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Kelvin J Birk: From the hegemony of value to the freedom of form

Kelvin J Birk loves to explore the concept of value in jewellery, and he does so through the provocation that characterizes his creative process writes Ilaria Ruggiero. His creations are in fact the result of a series of actions to break and pulverise precious stones, which are thus deprived of their first and original form and structure in order to create something new; in some ways the same, but also different. The stones are then mixed together, in some cases with non-precious materials, thus playing with the altered perceptions that such a mixture can create. In this way Kelvin questions what

Swiss based jewellery artist visits London for exciting collaboration

The Clerkenwell based contemporary jewellery academy K² Academy of Contemporary Jewellery, founded by jewellery artists Kelvin J Birk and Katrin Spranger have told about how excited and thrilled they are at an upcoming collaboration with fellow jewellery artist Christoph Zellweger. Zellweger will be leading an exclusive 4 ½ day workshop in London for the first time at the K² Academy, coming to London especially for the event in August. The collaboration between Zellweger and the Academy is a perfect match, as the Academy focuses on a conceptual, free-thinking approach to jewellery design underpinned by rigorous technical training. Something which internationally

Introduction to Enamelling with Elizabeth J Campbell

Introduction to Enamelling with Elizabeth J Campbell Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 October Dunblane, Scotland A two-day, weekend course learning the magic of enamel jewellery making, this class is suitable for beginners as well as students looking to expand their skills. Students will learn how to prepare metal before enamelling, apply colour and textures, and then how to use the kiln to fire their pieces. We will also look at how to apply findings to an enamelled design to create final pieces that can be displayed or worn. The workshop will cover a range of decorative techniques such as sifting,

‘Connecting Values: Exploring Co-Creation Through Making’ Exhibition

‘Connecting Values: Exploring Co-Creation Through Making’ Exhibition 17 May - 4 June 2021 Swiss Cottage Gallery, London In 2019 K2 Academy was invited to participate in Camden Alive Project , a programme of arts and cultural events that celebrates the people of Camden and captures the sights, sounds and spirit of the borough. K2’s founders and directors, Katrin Spranger and Kelvin Birk , were commissioned to develop their own art projects with Camden residents and K2 students based on their stories and chosen theme of ‘value’. This cultural exchange culminated in creating an electroformed fountain and crushed-stone neckpiece which were

Experimental Setting at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery Cockpit Arts, London

Experimental Setting at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery Cockpit Arts, London Tuesday 22 nd   – Friday 25 th  October 2019 A 4 Day workshop led by  Kelvin Birk and Katrin Spranger at K2 Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery, London Experimental Setting This course will give you the possibility to explore and experiment with different setting techniques and to find new ways to use them in an unconventional way. The course will focus on different projects Trapping stones in liquid metal Using uncommon materials for jewellery making and setting Setting found objects and small valuable treasures You will be encouraged to look

Experimental Setting III

Experimental Setting III A four-day workshop with Kelvin Birk and Katrin Spranger Monday 4th – Thursday 7th September 2017 at Cockpit Arts This course will give you the possibility to explore and experiment with different setting techniques and to find new ways to use them in an unconventional way. The course will focus on different projects Trapping stones in liquid metal Using uncommon materials for jewellery making and setting Setting found objects and small valuable treasures You will be encouraged to look for a various ways of how to set stones and objects and explore the possibilities of embracing them

Radical Jewellery Makeover

Radical Jewellery Makeover Princes Square, Glasgow Saturday 26 March – Tuesday 29 March 2022 The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust is delighted to announce a new exhibition of jewellery, part of the worldwide Radical Jewellery Makeover originated by Ethical Metalsmiths.  The exhibition runs from Saturday 26 March – Tuesday 29 March 2022.  Students and staff from Scotland’s art colleges were invited to make new pieces for the exhibition – colleges involved are: The Glasgow School of Art; Glasgow Kelvin College; City of Glasgow College; Edinburgh College of Art; Fife College and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.  There will be

Guild of Enamellers’ Names Bursary Award Winner for 2019

The Guild of Enamellers is delighted to announce Valentina Boneva as the 2019 winner of their annual Bursary Award. Valentina recently completed the HND Jewellery at Glasgow Kelvin College, Glasgow. Valentina started working with enamels this year as a means to add colour to her work and to complement the use of gemstones in pieces. Valentina’s innovative selection pieces were complex and transformable pieces comprising an etched and enamelled boat “stand” that deconstructed into earrings, necklaces and a ring. Valentina is passionate about enamelling and wants to incorporate it into her future jewellery and silversmithing projects where it will complement

Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair 2024

Desire Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair 6 - 10 November 2024 RHS Garden Wisley Visit to view and purchase from a stunning collection and unrivalled choice of contemporary jewellery and stylish silverware. All exhibitors have been selected for their superb and innovative designs and craftsmanship as well as outstanding quality. Exhibitors include j ewellers working in gold, silver, platinum, palladium, enamel, ceramic, vegetable ivory, titanium, aluminium and glass and incorporating gemstones, seaglass, pearls, and beads into their work. Anyone celebrating a special occasion – maybe a birthday or anniversary - may also like to speak to the makers about commissioning bespoke

Weston Beamor Restructures Management Team

Weston Beamor, the Birmingham-based 3D printing, casting and bespoke manufacturing company, has restructured the workings of its Management Team and appointed new staff in a bid to grow further its customer base. Glen Day remains as Head of Business Development, but, rather than being office based as in the past, he will now spend four days a week travelling the country to meet with Weston Beamor’s customers and potential customers. Day, who reports directly to the company’s Managing Director Andrew J Morton, retains his overall, supervisory role within Weston Beamor. However he hands over greater responsibility for the day-to-day running

Meet The Manufacturer to feature 'Meet The Expert' Sessions

For people thinking about starting up or expanding a business, 'Make it British' will have a team of experts on hand at this year’s Meet the Manufacturer event, offering one-to-one practical advice and hands-on experience on different aspects of manufacturing and business development. The 'Meet the Expert' team will be on-site to answer questions on the hot topics of sourcing, production, branding and finance.  The Meet the Expert team includes: David Reay, previously Manufacturing and Sourcing Director at J Barbour and Sons. Daliah Simble, previously Production Director at Roland Mouret, set up her own fashion consultancy in 2015. Alison Lewy

Beau Han Xu launches with a SPLASH!

Beau Han Xu, London is a new, innovative and luxurious lifestyle collection created by the award-winning jewellery designer and artist Beau Han Xu. His works include SPLASH! - The Beau Han Xu Diamond Couture Jewellery Collection. Inspired by Nature and the Ethereal, Beau is driven by the desire to freeze frame inspirational moments in time in his creations: a raindrop’s splash and the subtleties of light playing on light. Beau Han Xu is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, where he specialised in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery (GSM&J). In 2015 Beau showcased his SPLASH! Diamond Couture Jewellery

Focus Gallery Launch Nottingham Jewellery School

Having j oined forces with local designer-makers, the midlands based Focus Gallery has launched the  Nottingham Jewellery School .  This will be the first fully equipped jewellery workshop in the city centre, a place where everyone is welcome to come and learn new techniques, brush up on existing skills and engage their creativity.    The launch event will offer demonstrations and hour-long sessions with various tutors as well as an exciting chance to win free workshops and vouchers. A Nottingham based school bucks the trend of jewellery training locations, as it is a vibrant, creative city that is home to