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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

The Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

The Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is a small spin off event of the flagship Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair taking place on Sunday 7th May at Altrincham Town Hall. This is a table top event and features just 38 selected makers.  How to Apply If you are interested in applying to LNCCF please email your name, craft discipline, business email  and website together with 4 images ( 300dpi and ideally 1000x1000 pixels as we will need to crop images to these dimensions) of your work to: ann-marie@greatnorthernevents.co.uk We accept applications from makers of all types of craft and from

The Little Black Book of Jewellery Terms

Ever felt like you’ve stumbled into a foreign land of unknown territory like Alice falling into wonderland whilst a constant whirlwind of name-drops and fancy words are thrown your way? Welcome to the Jewellery world! Welcome to the Benchpeg library of learning! Listen up and take note as there's a lot to be said for confidently slipping some technical babble into conversation to elevate your respect and cachet within the Jewellery world... Assay Hallmark: The hallmark and coding indicating the office which has assayed a piece of Jewellery. Baguette Cut: A gemstone which has been cut and set into a

How are you? A little note from us to you

Hello How  are  you? We’ve missed you. You may have been wondering where we have been. Like all of us, Benchpeg has had to acclimatise to a ‘new normal’ and this has taken some time. We’ve had to weather a few storms before but this global pandemic is something none of us have experienced in our lifetimes. For Benchpeg, this has meant a number of personal and professional issues including the hospitalisation of one of our children with a Covid-19 scare, who is thankfully fine now. Unfortunately, this meant putting Benchpeg on hold temporarily while we hunkered down and dealt

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

App-ccessories: The Rise of Wearable Tech

Humans have adorned themselves in jewels, metal mixes and delicately embellished accessories for tens of thousands of years. But for what reason? The answer quite simply put is because jewellery looks pretty. Bejewelled adornments, up until now, has had a limited repertoire of functionality. The mirage of glistening and sparkling rings we flash upon our fingers may well tell us the status of our relationship whilst that watch on your wrist tells you the time of day but aside from this, they provide very little purpose. In most circumstances, the jewellery we wear is purely to add a little charm,

What's in Trend Now: Rocking Rhinestone

If you're wondering how you're going to transition your summer jewellery staples into fall favourites, the trick is to swap out your golden coin medallions and fruity, floral brights for something a little more overstated and substantial: rhinestones. Falling in torrents from the lobes of runway models was unapologetically bold, look-at-me rhinestones in all shapes, styles and colours. We're not talking about the subtle and dainty nod to bling we've seen in previous seasons, no, designers want you dripping and glistening with shiny blinged out bracelets, earrings and necklaces hanging off every ear, wrist, body and decolletage. A little bit

Bright self-conained studio for rent in the heart of Shoreditch

Bright self-conained studio for rent in the heart of Shoreditch  near Arnold Circus. From mid-May 2021. App 300sqft with an additional 100sqft private outdoor space and parking. £1050 plus bills for entire studio  We are a little flexible so please get in touch to discuss Tomasz Donocik 07916332036 or  tomasz@tomaszdonocik.com Tina Lilienthal 07960975805 or  info@tinalilienthal.com

Symposium: Made in the Middle, Meet the Maker

Made in the Middle: Meet the Maker Symposium  Talking Practice, in association with Vittoria Street Gallery and Craftspace, is delighted to present Made in the Middle: Meet the Maker. Please join us for an afternoon symposium exploring the routes into business for new and more established craftspeople, and an evening soiree in the company of the Made in the Middle exhibitors over a glass of wine. The Symposium is comprised of two panels, the first with makers who are embarking on their careers and the second with those who are perhaps a little more seasoned by experience. They will give

News Edit: 13 November 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Beguiling black gems for a dose of gothic glamour Tatler: Jewellery Consultant Mary Sanderson reveals why these darkly alluring stones should be your go-to for party season. www.tatler.com Radford Street has a new hidden gem, The Courtyard Workshop A little bit of stone: Earlier this year, a new business sprung up in Stone; we caught up with the owner Nikki Hough to hear more about The Courtyard Workshop and what it offers. alittlebitofstone.com Collectors charmed by bejewelled bags FT: Fashion houses are betting on combining two of the

Gemfields brings to auction the Kafubu Cluster, a colossal 37,555-gram cluster of emeralds

Discovered at the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia in March 2020, the Kafubu Cluster is a colossal cluster of emeralds. Close inspection of the 37,555-gram (187,775 carat) cluster reveals that it contains very little matrix or other minerals, meaning the piece is almost entirely made up of emeralds, which, given its sheer size and formation, makes this a very rare find indeed. The Kafubu Cluster, our gentle giant, is a testament to the high-quality gemstones that can be produced when Mother Nature allows time for the various crystals to form deep within the Earth’s crust. Gemfields’ geologists describe the formation

News Edit: 17 October 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   New-season jewels – with all the trimmings FT: Adorn yourself in the patterns and palette of the Bauhaus Weavers. www.ft.com Explain the Crown Jewels’ colonial history to visitors, says Marina Wheeler The Telegraph: The former wife of the Prime Minister suggested exhibition notes on the diamond’s Punjab origins would be ‘a lot more interesting’. www.telegraph.co.uk Perthshire jeweller Laura’s journey from insecure to entrepreneur The Courier: When Laura Grace Caldwell got jewellery classes from her mum, little did she know it would eventually change her life. www.thecourier.co.uk The Essex

Call for Applications: GNCCFonline Christmas Edition

Call for Applications:  GNCCFonline Christmas Edition Apply NOW for GNCCFonline at Christmas.  Deadline midnight 4 th  October 2020. Great Northern Events, a not for profit organisation, organises the portfolio of Great (& Little) Contemporary Craft Fairs in the North of England. All exhibitors for our prestigious shows are selected for their excellence in their craft by an expert panel, to sell their work to the public and trade. Now in in our 13 th  year, our fairs are renowned as  the  place to buy and commission unique and exceptional handmade work. Whilst we are unable to hold live events, our fairs

Insta hashtags prompt sales in lockdown

The artist Matthew Burrows set up an artist-led movement and network on 16th March 2020 to support artists struggling financially during Covid-19 using the social media platform Instagram – with a simple pledge. The pledge #artistsupportpledge created a much needed route to market in lockdown for artists and makers. He released a statement saying that within a month “…from making the first sales pledge I am a little awe struck yet completely delighted by the momentum and viral take up of this campaign. It is not just an important network and survival mechanism for artists: It has become a global Hear

'Tis the season for gift giving

Scratching your head on what to get your mother, sister, friend or lover this Christmas? A little package dressed up with tassels, bows and frills will cause that sought-after thrill for sure - and that's before they see something extra special and sparkly nestled inside! The old adage 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' may still ring true for many, but here at BenchPeg, we'd argue that bold and colourful gemstones, weighty chains and eccentric designs are just as desirable for that jewellery lover in your life. We all know that there is a keep-forever piece out there for just about

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

Dainty Does It

The world of fashion, accesssories, jewellery and trends is one that constantly evolves, reintroduces and reinevents. So it's no surprise that some of you may be questioning whether the 90's trend of chokers might be somewhat - dare we say it -  pass é ?  Well that classic 90's spirit is still standing strong with a new season vibe and twist, guarenteed to add a little boost to your d écolletage. Forget the classic staples of thick velvet ribbons and tattoo style links and instead welcome in some daintier, delicate and ready-to-layer sterling silver pieces. The new wave of on-trend pieces

News Edit: 10 February 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Ring bought at boot sale for £10 and kept in a box for 33 years is DIAMOND worth £740,000 The Sun: A cash-strapped mum paid £10 for a boot sale “glass” ring — but it was a £740,000 diamond. www.thesun.co.uk Chaumet's high-jewellery ode to Africa, with a little help from artist Evans Mbugua and his menagerie of bejewelled beasts The Telegraph: The elephant in the room when Chaumet presented its Trésors d’Afrique high-jewellery collection was not, in fact, in the room. www.telegraph.co.uk Piaget demonstrates its prowess with materials in high

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

Yellow Bright Lights

After what can only be described as one down-right glorious May bank holiday weekend, It's safe to say that Britain has been swept away by a wave of happiness. Summertime happiness feels just that little bit more special and sentimental when basking in the warmth of the sun. It seems only fitting that with this sudden burst of blazing heat and pimms by the bucketload that we tailor our jewellery game to the occasion. When you think of summer, happiness and positivity, what colour instantly comes to mind...? Why Juicy lemon yellows and citrus bursts of canary brights of course!

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,

Seeing Elegance in the Everyday - Kinley Jewellery's Award Winning Grid Collection

Kinley Jewellery is the brain-child of jeweller Laura Williams. Meeting her at New Desiners, she spoke with us about the unique inspiration for her award-winning 'Grid' collection.  The collection's motif is wire pushed through a grid, cut to different lengths to create a ripple effect on the surface. At first glace, one could easily mistake the makers' inspiration for a pin-art board, but upon speaking with Laura, we were surpised to learn the collection's inspiration was a little closer to home- stickle bricks! Laura expertly negotiates the fine line between a jeuvenile stimuli and Kinley's mature style, which are seemingly

Suri Jewelry: Memories from Renaissance

The women painted by the great Venetian Masters wear jewelry and precious stones, fabrics from the East, embraced by smoky atmospheres of incense and fragrances writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Since childhood Giulia Vecchiato admired the jewels of the eccentric ladies who live in Venice, as they were amulets to access the past and ancient times. She started very little to build her own jewelry by assembling scrap metal found in her house, seals, scraps of fabrics mounted on curtains’ pendant. Growing up and studing traditional techniques of goldsmith, she started her own journey into the jewelry field, by developing a very

The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide

When it comes to engagement rings, the right style, colour, size, band, decoration and price is as unique as the wearer themselves! So when it comes to picking the right ring for your wife or husband to be, it's no wonder that many end up feeling overwhelmed as after all! If you're going to wear a ring for the rest of your life, you've got to make sure it's something pretty that hits the spot! Whilst one person may like a single diamond solitaire, another may want something a little unique with a Padparadscha sapphire pop! “Love is just a

Precious Pearl for Those Born in June

What better way is there to celebrate the fact that we're exactly half way through the year than with a little organic charm for all those June babies out there?! Those born in June are lucky enough to have not just one but three birthstones associated with their birthday; pearls, alexandrite's and moonstones. Unlike most other gemstones that are found within the Earth, Pearls are unique in that they have an organic origin. Pearls are often either created inside the shells of living creatures such as clams and oysters or occur naturally in the mollusks of freshwater species in rivers

Signet rings all the rage again

The recent hike in signet ring sales, among both men and women, represents a tiny sliver of heraldry history, with trends and customs in 'pinky' rings and regalia dating back almost 3,500 years.  Today, it is no longer necessary have a family coat of arms and a small fortune to wear a signet ring. Most high street jewellers can engrave initials on a ring for as little as £100 but the desire to embellish one's appearance with an item that indicates heritage and pedigree or power remains as strong as it was in around 1300 BC when the Greeks and

Crafts for Christmas 2017

Crafts for Christmas 2017 Come along to our annual Crafts for Christmas Fayre to browse a wonderful collection of OVER 50 STALLS including jewellery, wood, glass, ceramics, textiles, craft and so much more! Enjoy FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT and an outdoor BIRDS OF PREY DISPLAY in the beautiful castle gardens. There is something for the little ones too including CHILDREN'S CRAFT WORKSHOP and FACEPAINTING by Fabulous Faces! Relax over coffee and cake whilst taking in the stunning sea views from our café before continuing on to the food hall in our medieval Tythe Barn where you will find FOOD STALLS including bread,

Trend Tease: Keeping It Cool with Fan-studded Finery

Step outside the box of everyday monotamy for a night of shimmying and swaying in old-deco glitz and allure with something a little etherial, exotic and fanning from afar. The hand fan is a classic artefact that originates far back into prehistoric times, first being a device of practicality in keeping its' wearer cool and keeping fires bright and live with oxygen. As time progressed these very same fans transformed into decorative and ornamental pieces that many carried as an artistic symbolism of class. Embellished representations of these hand fans originate back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and later

Sheffield Assay Office Calendar 2018

Call for Applications: Sheffield Assay Office Calendar 2018 The Sheffield Assay Office would like to invite applications to contribute to the Sheffield Assay Office Calendar 2018.  Eligibility To submit possible contributions, please supply one or two images of recent work that have passed through the Sheffield Assay Office, ideally in the last year, Image requirements An image minimum of 300dpi, jpeg format . Additional information We like to include a little interpretation to sit alongside the image. Please submit the following information: Title of the object, A brief description,  Material (Sterling Silver, Argentium, Britannia, Fine Silver, Gold, Platinum, Palladium) and other base

Amethyst In The Violet Spotlight

For those birthday babies of February, purple Amethyst marks the precious birthstone of highly esteemed legendary powers and symbolic mythology. February delivers an unpredictable month of gloomy rain showers, shivering temperatures amongst the short, dark days of monotony for many. The semi-precious violet birthstone of Amethyst therefore provides a soothing antidote of strength to fight the February fatigue and inject a little warmth through its calming properties of of peace, stability and courage. As one of the most widely used naturally hard gems, Amethyst is generally sourced in the form of six-sided crystals and contains the second most abundant minerals

Indulge In Some Detail Therapy

In a fashion frenzied world where velour juicy tracksuits are becoming the new LBD and rubber crocs are suddenly the seasonal It shoe, the easiest way to stand out in the crowd is simply through your dramatic adornments! With high-street fashion positively blooming with Springtime must-haves and our bank accounts starting to recharge back to health after the festive blowouts, we risk looking like trend-heavy clones of each other. Here at Benchpeg we fervently believe that to inject a sense of individual flair and pizzaz it comes down to one little game changer: It's all in the detail. An easy,

Style Buzz: Bejewelled Bugs

Something has been buzzing around at the back of the fashion world for some while now, creeping slowly towards the limelight ready to make a style strike. Arrange a line of spiders, beetles, ladybirds and other multiple-legged bugs and just about anyone would squirm with discomfort and unease. Yet somehow, arrange the same little critters moulded and shaped in brass, silver, jewels and crystals and they suddenly become far more alluring and compelling. Gold glittered ladybirds and dragonflies may have adorned your headbands and pencil cases as a young girl but fast forward a few years and they're flying back

The Handmade Fair 2017

The Handmade Fair is brought to you by Kirstie Allsopp and is all about appreciating the beauty of handmade, and learning the skills to become a maker yourself. Whether your day at the Fair teaches you how to make something yourself, upcycle a piece you already own, or if you buy it from an expert, it’s here to help everyone to make their life a little more beautiful. The Shopping Villages are full to the brim with handmade products of the highest quality, brought to you by our hand-picked and incredibly talented makers, along with an enviable range of tools

Winners Announced: Amberif Design Awards 2017

This year's winners of the Amberif Design Award have been announced. The competition's theme for the year was 'Periphery', a brief chosen to send entrants to take a closer look at the zone between set and free. An overwhelming number of 124 international artists from 25 countries travelled to this undefined area and explored its options and limits. By sending in a design or photo, they presented to the competition's jury their inspiration, road map or point of view. To dig a little deeper into the thematic theemes of the brief questions arose from entrant's submissions: What can happen when

The Handmade Fair 2017

The Handmade Fair is brought to you by Kirstie Allsopp and is all about appreciating the beauty of handmade, and learning the skills to become a maker yourself. Whether your day at the Fair teaches you how to make something yourself, upcycle a piece you already own, or if you buy it from an expert, it’s here to help everyone to make their life a little more beautiful. The Shopping Villages are full to the brim with handmade products of the highest quality, brought to you by our hand-picked and incredibly talented makers, along with an enviable range of tools

Spell Out Your Love In all Things Fine

February 14th has sauntered her way back onto the scene in her aromatic scent of expectation and lust for all things passionate, sensual and romantic. The gift of love for that special little someone in your life is really rather simple; everyone wants to be feel special, understood and cherished. In this day and age we all like to be creative, innovative and impressive in how we suprise our admirer on the annointed day of love. Yet let's face it sometimes stripping it back to the simple basics can often trump the fancy niceties and pack more of a punch

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,

Hoops Of Summer Fun: Trend Alert '16

Guess whose back, back again? Miss Hoop is back, c-e-lebrate! Statement earrings were the cool and effortless 'it' girls of the fashion accessory hierarchy throughout 2015 and it seems that this little fashionista is looping back round this Summer 2016 as a jewellery box mainstay: Hoop earrings. We've fiddled and fumbled around with stud encrusted ear cuffs and crawlers and quite frankly they're a ruddy pain in the ear to keep in place and if you manage to keep it attached to your lobe for more than two hours then you my friend are a triumph! The fashion flurry magpies

UFOs take off at Tory Party Conference

Members of the Conservative Party are it seems great fans of UFOs – however not those that flash in the night sky and come complete with little green men! The UFOs which went down a storm in Birmingham earlier this month were in fact ‘Unique Finger Ornaments’ created by Stephanie Holt, winner of the 2016 Weston Beamor prize at the City’s Jewellery School. Holt, who is now Artist in Residence at the Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery, was invited, alongside a group of other local and diverse craftsmen and women, to exhibit at the Conference which took place at

‘Tis The Season To Buy Diamonds Jeremy France Jewellers Host VIP Festive Fundraiser

Special celebrity guest, James Murray, was in attendance representing the Murray Parish Trust, a local charity that Jeremy France Jewellers have been proudly supporting this year.  The Grade 2* listed building, situated at the very heart of historic Winchester’s bustling High Street, was decked to impress. Little of the shop remained untouched by the festive spirit as the decadent decorations also extended up through the gallery, with huge suspended Christmas wreaths visible from each level of the stunning three-storey showroom. With a traditional nutcracker theme running throughout and every detail adorned in beautiful bespoke decorations, the shop had been sprinkled

Job Market Change: Apprenticeships are the new Educational Future

According to a new survey it was found that the UK is once again emerging as a hotbed for apprenticeships. Almost half (47%) of the respondents said they would accept an apprenticeship in their chosen field, given the opportunity.  In a job market where you can find opportunities on your Twitter feed and be formally interviewed via Skype, it’s little surprise that attitudes are changing as to how you gain employment. Working alongside universities, modern apprenticeships are making a mockery of the idea that academic progression and hands-on experience are mutually exclusive. Young people can learn on-the-job, whilst studying in

Heat, Bash, Buff: Learning To Make A Silver Ring

"Jewellery Has The Power To Be This One Little Thing That Can Make You Feel Unique." - Jennie Kwon Having recently embarked upon my eye-opening journey into the world of Jewellery, my spirit guide, editor and working partner to all things sparkly and juicy in the jewellery world thought it was about time I stopped talking the talk of all things silver and pretty and set my sights upon navigating the benchpeg instead. The idea of flouncing around flaunting my very own silver number sounded absolutely fabulous whilst the idea of me having to make friends with a hammer and

About Benchpeg

A little bit about our history... 16 years ago, the UK jewellery industry was lacking accessible information. Organisations in the trade were keeping themselves to themselves, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments.    In 2006 we founded Benchpeg, and launched the first digital newsletter for the jewellery industry and allied trades aimed at promoting information from across the trade and bridging the gap of information out there and accessibility to it. In 2022 we published our 700th issue of the Benchpeg newsletter. Today we support the jeweller by assisting with recruitment needs, sharing the

News Edit: 29 August 2020

Here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   Katherine Ryan revealed as host of BBC Two's All That Glitters I Talk Telly: The six-part series sets out to find the UK’s next up-and-coming jewellery star. italktelly.com Caroline Scheufele and the passion for Gemology CEO World: Caroline Scheufele’s passion for gemstones began long before she began designing jewellery for Chopard. As a little girl, whilst her peers played with dolls, Caroline Scheufele played with diamonds. ceoworld.biz Scarborough auction this week for family collection of jeweller-watchmaking dynasty begun by Samuel Sharpe The Scarborough News: The private family collection

News Edit: 3 November 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   How Making Jewelry Can Cause Mesothelioma Asbestos was used in numerous commercial trades during the 20th century. The end result is the cancerous mineral is just about everywhere. mesotheliomaguide.com Business briefing: £11bn for Breakfast at Tiffany’s jeweller SHE famously wore a little black dress by Givenchy and yellow diamonds from Tiffany’s for a Hollywood film’s publicity shots. metro.news Luxury goods giant behind Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior makes £11.3bn move to buy iconic American jeweller Tiffany & Co LVMH, the French group behind the likes of Louis Vuitton and Christian

Museums

Sometimes a little bit of inspiration can go a long way. Here is a list of national museums which have jewellery or related articles, objects or artefacts in their collections... Abbott Hall Art Gallery Kendal Cumbria LA9 5AL www.abbothall.org.uk Aberdeen Art Gallery Schoolhill Aberdeen AB10 1FQ www.aagm.co.uk Art and Archaeology in Lincolnshire Danes Terrace Lincoln LN2 1LP www.thecollectionmuseum.com Ashmolean Museum Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2PH www.ashmolean.org Bantock House and Park Finchfield Road Wolverhampton WV3 9LQ www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk Bilston Craft Gallery Mount Pleasant Bilston WV14 7LU www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3DH www.birminghammuseums.org.uk Black Country Living Museum