curating their own displays to sell work made in the last five years by the world’s leading contemporary artists and designers. With artists represented from over

INHORGENTA MUNICH 2021 is cancelled

Due to the ongoing travel and contact restrictions designed to stop the spread of the global coronavirus pandemic, Messe München has decided to cancel INHORGENTA MUNICH 2021. The decision was taken in detailed consultation with the advisory board, as well as exhibitors, visitors and partners of Europe’s leading platform for jewelry, watches and gemstones. The focus is now on preparing for a successful INHORGENTA MUNICH 2022—scheduled to take place from February 11 to 14—and on further developing the digital INHORGENTA TRENDFACTORY. The next edition of this series will be held in the fall of this year. Last November, Messe München

BCU Design students showcase bespoke ensembles at opera event

Students from Birmingham City University (BCU)’s Institute of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles showcased their costume and jewellery design skills at a special Voice of Black Opera (VOBO) event last week, creating bespoke ensembles worn by the project’s finalists. The VOBO project aims to promote the Commonwealth’s finest Black and South Asian singers as they launch international operatic careers, the finals took place at a Gala ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall. Competing were five finalists, each wearing bespoke concert outfits and coordinating jewellery pieces researched and designed by BCU Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles students, in collaboration with the Black British Classical

Benchpeg turns 18!

Unbelievably ( to us )  t his February, the 6th to be exact, Benchpeg turned 18. Benchpeg was formed back in 2006, in an environment where the jewellery, silver and allied trades faced myriad challenges such as fragmentation and lack of interconnectivity and when digital media was in its infancy. Yes, we’re that old. We hope that we have helped address some of those issues over the last 18 years. We couldn't have made it this far down the road without our fantastic community of jewellers, retailers, makers, silversmiths, educators, those at the bench and those in the background, the

Benchpeg turns 18 - A selection of quotes

We've been delighted and humbled to recieve some fantastic quotes on how Benchpeg's contribution to the sector over the last two decades has effected change...   “ www. benchpeg .com wittily gathers all corners of the jewellery trade through the ubiquitous symbol that identifies us: the humble benchpeg. As with many great things, simple is often best and most effective! Congratulations." Cassandra Goad “Benchpeg is the authoritative resource for the jewellery sector, and it is testament to the regard in which it is held, and the tireless work of its staff and supporters, that it is still going strong after 18

BATF announces winner Jubilee silverware competition

BATF are delighted to announce Tim Lukes of Lukes & Co as the winner of its silverware competition to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. Launching the competition last December, the BATF invited submissions from UK-based designers and silversmiths based on the theme of ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’. The BATF received a wonderful variety of pieces, and the judging panel remarked about the high-quality of entries. BATF President Andrew Hinds, from Jewellers F Hinds, commented on the first ever selected CAD rendered submission, “A beautifully presented submission which enables the judge to visualise the

Serpenti Metamorphosis by Refik Anadol

Serpenti Metamorphosis   by Refik Anadol Gallery 3, Saatchi Gallery, London 25th November - 23rd December 2022 Bulgari embarks on a new chapter with award-winning media artist and director Refik Anadol. After last year’s success with their exhibition and digital experience in Piazza del Duomo in Milan, it is London’s chance to celebrate the second chapter of  Serpenti Metamorphosis. From November 25th to December 23rd, Bulgari will present an immersive experience with Refik Anadol’s artwork representing its most famous icon, Serpenti, within the world-renowned Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, for the first time ever. It will be the

Hoffmann Group UK aims to double in size with customer-centric reorganisation

Hoffmann Group UK ,  Europe's leading system partner for quality tools, workstations and personal protective equipment (PPE), has transformed its national strategy in order to better serve its customers.  To provide its customer base with a more bespoke, effective service, the business is bolstering the number of experts available to advise and consult with clients. Specifically, the business is increasing technical expertise, introducing dedicated support for large national accounts and additional specialised resource to support services such as inventory management, calibration and repairs.  The reorganisation also sees Peter Borrowdale, who joined the business last year, being appointed as National Sales Manager. Hoffmann

A celebration of 30 years of Bishopsland Educational Trust Exhibition

A celebration of 30 years of Bishopsland Educational Trust Exhibition 17 June to 29 July 2023 The New Ashgate Gallery, Surrey Bishopsland Educational Trust has nurtured the careers of over 200 silversmiths and jewellers over the last 30 years. Today the Bishopsland society of Fellows are some of the foremost craftspeople in their field, continuing to pass their skills onto others and contributing to the vibrancy of the British craft sector. This exhibition celebrates both new and established makers from the Bishopsland, showcasing exceptional and highly collectable jewellery and silversmithing work. The makers from Bishopsland alumni are Sarah Shelton-Palmer, Charlotte

Experts share insight on non-essential retail shops reopening and provide reassurance on how to shop safely

This week, all non-essential retail shops re-opened after 12 weeks of closure since the COVID-19 outbreak. Hundreds of thousands of non-essential retail shops across England are set to reopen including Shopping centres and shops will look and operate differently compared to three months ago, when the public were last shopping in them.  To inform the public on what to expect and showcase the new changes that have been implemented, shopping expert and TV star Gok Wan along with media doctor Dr Zoe Williams were granted early access to some stores on London’s iconic Oxford Street to find out more before they

'Out Of The Shallows’ - Falkland Islands jeweller Alice Clarke's new collection

Fine jeweller Alice Clarke creates one of a kind ocean treasures at the bottom of the World in the Falkland Islands. Her new collection ‘Out Of The Shallows’  was launched last week in New York at the Melee The Show. Living and working in the Falkland Islands, where her waterfront studio sits in Stanley, with a population of 3,000, Alice creates all her work in-house. From casting to stone setting, Alice’s little workshop is a hub of creativity. Alice exhibited her jewellery collections in New York for the first time at the beginning of August. Her “ very nautical year”,

Fashion Illustration Workshop with Giles Deacon

Fashion Illustration Workshop with Giles Deacon Online & Physical 23 February /19:00 - 21:00 Last year we indulged you with a glut of drawing workshops and we are back with more! And who better to lead us but renowned fashion designer Giles Deacon. Esteemed for his one-off couture pieces and collections, Giles' famous sketches are held in the highest regard. With his work published in the likes of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and LOVE magazine, each illustration stands as its own piece of art. Giles’ designs are characterised by grand scale glamour and intricacy. In this workshop Giles will discuss his

Jacobs mark 75th Anniversary with £175,000 charity fundraising target

Reading’s trusted independent jeweller announces exciting fundraising plans, marking their important anniversary with a grand £175,000 target Jacobs announced on Friday an ambitious fundraising program for 2023 in which the established and trusted independent jewellery retailer marks its 75th anniversary in business. The Berkshire based jewellers has always had close links with the community it serves and this bedrock commitment remains honoured. Incredibly, over the last decade Jacobs has already helped fundraise £136,000 for their charity partner: local NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Berks Charity. In this coming year, Jacobs hope to fundraise a further £39,000 to make that total

London Diamond Bourse Announces Changes in Leadership: Joint Presidency and Historic Appointment of First Female Vice President

The London Diamond Bourse is pleased to announce significant changes within its Council of Management, aimed at ensuring the continued growth and success of the organisation. After careful consideration and unanimous approval from the committee, the following decisions were made: Joint Presidency: During last year’s annual general meeting, Mr. Alan Cohen, the current President, announced that this year would mark his final term in office. As President, Alan holds key positions within the World Federation of Diamond Bourses’ Executive Council and the World Diamond Council, among others. To allow Alan to focus on these critical responsibilities, and with unanimous support

Jeweller Stephen Saliba tells Benchpeg what its like in Italy during Covid-19

Jeweller Stephen Saliba has been a resident in Bristol for over 40 years. In the last year he took the plunge and re-located to Italy. He tells Benchpeg what its been like to relocate and set up a business during a pandemic. With over ten years of teaching experience, Stephen decided to set up a workshop and school of jewellery ‘Art Lab Todi’ in the historic town of Todi in Umbria. The school and workshop are located on the ground floor of a palace, within a town full of architectural gems and history. The Jewellery School is set up with

Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction achieved a total of CHF53,661,500

Christie’s   Magnificent Jewels  auction achieved a total of CHF53,661,500, with 11 lots selling above a million and 93% of lots sold. The auction saw global participation from 32 countries, across 4 continents. Christie’s  Magnificent Jewels  auction achieved a total of CHF53,661,500, with 11 lots selling above a million and 93% of lots sold. The auction saw global participation from 32 countries, across 4 continents. The historic diamonds owned by Marie-Antoinette, the last Queen of France, which passed through the family by descent for the next 250 years led the auction. The jewels, made by Boehmer in 1776, attracted bidding from

Homage to Earth: Hidden Treasures by Teresa Seabra

During one of her last visits to India, Teresa Seabra met an old man who had been collecting wonderful dendritic agates since his childhood. He then confided her with great sadness, that none of his successors cared about his treasure. She so decided to take some of them, working with these mysterious stones by combining them with others, with tiny Basra pearls and rough little diamonds writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Necklace: Hidden Treasures I, 2016 Oxidized silver, dendritic agates and crystal rock Necklace: Hidden Treasures II, 2016 Gold, dendritic agates and amber Agate is the name given to numerous varieties of banded Chalcedony,

Museum of Arts And Design New York, Appoints Christian Larsen as Windgate Research Curator

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) today announced the appointment of Christian Larsen to the position of Windgate Research Curator, effective immediately.  In this position, funded by the Windgate Charitable Foundation, Larsen will lead an educational and curatorial partnership between the Museum of Arts and Design and Bard Graduate Center (BGC) to increase the visibility of craft and design in art history and the contemporary art world. He replaces Elissa Auther who was named Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and William and Mildred Lasdon Chief Curator last September. 'With great enthusiasm, we welcome Christian to the curatorial team at

Memories are Made of This

Last week saw the launch of a new exhibition curated by Corinne Julius, journalist, broadcast critic and curator specialising in contemporary craft and design. ‘Memories are Made of This’ showcases 15 makers who made three specific pieces each in response to a provocation arranged by the curator to embody sensations of remembrance. Gallery owner Sarah Myerscough said,  "This is the first jewellery show at the gallery, and we are so intrigued to show work on this personal scale. Wearable sculpture is an important and highly influential aspect of contemporary craft and we are delighted to be able to collaborate with

What can Jewellery Businesses Learn from the Celestial Trend?

A recent report by WGSN, the leading experts in fashion forecasting, reveals that astrology themed fashion is going nowhere this year. Americans spent $2.2m on mystical services in 2018, according to research firm IBISWorld, while a Pew Research Centre survey of American adults released last year found that 37% of women and 20% of men said they believed in astrology. According to the report, the rise in New Age spirituality has emerged as a result of anxiety. Political, societal, economic and environmental concerns leave us searching for meaning and control in our lives.  Let’s face it though, the skies will

School of Jewellery present Goblet to British Allied Trades Federation

The School of Jewellery and HND Course Director Dauvit Alexander were delighted to recently present the finished award-winning goblet to Kate Owen, Past President of The British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) in the School’s Vittoria Street home. The BATF launched the competition at the School to provide an opportunity for students to design to commission, thereby promoting newly qualified talent in the industry.  Dating back to 1954, the BATF Presidency has been recognised by the addition of a solid silver goblet to the Federation’s silver collection. This collection was instigated to support and showcase craftsmanship and design. For the last three

Enamelling Workshops - Enamel with Decals

Enamelling Workshops FORGE, Hatton Garden 16 March, 20 April, 6th July Immerse yourself in the vibrant colourful world of enamelling with FORGE’s upcoming workshops! Did you miss out on our last enamelling taster session a few weeks ago? Not to worry! Here’s your chance to join in and master this ancient craft with the talented and multi award winning Linda Connelly with our upcoming enamelling workshops. "Great venue, great tutor, great course, great fun!" - Andrew Beney, February 2024 workshop participant. Cloisonné In this class you will learn how to use vitreous enamelling techniques and cloisonné wires to create a

Ear Piercing Suppliers show at Jewellery & Watch 2020

As the high street sees a sharp rise with in-store presence for retail jewellers, Studex UK Ltd and Inverness Safe and Gentle Ear Piercing will show at Jewellery & Watch 2020 to offer advice to retailers looking for a new revenue stream without online competition. Two leading suppliers of ear-piercing systems for the UK jewellery retail sector will exhibit at Jewellery & Watch 2020 from February 2-6. The teams behind Studex UK Ltd and Inverness Safe and Gentle Ear Piercing will offer on-site demonstrations, insights and advice into this trending retail solution, which has undergone significant growth in the last

Silver in the Fast Lane - 40 Years of Fox Silver

Silver in the Fast Lane - 40 Years of Fox Silver 10 June to 22 June 2024 Goldsmiths’ Hall, London The Goldsmiths’ Company is honoured to present a retrospective to celebrate the work of Fox Silver at Goldsmiths’ Hall this summer. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see the work of Fox Silver, revealing Serena and Richard Fox's collaborative partnership over the last 40 years. It includes iconic pieces, from F1®️ trophies to Goldsmiths’ Company commissions, pieces from private collections, Downing Street, Bulgari, Lambeth Palace and a collection of fine jewellery. Alongside the exhibition will be a programme of

A launch weekend fit for a silversmith

Last weekend Benchpeg spent a long weekend 'At Home with Silver' hosted by the The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) and Marchmont House. The Friday through to Sunday event, located an hour south of Edinburgh near Duns in the Scottish Borders, brought together 82 guests on the Saturday Open Day launch from across the UK and internationally to the Marchmont Estate. Together the collective gathered to celebrate the opening of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop - a brand new fully equipped workspace for silversmiths, developed by the SGT in partnership with Marchmont Creative Spaces.  Present at the event were practising silversmiths, curators,

£8000 Silver commission to mark the end of the Great War

Birmingham based British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) receive the commemorative ‘Silence Fell’ silverware to mark the end of the Great War. Last year the BATF board decided to commission a special piece to join its boardroom silver collection of over 50 items and tasked one of its member associations, The National Association of Jewellers, to help find a fitting item.  A national competition was held to design and make a piece of silverware to commemorate the end of the First World War, taking that ceasefire as inspiration. At the beginning of the year Claire Malet was announced as the designer

Goldsmiths' Company Apprentice, Sam McMahon, to Compete in Worldskills Finals in Russia

Last Friday 8 March, set against a backdrop of luxury cars, three Goldsmiths’ company apprentices battled it out for a spot on the UK team at the Worldskills Finals in Kazan, Russia this Summer.  Apprentices, Sam McMahon from Mappin & Webb , George Schembri from B&M Bijoux and Robert Dean from The House of Garrard, spent three days in Nottingham demonstrating their exceptional technical skills in jewellery making. Set to the task of creating an Aston Martin badge to a specific design, testing their accuracy, time management and problem-solving skills. Sam McMahon proved his mettle against his fellow competitors taking

Icelandic Designer, Aurum, to Release Collection Inspired Norse Sea Goddess Rán

Rán admires her reflection in the sea, bathes in the sun and her shadow dances with the waves. Rán has the ability to nourish the eyes and the spirit and the will to draw guests to Aurum, where she wraps around their wrists, fingers and cheek, cherishes them and gives new life. The new collection, due to be released online on 29th March, is one of a series inspired by Norse mythology; Rán is the final story from Aurum’s three sisters collections and her predecessors the Norse Sea Goddesses Sindur and Kolga launched last year. Aurum takes inspiration from the

Experimental Workshop of Contemporary Jewellery with natural materials with Carlos Silva

OBSERVE - COLLECT - INTERVENE - EXPERIENCE Experimental Workshop of Contemporary Jewellery with natural materials with Carlos Silva October 11 th  to 13 th  2019 Red Stables, St. Ann’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 The aim of this workshop is to introduce students to the knowledge and practice of using found natural materials within the field of contemporary jewellery. St. Ann’s Park will be the starting point for the participants to explore, observe, experiment and test their creativity in the design of jewellery. A small exhibition will be made with the resulting pieces of this process on the last afternoon. Participants

Miss World China crowned with Fei Liu's glorious £11 million masterpiece

Fei Liu's magnificent Blue of Dreams tiara, worth £11 million and featuring a stunning 88 carat sapphire, was placed ceremoniously on the head of Chinese beauty queen Guan Siyu last week when she won the Miss World China 2017 pageant in Dalian, China. The Fei Liu Fine Jewellery founder collaborated with the New Silkroutes Group Ltd to create his amazing  masterpiece and took a full 9 months to complete it - in a painstaking process of design and intricate craftsmanship. Look closely and you will see the majestic 88ct Sri Lanka blue sapphire set in platinum, six high-grade over sapphires,

Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Launch the 19/20 'Jewellery Oscars' at IJL 2019

As well as hosting a programme of glittering events at this years' International Jewellery London, the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council also launched the 2019/20 edition of the Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Awards, lovingly dubbed the "Oscars of the Industry".  The annual GC&DC Awards inspire and encourage excellence and skills development among graduates, apprentices, designers and masters working in jewellery, silversmithing and the allied trades. This year is host to some interesting design briefs, centred around Endangered Species, reinventing the Champagne Glass, and Sustainable Jewellery. Previous recipients of the awards were on display, including  last years' Cartier Award winner Tony

Professor Paul O’Prey CBE Appointed Chair Of Trustees For The Edward James Foundation

Professor Paul O’Prey CBE has been appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Edward James Foundation which is responsible for West Dean College of Arts and Conservation.  The College is charting an ambitious trajectory of growth and is recognised for excellence in arts and conservation education.  At the end of December 2019 Professor O’Prey will replace the Hon Peter Benson LVO MA FCA who is stepping down after seventeen years as a Trustee, ten of them as Chairman.  For the last fifteen years Professor O’Prey has been Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Roehampton, London, stepping down

Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan

Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan Asia House, London 14 -17 September 2019 Renowned jewellery artist and innovator, Wallace Chan, will be presenting his first solo show in London, Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan, at Asia House from 14-17 September 2019. It is Wallace Chan's first-ever solo exhibition in London, and the last in a series of three international exhibitions, following presentations at Crosby Street Hotel, New York in November 2018 and Christie’s Gallery Hong Kong in January 2019. It is also the first time that The Wallace Chan Porcelain will be introduced to art lovers and connoisseurs in

Wallace Chan to present first-ever solo exhibition in London

Renowned jewellery artist and innovator, Wallace Chan, will be presenting his first solo show in London, Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan, at Asia House from 14-17 September 2019. Hera Brooch and Ring It is Wallace Chan's first-ever solo exhibition in London, and the last in a series of three international exhibitions, following presentations at Crosby Street Hotel, New York in November 2018 and Christie’s Gallery Hong Kong in January 2019. It is also the first time that The Wallace Chan Porcelain will be introduced to art lovers and connoisseurs in London. The exhibition will feature 20 jewellery pieces realised

This Fine Jewellery could Save Someone's Life

Medical ID bracelets can make all the difference when it comes to a prompt diagnosis in a medical emergency, especially where communication is comprimised. Created to quickly identify a range of conditions, such as allergies, diabetes, dimentia and many more, they are arguably the most important piece of jewellery the wearer will ever own. Jewellerybox, a London-based online company who have been making waves. Over the last year, they launched an International Women's Day collection to benefit local women's shelters and partnered with app 'reGAIN' to encourage consumers to recycle.  Their latest offering of Medical ID bracelets comes at a

Gemfields reveal newly discovered ‘Inkalamu’ 5,655 carat emerald

Gemfields have revealed the discovery of ‘Inkalamu’, the Lion Emerald, a 5,655 carat Zambian emerald crystal with remarkable clarity and a perfectly balanced golden green hue which was uncovered early last month. Inkalamu was discovered at Kagem, the world’s largest emerald mine, which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia (which belongs in turn to the Government of the Republic of Zambia). “The discovery of this exceptional gemstone is such an important moment both for us and for the emerald world in general” commented Elena Basaglia, Gemfields’ dynamic London-based gemmologist. “We are experiencing

Flame Off 2019

Flame Off 2019 31 May - 2 June 2019 Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire Over the last seven years we have brought hundreds of glass beadmakers together in 2 halls over one weekend to play with glass and fire (sounds like a safety officers nightmare!) Ever wondered how some of the top artists work things like fine stringers? or what their encasing techniques are? Upstairs in the top hall we have the best worldwide lamp work artists demonstrating infront of cameras which seats 150 people, those images are beamed onto large high definition screens making it very easy to watch

Nailing The Crystal Look In Geode Goodness

With the runways awash with the footsteps of hundreds of models in new season thigh high boots, houndstooth print seen left right and centre and bold granny chic adornments dangly from polished and preened earlobes, fashion week has once again descended upon our calendars! Last fall the jewellery and beauty worlds came together in all their tantalising trends to bring us spellbinding galaxy nail art and geode lips. Makeup artists have made it easier for you to take your covetable crystal collection everywhere with you by drawing inspiration from the world's prettiest gemstones and turning it into gorgeous geode nail

Goldsmiths' Fair shows at international craft event Collect

The Goldsmiths’ Company took their flagship event, the Goldsmiths’ Fair, to the international craft event hosted by the Crafts Council, Collect, which enjoyed an international representation of craft galleries, boutiques and high end craft organisations, opening up craft to new audiences .Collect marketed as ‘The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects’ was held at Saatchi Gallery in exclusive Chelsea, London over the last few days. The Goldsmiths’ Company’s flagship event, under the control of Director David Mills, brouth the Fai to the event for the first time, and featured a selection of makers from the 2017 show, which included Emmeline

Jewellery Craft Fair, Millets Farm Centre

Millets Farm Centre are pleased to announce that they will be hosting their annual "Jewellery Craft Fair” on Saturday 25 November 2017. The event will be located in the upstairs Lakeview Suite here at Millets Farm Centre. The event will be open from 10am to 4pm. Millets Farm Centre held their first two Jewellery events last year and received some lovely feedback from both customers and exhibitors. With a footfall of 300 on both occasions, we are excited that the concept has proved popular and with a few adjustments are looking forward to this event becoming an annual feature in

Shannon O’Neill creates DNA double helix silverware for Grand National Trophy

Silversmith Shannon O’Neill was commissioned for a third consecutive year to create the ‘Randox Health Grand National Trophy’. The commission brief was to design something ‘very different from last year’. Inspiration came from the sponsors of the event Randox, who wanted the trophy to showcase their most recent breakthroughs in health care: heart disease, Alzheimers, stroke and dairy screening. The  preventative healthcare company and the emphasis on saving and extending lives allowed O’Neill to focus on optimum health. “Choosing the theme of ‘Celebration’ and based on the classic ‘coupes’ style champagne glass, the top bowl of the Trophy has a

Appointment: Francesca Amfitheatrof appointed Louis Vuitton artistic director

French fashion house LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has unveiled former Tiffany & Co design  director Francesca Amfitheatrof as their new artistic director to shape their new high jewellery and watch collections. Amfitheatrof, 49, who was born in Japan and trained at Chelsea Art School, Central St Martins School of Art and Royal College of Art, left Tiffany & Co  last year after overseeing their product lines for four years and has since been instrumental in the launch of new collections for Chanel and Marni. This week, her appointment as artistic director at Louis Vuitton was confirmed, guaranteeing a prime

Francesca Amfitheatrof appointed Louis Vuitton artistic director

French fashion house LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has unveiled former Tiffany & Co design  director Francesca Amfitheatrof as their new artistic director to shape their new high jewellery and watch collections. Amfitheatrof, 49, who was born in Japan and trained at Chelsea Art School, Central St Martins School of Art and Royal College of Art, left Tiffany & Co  last year after overseeing their product lines for four years and has since been instrumental in the launch of new collections for Chanel and Marni. This week, her appointment as artistic director at Louis Vuitton was confirmed, guaranteeing a prime

Artisan Paul Wayne Gregory creates a giant Rotary Greenwich Timepiece replica from Chocolate for C4's Extreme Chocolate Makers

Last week, Rotary made its TV debut on the Channel 4 show, Extreme Chocolate Makers. The new series follows chocolatiers from around the UK as they tackle tricky builds and complicated commissions in an attempt to deliver a little bit of chocolate heaven. Ahead of its 125th birthday, Rotary commissioned Paul Wayne Gregory, of the TV show, to create a griant-sized replica of one of their most popular watches. The Greenwich timepiece, is a particularly challenging feat in chocolatiering- with its skeletal detailing and intricately detailed face. Image caption or copyright  Paul, who creates bespoke chocolate commissions for a living, has

Cancelled - International Jewellery London 2020

Cancelled - International Jewellery London 2020 13 - 15 September 2020 Alexandra Palace, London IJL, the UK’s Leading Jewellery Trade Event, will take place from Sunday 13 – Tuesday 15 September, 2020, at a new London venue, the historic Alexandra Palace. Alexandra Palace is one of the UK’s most renowned and historic exhibition spaces, whose heritage and style evoke the jewellery industry it will showcase. Set in beautiful parkland, only 10 minutes north of Kings Cross, Alexandra Palace has long been a beacon for domestic and international visitors for concerts, events and exhibitions during its 146 years. In the last

Jeremy France Jewellers raise £11,000 for Murray Parish Trust

Jeremy France Jewellers have smashed their £10k target for donations made to local charity, The Murray Parish Trust, raising nearly £11,000 in just over a year. Since October 2016, the independent Winchester jewellers have been taking charitable donations for all jewellery polishing, as well as holding  in-store events and raffles to raise much needed funds for the cause. Founded in 2014 by married actors Sarah Parish and James Murray in memory of their daughter Ella-Jayne, who sadly passed away in 2009, The Murray Parish Trust endeavours to transform the department in which their baby daughter spent her last precious days.

Four Accomplished Bright Young Gems Assemble at IJL 2019

International Jewellery London 2019 is set to illuminate four new Bright Young Gems, shining a light on exciting and emerging talent in the jewellery industry. All four of the winners this year hail from the prestigious Central Saint Martins.  Selected by industry judges Nyasha Pitt; Charlie Miller; Katerina Perez; Danny Hall and Bobby White, the four winning designers will be exhibiting at IJL in just a couple of days, all having freshly attended a bespoke mentoring workshop last month, designed to help the winners maximise their IJL experience,  This year, 'Gem' is the operative word for at least two of

Pip pip hooray for Little by Little

The humble apple pip is the focus of The Pip Collection, the new autumn range from Brighton-based ethical brand Little by Little Jewellery which was founded last year by designer Annabel Cox and Georgina Fuggle, food editor, cookery book writer and photographer. Working in conjunction with international charity Action Against Hunger, Little by Little's third collection in 12 months is once again all about food. Its first two collections the Seville and the Wedge were influenced by segments of the Andalusian Seville orange and slices of watermelon respectively and the third, inspired by the apple pip, comprises two necklaces, one

Five grants awarded to help save endangered crafts

A new mobile facility to teach neon bending and the restoration of one of the last surviving damask looms are among the projects that have recently received funds to help ensure a better future for some of the UK’s most endangered crafts. The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA), which earlier this year published the latest edition of its groundbreaking HCA Red List of Endangered Crafts , has awarded the first five grants from its Endangered Crafts Fund, launched in July 2019 to increase the likelihood of endangered crafts surviving into the next generation. The first five recipients of the HCA Endangered

PHINE

Jewellery Collective by VS Jewellery School Vannetta Seecharran is pleased to present a collection of works by former diploma students of VS Jewellery School, London. Based in Hatton Garden the school offers an array of courses from taster classes for the complete beginner to specialist courses including wax carving and stone setting as well as year-long diploma courses. Coming together for this exhibition, eight designers, who have all graduated within the last three years, will showcase a diverse body of work reflecting their various passions and influences – from bold geometric forms constructed with precision to free flowing organic shapes

Q&A: David Fowkes

David Fowkes has been running his own atelier, David Fowkes Jewellery, for the last 25 years. He specialises in bespoke, avant garde jewellery designs, painstakingly sourcing unique stones, cut and faceted by specialist artisan stone cutters making use of geometric lines and natural inclusions within the stones themselves. He has exhibited regularly at the Goldsmiths' Fair and is based in a Grade I listed Coach House, set in the grounds of the 18th Century Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire.  He answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? DF:  David Fowkes, I spend my day playing

Make Your Mark Awards 2019 Winners Announced

Now in its third year, the Make Your Mark award ceremony, organised by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, was held on Tuesday as part of the wider Make Your Mark event. The event, and the competition, were designed to celebrate and promote the British Hallmark.  As the event is largely geared towards newcomers to the trade, the competition has two entrance categories, one for industry members who completed their training within the last 5 years, and one to accommodate those who are a little earlier in their careers, for students and apprentices.    Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden of the

Midhurst Contemporary Craft Show 2017

Midhurst Contemporary Craft Show Sussex Guild We are delighted to be returning to the spacious, modern surroundings of the recently-built Midhurst Rother College – last year’s show proved very popular with visitors and exhibitors alike. Once again highly-skilled designer-makers from Sussex and the adjoining counties will provide a colourful feast of creativity to brighten the dark days of winter. The show is perfectly timed for Christmas shopping and, with over fifty members of The Sussex Guild showing their beautiful and varied work, visitors will be spoilt for choice. The café within the show area will provide light refreshments throughout the

Online retailer, Jewellerybox, launch split payment method for large orders

Jewellerybox, the London based online jewellery store, have been all over our news pages recently. The company, whose mantra is to create fine jewellery at costume prices, have been making waves with their business model; which seems to be resembling popular fashion brands. Earlier in the year, we saw Jewellerybox partner with the app regain, to offer customers discounts in exchange for recycling their clothes. And last month, released an International Women’s Day collection, where purchases were matched 1 to 1 with donations to women’s shelters throughout London.  Keeping up with all the latest e-commerce trends, such as same-day delivery

Winners of the Goldsmiths' Fair Best New Design Award Week 1 & 2

The winners of Goldsmiths’ Fair Best New Design Award for Week One and Week Two have been announced during the event’s run in the last two weeks. This year’s Week One winner was chosen by Victoria Broackes, senior curator for the department of theatre and performance at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Vicky chose Hazel Thorn as the winner, for her latest collection of work. Hazel uses a combination of base and precious metals, constructing metal sheets which she transforms into sculptural vessels. Hazel then applies the same chemical patination to the whole object which affects the mixed metals in

Blossoming Alyssum heralds 2018 buzz for Fei Liu Fine Jewellery

It was clear from the clamour around his stand at the IJL last September that Fei Liu was offering something special and the Christmas sales figures unveiled this week confirmed the newly-launched Alyssum Collection as one of his most popular to date. Just three months after Alyssum was launched by British brand Fei Liu Fine Jewellery,  it became the brand's best seller for the Christmas period, which considering the depth and breadth of his many collections suggests the high levels of interest at the show were backed up by high levels of orders. It effectively doubled Fei Liu Fine Jewellery’s

Scotland’s art colleges sign up to Ethical Making Pledge

The Incorporation of Goldsmiths celebrated a major milestone in its drive to make Scotland the world leader in ethical silverware and jewellery by gathering Scotland's jewellery colleges at its symposium and adopting an 'Ethical Making Pledge'. Representatives of Scotland’s leading art colleges offering HND and degree level courses in jewellery and silversmithing gathered last week at an international symposium and put their names to the Incorporation of Goldsmiths’ Ethical Making Pledge designed to help the country become a world leader in ethical gold and silver work. The move reflects a growing determination among makers, designers, educators and consumers to demand

Collect 2019

Collect 2019 Crafts Council Saatchi Gallery, London Collect will return to London’s Saatchi Gallery for its 15th edition from 28th February - 3rd March 2019 Collect : The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects is about more than admiring and acquiring exceptional artwork from hundreds of the world’s most talented makers; it’s also an opportunity to explore and engage with some of the most intriguing ideas and personal stories in modern-day craft practice.  The only gallery-presented art fair dedicated to modern craft and design; see high-quality, exceptional work produced in the last five years by living artists, much of which

The Goldsmiths’ Company Delivers the Largest Conference in the World to Date to Address Jewellery Materials

Last week, the Goldsmiths’ Company delivered the first Jewellery Materials Congress. The conference, which is the largest conference world-wide to address jewellery technology, was created to support the jewellery and silverware community, by providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge to better the industry, free of commercialisation.  Over the two-day conference, a wide agenda of topics was addressed through a series of talks and Q&A, broadly categorised by four themes: academic research, visions of the industry, and artisan and industrial materials manufacture. These talks were delivered by a panel of eighteen international speakers, including keynotes delivered by Eddie Bell,

Allum & Sidaway Dorchester revamp wins customer approval

Award winning local jewellers Allum & Sidaway report a successful refit and festive period. The family run company closed for several weeks last autumn for a full revamp of their Dorchester head office including the expansion of their sales floor.  “We have been looking forward to creating a more luxurious retail destination for sometime now and are delighted to have invested further in our local high street.  We believe the design and features of our revamped store will prove a winning formula and are thrilled to see this has been reflected in a positive uplift of fine jewellery sales over

Head of David Fowkes Jewellery Climbs New Heights

Dr Rona Mackenzie, Chief Operating Officer of jewellery designer, David Fowkes, is to embark upon the challenge of a lifetime in order to support UK innovators in business. Rona has pledged to climb the highest points in each of the seven continents of the world, starting with Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, last month. All funds raised by Rona will support a new charity, D3, launched to help support businessmen and women in getting creative, innovative and dynamic projects off the ground. David Fowkes is generously supporting D3 through the creation of a unique, handmade piece of jewellery

The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh launch first Ethical Making Resource

The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh is set to host its second Ethical Making Symposium and Workshop event entitled It's In Our Hands - One Year On . At the event in Edinburgh next week the organisation will also launch the first ever Ethical Making Resource for jewellers and silversmiths. The Incorporation is a non-profit organisation set up by Royal Charter in 1687 which operates two charities, ‘Silver of the Stars’ and ‘The Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust’ and administers and operates the Edinburgh Assay Office. Spearheading Ethical Knowledge Last year it held a ground breaking two day event

Marcia Lanyon going going... almost gone

One of the UK’s industry’s leading figures Marcia Lanyon might be winding down her much loved business but customers have no reason to worry about being left in the lurch, she says. The 69 year-old gemmologist, who is one of the leading suppliers to jewellery designers and makers in the UK, announced her retirement last week having carved out an unrivalled reputation for sourcing precious stones from all corners of the planet. Over a period of 40 years, she has built up an enviable mailing list of around 7,000 clients but says none will be left high and dry when

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2019

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2019 10 -13 October 2019  Upper Campfield Market Hall, Manchester The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair returns for its 12th edition from 10-13 October 2019 to Upper Campfield Market Hall, Manchester. The GNCCF is the last word in contemporary craft selling events in the north. Founded by passion-fuelled people with an obsessive love of craft, and a desire to create a nationally renowned event, it’s no coincidence that the GNCCF has become the must-attend event for exhibitors and buyers alike. Expect a diverse range of work, talent and stories from leading designer-makers, including contemporary ceramicists,

Trends to Keep Watch of This Autumn

Hands up who's bored of waking up to nothing but rain, rain with a side of rain? Us too. As the seasonal calendar clicked over to a new month last week, it seems as if the weather Gods have also pulled the plug on any residual sunny heat leftover from summer, leaving us well and truly in the throes of a UK Autumn.  For those of us fashion mavens, not only is the end of summer a happy instance to refill our wardrobes with autumn fashion trends, but it also provides the perfect excuse to snuggle up indoors with a

Stephen Einhorn creates Tomb Raider Pendant Necklace

Stephen Einhorn is the jewellery designer behind the new re-boot of Tomb Raider film Lara Croft character’s bespoke pendant. The necklace is worn throughout the newly released Tomb Raider film by actress Alicia Vikander.  Oscar winner Vikander plays the daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished years earlier. Hoping to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance, Croft embarks on a journey to his last-known destination - a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. Lara must rely on her sharp mind, blind faith and stubborn spirit to venture into the unknown. The necklace was first seen

Ready to Wear: Karl Lagerfeld SS18 Launched

The House of Karl Lagerfeld has revealed its second ready to wear fashion collection for SS18. The first foray into fashion jewellery, Ikonic, Klassic Karl and Essentials, was made last autumn with the launch of the silver-plated, gold-plated and gunmetal finished pieces licensed by the Swarovski Group. For SS18T the Karl Lagerfeld label again offers high street friendly prices in ‘fashion jewellery’ collections which combine elegant, rock-chic styles with playful embellishments, including a new palette of multi-coloured pastel Swarovksi crystals. Again, the collection is divided into three groups:  Klassik Karl, Ikonik and Essentials . The collection will exclusively be available

W&W Jewellery celebrates 10th anniversary with studio refurbishment

Bespoke jewellery firm, W&W Jewellery has unveiled its new look Battersea boutique following a refurbishment last month. To celebrate its 10 th  anniversary, W&W has undergone a brand refresh that has seen it transform its Webbs Road studio and a new website launching in October. Harnessing their family’s 70 years of experience in the jewellery industry, brothers Richard and Simon Warrender founded W&W in 2007 to create a unique business model that specialises in bespoke jewellery, and is tailored to the needs of the modern luxury consumer. The new W&W studio has been carefully designed to create a luxurious yet

Go Bold, Go Big, Go Beautiful

What better way to kick off a brand new year than with a big, bright and colourful bang?​ This season, it's all about piling it up, layering it on and going for the real 'wow' factor when it comes to your accessories game. With collections rich in bold origami necklaces, statement candy coloured gemstone rings, designers have crafted their pieces to be worn in a mix , non-matching fashion. Wave goodbye to the dainty days of last year and hello to bold, brash and bright oversized jewellery. From clusters of rich colour to quirky designs interlaced with different textures and materials,

New Designers 2019 sparkles with a strong focus on Jewellery

Last week, New Designers kicked off its celebration of new design talent; connecting fresh graduates with industry professionals across a plethora of creative fields. On a glorious sunny Wednesday, Benchpeg attended the Business Design Centre in London to get a sneak-peak at the fresh talent; and was extremely pleased to see such a strong jewellery presence at the event.  New Designers prides itself on its progressive nature, stating “Great design never stands still, and should challenge the status quo. We champion new thinking, and new approaches to solving today’s problems through design. As society changes, so do New Designers.”  This

‘Now Radical’ Workshop With Ruudt Peters

‘Now Radical’ Workshop With Ruudt Peters  After the success of the last 16 years, this year Ruudt Peters begins his summer workshop under the title ‘NOW RADICAL’. Peters has been a professor at three of the most prestigious universities in Europe, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam 1990-2000, Ädellab at Konstfack University of Arts and Crafts in Stockholm 2004-2009, Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence 2009-2015. Through his Summer School he continues his teaching with a private program intended for students or graduates of art academies, and artists/designers/teachers who seek to deepen their work. Every year an international group of

Katy Tromans wins Artistar Jewels 2018 Award at Milan Fashion Week

Last month the winners of the fifth edition of Artistar Jewels were announced in Milan, Italy, where 2016 Birmingham School of Jewellery graduate Katy Tromans picked up an international award for her  amazing standards of detail. Artistar Jewels is an international competition dedicated to promotion of contemporary jewellery culture culminating in an awards ceremony and exhibition. The event took place in Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, Milan, Italy, a historical palace overlooing the Duomo Square, and hosted 450 creations from an array of international jewellery artists and designers. Entries on show at the Artistar Jewels 2018 exhibition in Milan, Italy Artistar Jewels 2018 was

Student brings award-winning Make Your Mark design to life

Yanmi Liu, one of the winning designers at last year’s Make Your Mark Awards, has included an original piece featuring her praised braille hallmark concept in her Graduate Show.  Lui, a Central St Martins student of BA Jewellery Design, won joint second prize at the inaugural Awards for her design, called The Simplicity of Braille, which proposed adding a braille version of the Millesimal Fineness mark to a hallmarked item. She has now incorporated this highly praised concept in the creation of a fine silver water bottle cuff, which was included in her 2017 Graduate Show at Central St Martins

Oh I do like to be by the seaside!

Blazing sunshine, warm tropical breezes and a national shortage of fruity ciders on the supermarket shelves can only mean one thing...Britain has been hit with a wave of unusual summer weather! With temperatures rising to record highs, it's not just nature that is throwing it back to fonder days, old school jewellery has also made a welcome comeback for the second summer running. Last Spring, preteen jewellery of cowrie shells and pukka shell bracelets dominated the must-have list of accessories and this year, it's back - only bigger, better and juicier than ever! It appears that every designer has jumped

Could 2018 mark new crypto era for UK jewellers?

Attempts to persuade UK gold dealers and jewellers to embrace the cryptocurrency Dash in their business plans in 2018 could enjoy a surge of activity following the award of 'wallets' of digital cash to 10 jewellers around the country. As part of a project to promote wider use of digital currency among retailers, a market survey, conducted in conjunction with the National Association of Jewellers last November, asked 2200 NAJ about their plans for the future use of Dash, an alternative to Bitcoin. A total of 201 companies responded, including some of the largest UK firms in the sector, many of them

Sian Evans Second Aluminium collection, Pars Pro Toto, Crosses the Boundaries of Art, Design and Fashion

Sian Evans is an award-winning British Jewellery designer, living and working in London. Her new collection, Pars Pro Toto, was launched at Paris Fashion Week last year to wide acclaim.  Sian’s love of archaeology, fashion, nature and technology; the history of tools and materials have informed her collections since she started her creative practice. Sian Evans Jewellery was first established in 1986, developing into an international label during the 1990s.  Sian is a lapsed fossil collector, brought up on the Jurassic coast in Dorset where she studied Geology. She has created pieces which are reminiscent of microscopic fossils, diatoms and

Jewellery Collective by VS Jewellery School

Jewellery Collective by VS Jewellery School Vannetta Seecharran is pleased to present a collection of works by former diploma students of VS Jewellery School, London. Based in Hatton Garden the school offers an array of courses from taster classes for the complete beginner to specialist courses including wax carving and stone setting as well as year-long diploma courses. Coming together for this exhibition, eight designers, who have all graduated within the last three years, will showcase a diverse body of work reflecting their various passions and influences – from bold geometric forms constructed with precision to free flowing organic shapes

Appointment: Geena Tok leaves Nike to head up Pandora China business

Pandora has recruited Geena Tok from Nike to head its business in China, where the Danish company has been challenged by a rise in sales on the grey market. Pandora has 200 stores and employs more than 1,400 people in China but has said it needs to counter China's grey market, where increasing numbers of jewellery pieces are imported from other markets and sold online. Last month Pandora, the world's largest jewellery maker by production volume, said it would lower retail prices in the country by an average of 15 percent. Chinese resident Tok joins Pandora next month, having spent

Catherine Hills 'takes over' Gill Wing

Gill Wing was the first gallery to show Catherine Hill’s distinctive jewellery, as a fresh graduate from the RCA, living locally in Islington. 20 years later, the gallery is allowing a 'take over' by the jeweller to celebrate their twenty year anniversary. Over the last twenty years Catherine Hills has won many awards for her nature inspired, textural treasures, as well as being famed as the chosen designer behind the jewellery for the box-office-breaking Harry Potter films. As one of Gill Wing Jewellery's original selected artists, Catherine has remained above fleeting trends with her unique and wearable designs, the epitome

Heritage Crafts Award Winners Announced

The last remaining professional fore-edge painter  Martin Frost  has been awarded Maker of the Year by the Heritage Crafts Association at its Textures of Craft conference on 6 th  May. Fore-edge painting is one of the seventeen critically endangered crafts identified by the HCA. Martin took up the craft of vanishing fore-edge painting in 1970, continuing an English tradition that dates back to the 17 th  century. Since then he has produced over 3,300 edge-paintings, many on carefully restored antique books.  His commitment to the craft as an artist and untiring efforts to raise its profile have won him respect

New Designers survey reveals entrepreneurial ambition

A survey of the best design graduates from across the UK, exhibiting over the last two weeks at New Designers in London, has revealed significant concerns about the cost of living in London, where traditionally the majority of creative jobs have been harboured, paired with an uncertainly over the impact of Brexit on the creative industries.  Asked about where they intend to work post-graduation, of the 27.5% who intend to set up in London, 79% cite ‘more exciting creative opportunities’ as the reason. However more than 2/3 plan to avoid the capital, with over 1/3 saying that the most significant

Allum & Sidaway Strike Gold Twice in their 75th Anniversary Year

CMJ members  Allum & Sidaway are celebrating another win after scooping two awards at the biggest night in the UK jewellery calendar; the UK Jewellery Awards. Amongst stiff competition from a record number of applicants, they received the very prestigious Retailer of The Year award and The Best Store Environment award for their new Salisbury store. The awards, hosted by TV presenter  Gethin  Jones and organised by Retail Jeweller magazine, took place last Thursday at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Marking their 25th anniversary edition of the UK Jewellery Awards, this is the only ceremony of its kind for

Fei Liu unveils ‘The Blue of Dreams’ tiara with 88ct sapphire

Last week, the Designer of the Year,  Fei  Liu, unveiled his latest masterpiece ‘The Blue of Dreams’ in Shenzhen City, China, to press and the Chinese jewellery industry.   ‘The Blue of Dreams’ tiara is a collaboration between  Fei  and the Chinese beauty pageant.   Fei  sought inspiration from the flying fairy murals of  Dunhuang , China. A city which symbolises the beginning of the Silk Road. The marvellous main sapphire stone has a weight of 88ct and is worth approximately £3million. The entwined ribbons of platinum are set with hues of sapphire and rose-cut diamonds, to give the tiara

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Galleries Re-Open

The V&A’s spectacular Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Galleries reopened to the public last week in preperation for the V&A’s Exhibition Road building project. The newly updated suite of four galleries display highlights from one of the most important collections of decorative art ever given to the nation, alongside recent acquisitions.   Over 500 precious objects amassed by 2oth-century collectors Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert, including European silver and gold plate, delicate gold boxes, Italian mosaics and enamel portrait miniatures, are now back on public display in newly re-curated galleries. The objects dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries were carefully

Nuala Jamison 1948-2016

Christina Jansen,  Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery kindly writes an obituary for Benchpeg on Nuala Jamison, one of the leading lights of the contemporary non precious jewellery movement in the 1970s who sadly left us in August 2016. In July 2016, Nuala Jamison held what would be her last solo exhibition at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh called  Faceted Light .  The Scottish Gallery was one of many galleries to have represented her wonderful work, in our case over three decades.  Jamison was determined to make a new body of work for her exhibition and also include highlights from her

Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Holds VIP Industry Reception

A VIP  industry focused  reception was held at The Goldsmiths’ Centre last week ,  honouring  the current Patrons, Sponsors and Contributors of the annual Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards, and to encourage new companies and individuals to become supporters for the 2018 Awards.     The VIP event included the unveiling of a new behind-the-scenes video showcasing the 2017 awards and judging, and an exclusive  interview with Paul Jones, winner of  2017 The Jacques Cartier Memorial Award, who, to the amazement and bemusement of a the spellbound guests, demonstrated how his outstanding mystery revolving clock functions. Paul Jones spoke about

Nuala Jamison 1948-2016

Christina Jansen,  Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery kindly writes an obituary for Benchpeg on Nuala Jamison, one of the leading lights of the contemporary non precious jewellery movement in the 1970s who sadly left us in August 2016. In July 2016, Nuala Jamison held what would be her last solo exhibition at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh called  Faceted Light .  The Scottish Gallery was one of many galleries to have represented her wonderful work, in our case over three decades.  Jamison was determined to make a new body of work for her exhibition and also include highlights from her

Top Ten Announced for EC One Unsigned Award

EC One have announced the 'Top Ten' for their Unsigned Award 2016 Following a huge increase on last year’s applications, the EC One team narrowed entrants down to a shortlist of ten excellent contestants, who are now in the running to be in the Final Four. Three contestants will now be nominated by a public vote on the EC One website , and EC One will select a ‘Wild Card’ who will complete the Final Four. The public vote will be open until midnight Wednesday 31 August, where anybody can vote for their favourite. The Final Four will be announced

Jewellery & Watch Industry Trends: Enamel, Pink and Diamonds

The forthcoming INHORGENTA MUNICH will once again offer exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to find new inspiration for the business year. This is ensured, among other things, by the trends of the year in the jewelry and watch industry worth discovering at the trade show. INHORGENTA MUNICH describes what is fashionable in 2017. Diamonds The diamond jewelry market grew by three percent on a global scale last year already and this trend will continue. Why? Well, due to the engagement’s revival and its celebration by giving a solitaire as an engagement present, diamonds continue to gain in importance. However, consumers

Amanda Mansell Unviels Striking New Piece

Jeweller Amanda Mansell has unveiled a new jewellery piece at Goldsmiths' Fair this week to accompany her iconic Concentric Ring. “Jewellery goes beyond the aesthetic. How a piece looks is important but it's more than that. Jewellery captures stories and moments in time. It's a lasting testament to the craftsmanship required just to bring a design to life. It's how it feels and what it means. This is what's important…” -Amanda Mansell Amanda was thrilled to be selected for a second consecutive year after her debut last year when her Concentric Ring featured on the flyer and poster for the

Free registration is now live for IJL 2017

IJL 2017 opens its doors at Olympia, London on 3 September 2017 for three days of inspiration, innovation, education and networking opportunities.  Jewellery trade visitors who register online before 30 th  June will be entered in a prize draw to be in with a chance to win a case of  Thienot  champagne.        Sam Willoughby, Event Director, commented,  “Early birds who register now for IJL 2017 can plan their show down to the last detail. Free entry is guaranteed and there is so much more, all easily accessible through My Event, the IJL event online planning and networking

Angela Gillies Sees Winning Design Hallmarked In London

Currently  studying Jewellery and Metal Design at the University of Dundee  Angela Gillies, winner of  the 2017 Ingle & Rhode Fairtrade Gold Design Award has had her winning piece hallmarked by the London Assay Office. Angela’s winning piece entitled ‘Nestled’ has been cast and was taken to the London Assay Office to be hallmarked and stamped with the Fairtrade mark last week. Made in Fairtrade 18ct white gold and set with a 0.5ct round brilliant cut Canadian diamond, Angela’s ring is designed to allow a wedding ring to tuck in underneath the feather, so that the two rings will sit

Gifted 2017

National Centre for Craft and Design's successful Christmas market will return in December and kicks off an exciting programme of seasonal activities at NCCD. Following on from the success last year, they will be throwing open their doors for a two day contemporary Christmas event. During this special advent weekend the craft market 'Gifted' will host makers from across the UK selling high quality jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glass and tableware. The food market will offer a variety of local and specialist food and there will be a family focused programme of workshops, demonstrations, musicians and exhibitions. Gifted has grown into a

INHORGENTA MUNICH 2017: Wash Up Report

This year's INHORGENTA MUNICH saw 27,500 trade visitors from over 70 countries visit the event held in Munich from 18 to 21 February - up five percent than in 2016.  The 2017  event had 987 exhibitors from 40 countries, which was about five percent more exhibitors than had participated in the previous year.  Klaus Dittrich, the Chairman and CEO of Messe München, said about the event held last month, "The positive mood could be noticed in all halls among the exhibitors and visitors. This is confirmed by the first evaluation of the exhibitor and visitor survey. The values have further

Thomson Reuters publishes GFMS Gold Survey 2017

Thomson Reuters has released its  GFMS Gold Survey 2017 , the 50th in the series of annual Surveys, looking at the shifts and developments in the global gold markets, their fundamentals and their drivers, over the year and setting the scene for the future.   Highlights of the Report State Jewellery fabrication slumped 21% last year to estimated 1,892 tonnes, the lowest level seen since 2009.      Total identifiable investment, which includes physical bar and coin investment plus ETF movements, gained 52% in 2016 to reach 1,579 tonnes, the highest since 2012.   Net official sector buying dropped appreciably, to

Ear Cuff Galore: Crafted With Love. Curated With Taste. Worn With Character

The last couple of months the Ear Cuff has been dominating fashion; a different, more eclectic way to adorn one’s ear. On catwalks, on the streets and in magazines, the Ear Cuff is here to stay. Auverture have scoured the world to find such gems. They specialise in unique, designer fine jewellery. So it is no surprise that they have collected a broad collection of beautiful ear cuffs, designed by various and tremendously talented designers. Fernando Jorge's ‘Fluid Diamonds Ear Cuffs’ wind around the edge of the ear and are set with tiny diamonds. The ear cuffs themselves are crafted in 18ct yellow gold.

The Prime Minister Hosts A Celebration Of British Fashion At 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Theresa May and Chairman of the British Fashion Council Dame Natalie Massenet welcomed representatives from across the British fashion industry to a reception at 10 Downing Street last night. Ahead of London Fashion Week, Theresa May emphasised the importance of the UK’s fashion industry, one of the country’s greatest success stories which contributes £28billion to Britain’s economy and supports nearly 900,000 jobs. London Fashion Week is a global showcase which welcomes guests from over 58 countries, promotes designer brands to an international audience of trade and consumers and generates orders of over £100million each season. The Prime Minister

Ring In The New Year With Smoulder, Style & Sass

With fine festivities, fabulous frolockings and filthy fun well under way and rocking round that glittering christmas tree it's time to turn our attention to one important date left in the diary; New Year's Eve darlings!  If there was ever a time to sparkle and shine it's would definately be the last night of 2016! What better way is there to ring in a brand new year of unknown memories then decking yourself out like a belated Christmas tree in your newly gifted boughs of crystals, silver, diamonds and all things glittery? With New Years tomfoolery comes celebratory crack, bang

Evening Soiree, Meet The Maker

Evening Soiree, Meet The Maker Do you like shopping? Did you know unique handmade contemporary crafts are currently for sale at Vittoria Street Gallery? The Meet The Maker pop up shop is open for 1 more night! So it’s your last chance to buy beautiful work from Made in the Middle exhibitors. You are welcome to join us for an evening soiree in the Vittoria Street Gallery in association with Talking Practice. You will have the opportunity to meet Made in the Middle makers, have a chat and a glass of wine, and to purchase work from the exhibition. The

Countercurrent, London Design Festival

Arthur Beale, London’s last remaining Yacht Chandler, at the heart of Covent Garden on Shaftesbury Avenue, plays host for the London Design Festival to an exhibition of work by some of Britain’s major contemporary jewellery designer makers, staff of Central Saint Martins BA Jewellery Design. Seeking inspiration from the ropes and sailing tackle retailed by Arthur Beale, these designers have brought their creative imaginations to play on the robust materials, forms and objects of traditionally crafted chandlery to produce their more delicately sculpted precious objects of embellishment and adornment. Entitled ‘Countercurrent’, the exhibition brings into collaborative confrontation two differently evolved

BAJ attends the 25th Parlement Lycéen Européen Meeting

After securing membership of the Parlement Lycéen Européen last year, the British Academy of Jewellery attended the 25th meeting in France. Bringing together over 50 representatives of 9 European Jewellery Schools from 9 different European countries to discuss jewellery education and plan future innovative Erasmus exchange projects. The 25th edition of the meeting, raised questions about the future. With economic turbulence affecting schools across Europe, the meeting aimed to bring the members together to find ways to continue working collaboratively to ensure students studying jewellery continue to develop these ever so important European links. Each year the PLE organises a travelling

Winter Jewels, Association for Contemporary Jewellery Wessex

Winter Jewels 5 Exhibition is the fifth annual selling exhibtion presented by th  Association for Contemporary Jewellery  Wessex Group. As usual the exhibtion offers a prize draw, where the lucky winner will receive a voucher for £100 to spend on jewellery from  any of the participating jewellers. There will be approximately 25 cabinets with a different jeweller's work in each one, providing a huge variety of work on display. The exhibition will run from Friday 25th November until Monday 2nd January 2017 and will be open from 10am until 4pm each day (apart from the last day when we finish at

Raid On Design Maker Studios Results in Plea to Help Track Down Over 200 Pieces of Stock

Last weekend, following a successful weekend-long Open Studios event at Cockpit Arts, Holborn, London, a jewellery workshop was targeted and broken into in the early hours of Sunday night /Monday morning and the occupants’ entire stock was stolen. Ros Millar, Victoria Coleman and Alex Hammond had over 200 pieces of jewellery - stock, loose stones and bullion - stolen, wiping out any inventory they had in the run up to the Christmas selling period. Minimal Damage Caused in Break-In The culprits were not caught on CCVT, and managed to enter the building without causing any damage to main doors or

Benevolent Society Ball 2016

Benevolent Society Ball and National Association Of Jewellers’ Membership Awards Event The event, which is taking place on Thursday 1 December at the prestigeous St John’s Hotel in Solihull attracted over 400 key industry guests last year and all looks good for an even greater turnout this year. The evening starts with a champagne reception sponsored by the National Exhibition Centre and the NAJ’s membership awards adds a great deal of excitement as the nominees wait with bated breath to learn whether they have won one of these illustrious awards. As well as helping needy people who used to worked

Fabulous Contemporary Jewellery Gifts for Valentine’s Day

The Goldsmiths' Company have curated a slection of affordable jewellery for that special Valentine’s Day gift, if a last minute dash is in order...  Nothing says “I love you” better than jewellery! If you are thinking of buying your loved one something special yet affordable for Valentine’s Day, the Goldsmiths' Comapny have it covered, as listed int eh Goldsmiths' Directory The Goldsmiths’ Company, is the UK’s principal patron of contemporary fine jewellers and silversmiths and the force majeure behind Goldsmiths’ Fair. It had curated a unique selection of reasonably priced jewellery for the romantic occasion that is Valentines. Better yet,

The UK Jewellery Awards 2017

Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2017, the UK Jewellery Awards for the retail industry are judged by industry. Over the last 25 years the awards have built up an unrivalled reputation for recognising excellence and outstanding practice across the jewellery and watch trade in the UK with categories spanning retail, design, manufacture, supply and employment. Each year the event attracts in excess of 600 guests who come together to network and celebrate the achievements of their peers. For the 2017 awards two new enterable categories, Marketing Campaign of the Year and Retail Sales Star, have been introduced along with another

McCaul Goldsmiths Launch Arris Collection

The Arris Collection by McCaul Goldsmiths is designed with each one-of-a-kind gemstone in mind where carved curves are made a soft satin texture to compliment its wearer. Elegant raised contour lines form where different surfaces meet around the new collection rings. Deep valleys tunnel underneath the stone, which are highlighted with a mirror shine finish that reflects and enhances the colour of the gemstone. As future heirlooms, these generously proportioned contemporary statement rings are made to last generations. The design direction for McCaul Goldsmiths is constantly evolving where each and every piece is excitingly unique. Two of the most popular

National Apprenticeship Week 2017

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2017) is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, the week is designed to celebrate the positive impact apprenticeships and traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy. National Apprenticeship Week 2017 will be taking place from 6 to 10 March. The 10th National Apprenticeship Week will bring together employers and apprentices from across England to celebrate the success of apprenticeships over the last decade and will seek to encourage even more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career. Search the NAW  online map  to find more information about National Apprenticeship Week events

Knuckling Down The Look: Midi Rings

Mysterious, laid-back, nonchalantly cool and nailing the cool girl status by being entirely noncommittal in following the status quo...say hello to the middle rise of the midi ring.  This dainty but fierce finger accessory sauntered her flirty flair upon the fashion scene during the boho boom early last year but instead of nestling back down into the fashion wardrobe awaiting a resurgence to emerge, this little minx has rebelliously fixed herself upon the mainstream trend agenda and is here to coax us round her middle finger once more! Just like the charcoal ribbed midi skirts you've been sashaying around in,

Primrose Hill Designer Sale - London NW3

This is the ever popular annual event at St Mary’s, where you can come along to browse a great selection of quality fashion and gift items. Grab a last min gifts for christmas or just treat yourself! We also set up a fantastic cafe where you can have lunch, cake, hot drinks and even a glass of mulled wine. The fair is open to the public from 10am all day until 6pm. All proceeds from the cafe and 15% of the stall holders profits go towards St Mary’s community projects, such as Youthwork and homeless shelter Ceramics, glass, stationary, wonderful

New York Fashion Week: The RCA Graduates of 2016

Cunard’s historic Queen Mary 2 arrived into New York early last week for the dawn of New York Fashion Week. Following a successful seven-night voyage with fashion royalty also on board such as Dame Zandra Rhodes CBE, Colin McDowell MBE, Fern Mallis and Gail Sackloff OBE, treated to a host of runway shows, glamorous dinners and exclusive unveilings were integrated in the fashion package! Amongst the brewing excitement of New York Fashion week, the stunning creations from graduates of the Royal College of Art were also showcased and admired on board of the Queen Mary 2 with the key RCA

RJC Hosts Its First Ever Open Day In Birmingham

Last week, the RJC held its very first Open Day  in  Birmingham.   The newly built Birmingham Assay Office located in the Jewellery Quarter, played host to the event where attendees gathered to hear more about the commercial relevance and necessity of RJC membership and certification in today’s jewellery industry. Attendees heard from a panel of industry experts that consisted of David Lewis, Managing Director of Maker Mends (RJC member since 2011);   Himesh  Pala, Managing Director of Pala Diamond Company Ltd (RJC member since 2011) and Gary  Wroe , Managing Director of Hockley Mint Ltd (RJC member since 2013). The panel

Sparkle With Silver Christmas Tree Decorations

The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to present a brilliant selection of Christmas tree decorations designed and curated by some of the most prominent silversmiths working in the UK today. This exquisite selection of festive celebration is currently on display at the Goldsmiths' Hallwith the opportnity to purchase a piece that captches your eye and ignites your Christmas spirit! Following on from last year's successful display at the National Museum of Scotland in conjunction with the Silversmiths' Art, this years showcase selection of Silversmiths' Christmas Tree decorations celebrates the artistry of our creative industry within one of the most exciting and

Silver Light and Shade, The Holburne Museum

Silver: Light and Shade  explores the different processes used by silversmiths to create a range of surface textures and patterns, highlighting the continuity between the techniques used for centuries and those used today. Work by contemporary makers including Hiroshi Suzuki, Malcolm Appleby, Rod Kelly and Adi Toch are shown alongside some of the finest and rarest pieces in silver to have survived from the last 500 years. This is an exhibition that brings together historic and contemporary silver masterpieces to tell a new story about the texture, form and colour of this precious metal.  Silver:  Light and Shade  explores the

Made Brighton - Corn Exchange, Brighton

MADE BRIGHTON and the Brighton Art Fair the conjoined art, craft and design fair, takes place between Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th September. Last year MADE BRIGHTON celebrated ten years of bringing the most exciting contemporary designer/makers to the Corn Exchange for this annual show. This year we will present 50 of the best makers in the country selling work ranging from cutting edge ceramics, contemporary jewellery, blown and kiln formed glass as well as wood and textiles. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet the artists and makers, to discuss their practice, their inspirations, their techniques and to buy direct

Arabel Lebrusan Shortlisted for E-Tailer of the Year Award

Award winning Arabel Lebrusan has been shortlisted for the E-Tailer category in The National Association of Jewellers Awards 2016. The winners will be announced as part of the Benevolent Society ball which will take place on 1st December. Lebrusan has been committed to designing and making beautiful ethical jewellery for the last decade. Using her Spanish roots as a starting point, she started using the ancient technique of filigree to create stunning contemporary designs. Lebrusan really thrives on the challenge of combining the old with the new, driven by her interest in a sustainable approach to life. Lebrusan started creating contemporary

Contemporary Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair Returns to Winchester

Once again the elegant Guildhall in Winchester will be the venue for a stunning mixed media jewellery and silversmithing event from 11-13 November, where visitors can purchase direct from contemporary designer makers selected from the best in the UK. Desire offers visitors a choice of around 70 individual jewellers and silversmiths who have been selected for their superb and innovative craftsmanship and have a genuine passion for the work they create.  Visitors can see and purchase from an exciting range from both emerging British talent as well as more established designer makers.   Comments from visitors to the event last

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London Craft Week 2023

London Craft Week 2020 8 - 14 May 2023 London Craft Week celebrates outstanding British and international creativity.  Building on the success of last year’s first International Pavilions, London Craft Week 2023 presents its broadest international programme yet with four Pavilions and a whole host of global events taking place across the city. Through a rich programme of exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and open studios, LCW 2023 delves deep into heritage crafts, classic designs and contemporary art from nations as diverse as Afghanistan, Hungary, Denmark and Korea.  www.londoncraftweek.com Contact London Craft Week 78 Duke Street London W1K 6JQ info@londoncraftweek.com  www.londoncraftweek.com

Fair Luxury x Ethical Metalsmiths

Fair Luxury x Ethical Metalsmiths Monday 4th November 5pm (Gmt) 12pm (Est) London / Zoom Following the success of our last Open House together, Ethical Metalsmiths (EM) and Fair Luxury have teamed up again. The Ethical Metalsmiths team plans to share some highlights of work in progress and aspirations for the future!  Highlights include awesome updates from EM's Education Committee, Action Coalition, and so much more! We're looking forward to a lively discussion. Fair Luxury and Ethical Metalsmiths share many common goals and dreams for our industry - we hope you will join the conversation. This will be an interactive meeting, so feel free to

Galerie Marzee at KunstRAI 2022

Galerie Marzee at KunstRAI 2022   Amsterdam 14 - 18 April 2022 Galerie Marzee will participate at  KunstRAI  Amsterdam from 13 to 18 April at stand 68.  For the last few months you could admire the exhibitions of  Iris Bodemer ,  Katharina Dettar  and  Eiman Rezaei  at Galerie Marzee. Their work can still be purchased online.  From Sunday 10 April 2022 the new exhibitions by: > Jonathan Boyd - Emergent Dialogues of the Topophilic Line  > Vivi Touloumidi - vom Abzeichen zum Auszeichnen (from sign to distinction)  are open. Some of the work from these exhibitions will be included in Galerie Marzee's permanent collection and remain

Watch loving boxer Floyd Mayweather adds to his sumptuous collection

Less than two months after forking out almost £14 million for a unique Jacob Arabo watch, the world's wealthiest sportsman and prolific watch lover Floyd Mayweather has made another couple of extravagant purchases to add to his diamond-encrusted custom collection. In June, the boxing champion who last year reportedly earned around £230 million from a short 36 minute fight against another well known watch lover Conor McGregor, snapped up the now famous Billionaire Timepiece, featuring 260 carats of emerald cut diamonds. Previously sponsored by Hublot, Mayweather, 41, whose nickname is 'Money' , has long been a fan of luxury bling

International Women's Day 2017

IWD 2017 #BeBoldForChange For International Women's Day 2017, we're asking you to  #BeBoldForChange . Call on the masses or call on yourself to help forge a better working world - a more gender inclusive world. Submit your  #BeBoldForChange  action via the IWD website. International Women's Day Last year, organizations and individuals around the world supported the  #PledgeForParity campaign  and committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias; call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive flexible cultures. From awareness raising to concrete action, organizations  rallied their people to pledge

The Goldsmiths' Company's 'Young Designer Competition'

The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to support Jacobs the Jewellers’ Young Designer Competition, a brilliant initiative focusing on emerging silversmiths and jewellers. Staged at the renowned Reading-based jewellery store from 6-30 June 2017, the competition will feature work from nine emerging designers from the Bishopsland Educational Trust. One new work of silver and one new piece of jewellery from each designer will be on display and the public will get to vote for its favourite pieces. The Young Designer Competition exhibition will also feature live craft demonstrations and there will be a VIP winner’s event on Friday 30 June. The event's last day will also see it take part in Reading’s

Marks & Spencer Combat Customer Allergy Concerns

This summer, Marks & Spencer (M&S) will become the first high street retailer to set a new standard in hypoallergenic jewellery – as it launches Skin Kind™.  From May every item in M&S’s fashion jewellery range will meet its new Skin Kind™ standards, so that even customers with the most sensitive skin can wear stylish accessories with confidence.  The project began last year when M&S discovered that more than one in four [28%] of customers didn’t wear fashion jewellery because they were concerned about potential allergic reactions. To help address these concerns, M&S partnered with Birmingham based, world leading precious

Gemfields Recognised With The Chopard GCC Award

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Creative Director of Swiss luxury jewellery and watch company Chopard, launched The Chopard Green Carpet Collection Award in Cannes last week. Mining organisations that have played a key role in  Chopard’s  Green Carpet Collections were present at the events. Livia and Colin Firth, together with Caroline  Scheufele , took this opportunity to honour  Chopard’s  strategic suppliers who all share the same social and environmental values, awarding them the  Chopard  GCC Award for Commitment to Sustainability and Social Justice.  The awardees were: Gemfields ,  Kagem  mine , Zambia Lucara ,  Karowe  mine , Botswana Aurora Gems Pty

20:20 Visions - Association for Contemporary Jewellery

20:20 Visions Celebrating twenty years' work from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery The 20:20 Visions exhibition boasts that it shows the best of the new jewellery and conveys progression in design and techniques over the last twenty years. The exhibition is in two parts 20:20 and Visions 20:20 Twenty of our most prominent and innovative members have been invited to show work from c1997 alongside a new piece. The twenty invited guests are: Jane Adam                             Holly Belsher Stephen Bottomley           Caroline Broadhead Norman Cherry    Jack Cunningham Susan Cross                           Joel Degen Maria Hanson       Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon Dorothy Hogg   

20:20 Visions - Association for Contemporary Jewellery

20:20 Visions Celebrating twenty years' work from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery The 20:20 Visions exhibition boasts that it shows the best of the new jewellery and conveys progression in design and techniques over the last twenty years. The exhibition is in two parts 20:20 and Visions 20:20 Twenty of our most prominent and innovative members have been invited to show work from c1997 alongside a new piece. The twenty invited guests are: Jane Adam                             Holly Belsher Stephen Bottomley           Caroline Broadhead Norman Cherry    Jack Cunningham Susan Cross                           Joel Degen Maria Hanson       Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon Dorothy Hogg   

20:20 Visions - Association for Contemporary Jewellery

20:20 Visions Celebrating twenty years' work from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery The 20:20 Visions exhibition boasts that it shows the best of the new jewellery and conveys progression in design and techniques over the last twenty years. The exhibition is in two parts 20:20 and Visions 20:20 Twenty of our most prominent and innovative members have been invited to show work from c1997 alongside a new piece. The twenty invited guests are: Jane Adam                             Holly Belsher Stephen Bottomley           Caroline Broadhead Norman Cherry    Jack Cunningham Susan Cross                           Joel Degen Maria Hanson       Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon Dorothy Hogg   

20:20 Visions - Association for Contemporary Jewellery

20:20 Visions Celebrating twenty years' work from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery The 20:20 Visions exhibition boasts that it shows the best of the new jewellery and conveys progression in design and techniques over the last twenty years. The exhibition is in two parts 20:20 and Visions 20:20 Twenty of our most prominent and innovative members have been invited to show work from c1997 alongside a new piece. The twenty invited guests are: Jane Adam                             Holly Belsher Stephen Bottomley           Caroline Broadhead Norman Cherry    Jack Cunningham Susan Cross                           Joel Degen Maria Hanson       Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon Dorothy Hogg   

20:20 Visions - Association for Contemporary Jewellery

20:20 Visions Celebrating twenty years' work from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery The 20:20 Visions exhibition boasts that it shows the best of the new jewellery and conveys progression in design and techniques over the last twenty years. The exhibition is in two parts 20:20 and Visions 20:20 Twenty of our most prominent and innovative members have been invited to show work from c1997 alongside a new piece. The twenty invited guests are: Jane Adam                             Holly Belsher Stephen Bottomley           Caroline Broadhead Norman Cherry    Jack Cunningham Susan Cross                           Joel Degen Maria Hanson       Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon Dorothy Hogg   

20:20 Visions - Association for Contemporary Jewellery

20:20 Visions Celebrating twenty years' work from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery The 20:20 Visions exhibition boasts that it shows the best of the new jewellery and conveys progression in design and techniques over the last twenty years. The exhibition is in two parts 20:20 and Visions 20:20 Twenty of our most prominent and innovative members have been invited to show work from c1997 alongside a new piece. The twenty invited guests are: Jane Adam                             Holly Belsher Stephen Bottomley           Caroline Broadhead Norman Cherry    Jack Cunningham Susan Cross                           Joel Degen Maria Hanson       Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon Dorothy Hogg