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Designer/Maker Portfolio Reviews

Designer/Maker Portfolio Reviews at The National Centre for Craft & Design - Sleaford If you are a designer/maker seeking critical feedback on your work or if you are a recent graduate seeking guidance about your development as a creative practitioner, then this for you! Book a free 45 minute one-to-one session with one of Design Factory’s resident craft and design experts and receive advice on product development and exhibiting or selling work. These sessions are suitable for everyone at any stage of business and creative practice and offer vital advice and critical feedback to guide ongoing development and growth. Dates

Thomson Reuters GFMS Interim Silver Market Review

At the Annual Silver Industry Dinner hosted by the Silver Institute, Johann Wiebe, Senior Analyst in the GFMS team at Thomson Reuters presented the GFMS / Silver Institute Interim Silver Market Review, which includes provisional supply and demand forecasts for 2016. The Silver Institute Interim Silver Market review showcases that the physical deficit continues to persist despite softer fundamentals. The following highlights are key news updates from the silver market report: The silver market is expected to be in an annual physical deficit of 52.2 Moz in 2016, marking the fourth consecutive year in which the market has realized an annual

'Digital Meets Handmade' New York Symposium Review

PhD researcher Karen-Ann Dicken writes a review for Benchpeg of the recent symposium held at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York - Digital meets Handmade. In May this year I was fortunate enough to attend the ‘Digital meets Handmade’ - Jewellery of the 21 st Century symposium at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. Professor Wendy Yothers of FIT organised the event in conjunction with Alba Cappellieri from Politecnico di Milano. This three day symposium was a brilliant collection of researches, speakers and industry specialists. All with the linked theme of what the world of jewellery looks like now we

Domino to present diverse, design-led product portfolio at IJL

Domino Jewellery are set to delight UK and international buyers with their diverse, design-led product portfolio at International Jewellery London this year. The Birmingham based manufacturer has received excellent feedback on collections launched so far in 2019; the team are confident that their focus on high quality design with on trend pieces driven by market research and customer feedback, will drive continued demand for Domino collections. At IJL this year, the team will exhibit product from all of its 2019 collections including Fusion – interlocking, stackable diamond rings, Empire – clustered diamond engagement and lifestyle rings, and the recently refreshed

Blowing Truths: A special review on Joya Barcelona 2019

I recently went to hospital to take a test for lactose intolerance. A four-hour test, which consisted of blowing into plastic bags every 30 minutes, after drinking a liquid substance that was as sweet as it was nauseating writes Ilaria Ruggiero. The bags were unfortunately not exciting and fun like those of Christine Jalio who, with intelligence and irony, invites us to expel the daily frustrations of which we are victims, blowing into them, to lighten and in some way to exhale an inner saturation that is wearing us out. Provocative, pop, effective. Compared to the other arts, the peculiarity of About

Silver Market Review 2019: Silver prices plummets to lowest level in more than ten years in early 2020 due to COVID-19 impact

GFMS team at Refinitiv publishes annual Silver Market Review 2019, which includes provisional supply and demand estimates for 2020. Investment demand records healthy growth in 2019, while industrial demand declines as trade wars impact orders across the supply chain. After rising to a five-month high by late February, the silver price experienced a calamitous fall in March, as precious metals got caught up in a broader market sell-off amidst the deteriorating virus outbreak according to the annual Refinitiv GFMS annual Silver Market Review 2019. As a result, silver lost 30% of its dollar value in the first three weeks of

Appointment: Monika Kamycka Appointed as Chair Of British Society of Enamellers

Jewellery designer and Mona Pink founder, Monika Kamycka, has been appointed as Chair of The British Society of Enamellers’ at the trade organisation’s Annual General Meeting, by unanimous vote following her successful year as Vice-Chair. Under Monika’s leadership the trade organisation has realised a number of notable achievements including an innovative and successful online exhibition, a full review of membership benefits, evaluation of website and social media platforms with renewed focus on member and follower engagement, improvements in terms and conditions – both online and offline, digitisation of the organisation’s finances, membership database review (with a view to digitise fully

University of the Arts London: Central Saint Martins

Central Saint Martins , often abbreviated to CSM, is a public tertiary art school in London, England. It is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. It offers full-time courses at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and a variety of short and summer courses Undergraduate: Jewellery Design – BA (Hons) www.arts.ac.uk Postgraduate: MA Design (Jewellery) www.arts.ac.uk Foundation: 3D Design Portfolio - The 3D Design Portfolio course includes the areas of product design, ceramics and jewellery. www.arts.ac.uk

Fei Liu Launches New Website

Fei Liu Fine Jewellery is continuing to enhance its brand presence with the launching of their new website to meet international demand. Fei Liu Fine Jewellery is continuing to enhance its brand presence with the launching of their new website. The new Fei Liu Fine Jewellery website focuses on easy navigation and an engaging customer journey. The essence of the brand is reflected by the sophisticated imagery, which illustrates their elegant portfolio of fine jewellery. Under the new domain www.feiliufinejewellery.com , the new website is sleek with clean aesthetics, which showcases the brand’s portfolio of luxury and accessible jewellery. Its

Jewellery runs Adagio

Adagio is an artistic project about time writes Ilaria Ruggiero in her exhibition review. As photography teaches us, an image is the pure settling for rhythm, the sense of time descending into vision. This is a delicate project that deals with light and movement through the diverse artistic forms of photography and jewellery. A minimalist and conceptual work that is reflected in the dual aesthetic soul of the image and the jewel: both evanescent yet present, stylized and essential. Letizia Maggio's technical and artistic research evolves into a sophisticated and complex narration, which mixes materials such as cotton, silver and

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

Talent Spot: Six Exciting New Jewellery Designers to Watch from New Designers 2019

The array of talent on display at New Designers 2019 was phenomenal- it would appear the future of the jewellery industry is as sparkling as the displays that were on show. Following on from our recent exhibition review and award announcement , Benchpeg shines a spotlight on six exciting designers to watch. Tianyu Zhao Tianyu’s work stood out at New Designer’s as a delightfully juvenile departure from the seriousness of the more traditional work on display. Working from a deliciously pastel colour-palette, she evokes the naivity of childhood to instil the wearer of the “adult amulet” with the courage to

LVMH confirms it has submitted Tiffany transaction for approval by the European Commission

In a flurry of press releases this week LVHM have stood firm with their position in the failed acquisition of Tiffany which have led to legal action by the American jeweller which have filed a suit in the American state of Deleware. “LVMH confirmed on the 18 September that immediately after receiving approval to proceed by the European Commission, it has submitted the proposed acquisition of Tiffany for antitrust review, as it has always stated it would do. Eight of the ten requisite antitrust clearances have already been obtained. LVMH expects to receive approval from the European Commission and Taiwan

Kassandra Lauren Gordon Fund awards £21k in grants

The Kassandra Lauren Gordon Fund (KLG Fund) has awarded a total of £21,000 in grants to Black people working in the jewellery industry who need support for their businesses and have faced financial hardship because of the current crisis, following a review by a panel of five independent industry judges, who said they were “overwhelmed by the talent, creativity and enthusiasm of the applicants”. In June, Black jeweller and activist Kassandra Lauren Gordon successfully raised £19,483 on a Go Fund Me page, exceeding the original £14,000 target. 328 people, businesses and trade organisations made donations ranging from £5 to £5,000.

The Compass: Emerging Maker Programme

Call for Applications: The Compass: Emerging Maker Programme Craft Scotland is thrilled to announce the launch of Compass, a brand-new learning and development programme created specifically for Scotland-based makers. Compass is generously supported by the William Grant Foundation and Creative Scotland. Since our inception, Craft Scotland has run a variety of maker training initiatives, including; mentor and mentee training, lectures, business and marketing workshops and preparation days for makers involved in our exhibitions programme. Additionally, between 2012 – 2017, Craft Scotland supported 23 makers to undertake the Crafts Council’s Hothouse and Injection development programme. Following a review during 2017/18, Craft Scotland

Start selling on Etsy this September and you could win £1000

As we wave goodbye to summer, let’s welcome the season of fresh starts and shiny new stationery. Why not channel that September energy into selling what you make on Etsy? Calling all creative entrepreneurs! Open your Etsy shop using the code BACKTOSCHOOL16 by 3 October for the chance to win £1000 (to spend on absolutely anything you like) AND a personalised review from an Etsy expert to help optimise your new shop. Grab that new notebook and jot down these practical tips to get you started . Good luck! We can’t wait to see what you make. Terms and conditions

3D Visualisation Artist - Freelance, The Living City / They Eat Culture

3D Visualisation Artist - Freelance, The Living City / They Eat Culture We are looking for a freelance visualisation artist to work with us on some programme and project development images. You'll need prior experience of translating concepts to visual images and be able to work with 3d design. This is a freelance post working remotely. Please send brief introduction to your work, with your CV / visual portfolio to ruth@theyeatculture.org

The Silver Society Prize For Silversmithing 2020

The Silver Society Prize For Silversmithing 2020 to be awarded to a young silversmith aged under 35 Prize: £500 The Silver Society is proud to announce, for the fifth consecutive year, the launch of its annual Prize to be awarded to a Young Silversmith. Unlike in previous years, this year’s competition will be conducted virtually and submissions should be made by email to editor@thesilversociety.org and may comprise a video or portfolio of either a specially made, or a pre-existing piece, in silver. The submission should include images of the piece, a description of its manufacture and the hallmarks and may

The Silver Society Prize 2021

The Silver Society Prize 2021 The Silver Society is pleased to announce the launch of its annual Prize for 2021, awarded to a silversmith who is either aged under 35 or in the first five years of their career as a practising silversmith. The competition will be conducted virtually and submissions should be made by email to editor@thesilversociety.org by 30 September 2021. The submission should be a piece of silver, either made especially for the competition or pre-existing. The portfolio should include images of the piece, a description of its manufacture and its hallmarks. It may also include any other

The Bristol Artisan

Call for Applications: The Bristol Artisan The Bristol Artisan is the newest addition to a portfolio of successful events organised by Designers/Makers in collaboration with cultural venues. After a great launch in March this year, we are holding a second event for 50 Designer Makers at Arnolfini on Bristol Harbourside - just in time for Christmas. This two day weekend selling event is highly consumer oriented and offers visitors the opportunity to meet the designers and view, buy or commission products for the festive season. We hope that The Bristol Artisan will continue to provide an outlet for designer makers

Narratives In Making, National Craft Gallery - Kilkenny

Narratives In Making An exhibition of new and innovative works from the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s PORTFOLIO: Critical Selection 2017-18. The 28 designer makers represented were selected by an international panel, for demonstrating excellence in craftsmanship, design quality and technical skill. Narratives in Making, curated by Gregory Parsons, considers the provenance of the objects, who made it, where it was made, how it was made and what it is made of. All this is inextricably linked. It informs our relationship with the object. There are fascinating stories here, from the love of material, rituals of making, the design

Call for Applications: The Bristol Artisan 2017

The Bristol Artisan is the newest addition to a portfolio of successful events organised by Designers/Makers in collaboration with cultural venues. We hope that The Bristol Artisan will provide an outlet for designer makers to sell and promote their work within the South West and beyond. This two day weekend selling event is highly consumer oriented and offers visitors the opportunity to meet the designers and view, buy or commission products. The event targets and appeals to an informed and highly motivated audience of consumers, collectors and aficionados as well as a select audience of professionals; including those who represent

Call for Applications: The Design Museum Market

The Design Museum Market is the newest addition to a portfolio of successful events organised by Designers/Makers in collaboration with cultural venues in London. Launching for the first time this year, The Design Museum Market is set to become the leading showcase and selling event for contemporary design in London. The three day selling event is highly consumer oriented and offers visitors the opportunity to meet the designers and view, buy or commission products. The event targets and appeals to an informed and highly motivated audience of UK and international consumers, collectors and aficionados as well as a select audience

Captivating Brilliance by Peter Schmid

Peter Schmid, world-renowned jewelry maker, is launching his all-new exhibition at Patina Gallery, Captivating Brilliance , inspired by the Santa Fe Opera’s 2018 production of Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly , writes Ilaria Ruggiero in this exhibition review. The exhibition will open on August 10th at Patina Gallery at 131 West Palace Avenue, Santa Fe. Captivating Brilliance will showcase pieces greatly influenced from the movements of Orientalism and Exoticism that were popular at the time of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly debut. An amazing crossover of inspirations and ideas, on one hand coming from the most current interpretations of Puccini's opera, on the other hand from ancient rituals,

Spring Digital Craft Festival

Call for Applications: Spring Digital Craft Festival Craft Festival is delighted to announce applications are now open for our Spring Digital Craft Festival. This online event will represent the finest makers working in ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, metal, wood, plastics, mixed media, leather, recycled materials, printmaking and paper to the highest standard. Open to makers in the UK and Internationally. The Digital Craft Festival is part of a portfolio of events presented by the team behind Craft Festivals in Bovey Tracey, Cheltenham and Bath. Our festivals have become some of the largest, friendliest and most prestigious craft events in the

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

Fei Liu Secures Six Figure Orders at JCK Las Vegas

On their second showing, British brand Fei Liu Fine Jewellery reports a hugely successful JCK Las Vegas show. Fei Liu Fine Jewellery returned to Las Vegas, after their debut in 2016. This year, Fei Liu Fine Jewellery showcased their fine jewellery portfolio of jewellery to the US market, which proved lucrative. Fei Liu Fine Jewellery recorded sales totalling six figures. One of the sales included Fei Liu’s masterpiece, the Gothic Rubellite Set, which was sold to a private collector. Fei Liu says, “The market is soft but there is a shift. People are looking to invest in jewellery with value

Royal Mint Opportunity

Call for Applications: Royal Mint Folio Design Team Who we are We are the sole manufacturer of UK coinage and export to an average of 60 other countries. We are wholly owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. The challenge To translate significant points in history and culture onto the smallest of canvases. The opportunity To be part of a select portfolio of freelance artists providing designs for coins and medals. How does it work? Our external artists are offered opportunities to enter paid competitions based on their suitability to the theme. We provide full support throughout the design process. How to

School of Jewellery Artist in Residences 2020-2021

Call for Applications: School of Jewellery Artist in Residences 2020-2021 The School of Jewellery is welcoming portfolio applications for Artists in Residence. This is an opportunity for graduates to develop new work and technical skills in a creative environment, working collaboratively within the Artist in Residence team, engage with the vibrant and rich community in the School,in exchange for helping support students within studios and workshops. Subject to an evolving COVID-19 UK situation and our future position in 2021, the residency scheme aims to continue to offer agreed access to facilities from January 2021 to August 2021. To apply please

Pathways to Making II

Pathways to Making II Symposium Rugby College, Rugby 10am – 7pm, Friday 9 March 2018 Professional development for established, emerging makers and craft and design students. Professional craft skills include valuable material knowledge and problem solving. This symposium will explore the value of maker’s skills to potential partners or collaborators both within and outside the craft sector. Speakers will present case studies of self-generated wide-ranging opportunities; inspiring delegates to be more innovative and resourceful in their portfolio careers. This symposium supports the Made in the Middle touring exhibition and further explores themes highlighted in the exhibition. The day will close with

Designer Sophie Breitmeyer launches new website

Jewellery designer and maker Sophie Breitmeyer has launched her new website, with the tag line ‘the modern-day family jeweller’. With her ancestry steeped in jewellery heritage, the re-positioning of her brand hails back to days gone by when families had one go-to trusted family jeweller. The website is clean, bright and owns a photomontage appeal reflecting her own modernity in jewellery design and style, and acts as both an ecommerce site as well as offering a comprehensive portfolio of work to commission and work up bespoke designs from. Breitmeyer’s great-grandfather was one of the founding members of De Beers, and

Appointment: Julie Driscoll announced Managing Director, Pure London

Pure London, the fashion buying trade show, has announced the appointment of Julie Driscoll as Managing Director with immediate effect. Previously the show’s Portfolio Director, Julie’s promotion to Managing Director will drive a host of exciting changes and new launches for the February show, taking place from the 11th – 13th February 2018. Julie Driscoll said of the appointment: “It is a very exciting time in the evolution of Pure London and I’m looking forward to working with our fantastic team, our partners, suppliers and exhibitors to continue to improve on what we offer, making Pure London truly unmissable. Our AW18/19 manifesto sets

Appointments: Julie Driscoll announced Managing Director, Pure London

The Bristol Artisan at Royal West of England Academy

Call for Applications: The Bristol Artisan at the Royal West of England Academy The Bristol Artisan is the newest addition to a portfolio of successful events organised by Designers/Makers in collaboration with cultural venues. After a great launch in March this year, we are holding a second event for 40 Designer Makers within the beautiful galleries of RWA in the centre of Bristol - just in time for Christmas. The Bristol Artisan is open to applicants working to the highest level in the following aspects of contemporary design: Jewellery, ceramics, glass, product design, textiles, graphic design/illustration, digital products, children’s products. Due

Grant MacDonald: Timed To Perfection

The elegance of a Grant Macdonald timepiece imparts London-made luxury to the mantelpiece, tabletop or desk. The silversmithing house has launched a range of new designs in a portfolio of precious metals and design aethetics. Grant MacDonalds has launched a range of mantlepieces pieces designed as a generous symbol of refinement when given as a gift. The range includes Imperial Timepiece , standing half a metre high and honouring the 18th Century French Ormolu clock tradition, and King's Mantel in sterling silver and 24 carat gold , as well as bespoke luxury clocks which can fit a range of customer requirements.

The Bristol Artisan

The Bristol Artisan is the newest addition to a portfolio of successful events organised by Designers/Makers in collaboration with cultural venues. This two day weekend selling event is highly consumer oriented and offers visitors the opportunity to meet the designers and view, buy or commission products from over 40 Designer Makers. The event targets and appeals to an informed and highly motivated audience of consumers, collectors and aficionados as well as a select audience of professionals; including those who represent corporate and public sector buyers. Dates 25 & 26 March 2017 (Mother’s Day Weekend) Open 11.00am – 6.00pm Venue Arnolfini,