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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

Jewelry links: The power of jewelry as a social, political and creative connection

I’ve been following the Turkish contemporary jewellery art scene for a few years now and I have always had the feeling that in the development of their art and design there was something singular and unique. This is both in terms of stylistic evolution and research, and in the formation of a compact, intelligent and measured identity and a creative movement involving artists and designers either individually or collectively. The exhibition JEWELRY LINKS, on view until 11 August at alja&friends gallery in Vienna, brings together 13 jewelry artists from Turkey with the aim of showing stylistically and technically idiosyncratic work

Camden Pop-Up Business School - Small Business Resilience course

Camden Pop-Up Business School - Small Business Resilience course We’ve partnered with the popular PopUp Business School to help business in Camden become more resilient and build their online presence, if you’re a Camden business who would like to access the free training – sign up today. Day 1 - Hose to make your business resilience (AM) and Protecting your business (PM) Day 2 - Building your online presence (AM) and How to win at social media (PM) Day 3 - The sales mindset (AM) and Find supporters, Not Customers (PM) To view the overview of the training programme, click

Festival of Crafts

Welcome to festival of crafts, our autumn showcase of the UK's finest craft makers and designers. Enjoy an immersive weekend of shopping, demonstrations, bookable workshops, talks, and drop-in activities. Celebrating its 29th year, this annual two-day event features a curated selection of handmade crafts across all media, including homewares, jewellery, ceramics, stationery, accessories, furniture, lighting, textiles and print. Part of Farnham Craft Month, the festival offers a relaxed environment for visitors to browse, meet, and buy directly from the makers. farnhammaltings.com

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

UK Jewellery, Silverware and Allied Crafts sector meet with MP

On Thursday the 8th February Benchpeg was privileged and honoured to attend, with 23 other senior leaders representing the UK Jewellery, Silverware and Allied Crafts sector, a roundtable discussion with meeting Sir Chris Bryant MP, Shadow Minister for the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) who was on a fact finding mission to learn more about our sector. Facilitated by The National Association of Jewellers, and ably Chaired by CEO Ben Massey, the 24 seats around the table demonstrated the myriad of specialisms which the sector is made up of. Selected individuals gave presentations to Mr Bryant MP

Digital NAJ Live

The NAJ has now revealed plans on how it plans to continue with its successful lockdown webinars and coffee breaks through a revised monthly ‘NAJ Live’ format. Sarah Duncan from Chiswick Auctions who previously presented one of the most popular ‘lockdown’ seminars on ‘Sentimental Jewellery’ is announced as a keynote speaker alongside Alex Kettler, Head of Media at Richard Winterton Auctioneers for the very first digital NAJ Live. The digital NAJ Live format will include three webinar presentations, with Helen Dimmick NAJ Retail Ambassador hosting proceedings. After the webinar sessions have closed, attendees will then have the opportunity to join

Festival of Silver 2024

Festival of Silver, Cheltenham part of Craft Festival Cheltenham Town Hall 17 - 19 November 2023 Festival of Silver’s mission is to promote the skills, design and craftsmanship of UK silversmiths and to give a high-profile platform to both established and newly qualified silversmiths. We also strive to be a comprehensive resource and showcase for the industry. Originally set up by Gordon Hamme and Brett Payne in 2008, British Silver Week quickly grew to become Festival of Silver and has mounted over 80 major exhibitions across the UK bringing new silversmithing talent to the attention of the media and public. In 2019 Gordon Hamme handed over

The Art of Brooches - L'École Van Cleef & Arpels

The history of brooches reflects the social and technical evolution of humanity. During Antiquity, some mysterious fibulae made with bronze spirals tell us that this object was perhaps firstly used to secure clothing. Subsequently, this utilitarian and functional aspect will be lost in favor of an ornamental role: decorated with precious stones, brooches will express the wealth and power of their wearers. As a military badge, a sign of love and devotion, an expression of personal opinions or simply worn for Glamor, the brooch is rich in many meanings which we invite you to study in this Talk. With a

Anna Lewis: Stay

In the series Stay, Anna Lewis investigates the aesthetic, symbolic and costume imagery of the Victorian era, starting from an antique corset made of whalebone, linen and silk, dated 1780 writes Ilaria Ruggiero. The corset is an object of conflict and contrast; it represents both control and support. A ubiquitous object and outward symbol of self-control, or social control by men. The corset is a political element, for her it is symbolic of discipline, beauty and sexuality yet hides a dark truth by painfully punishing the body in order to fit this feminine ideal. The restriction of this tight cage, crushing

Karolina Baines: Beauty in Interaction

Not only goldsmith tradition characterizes Karolina Baines’s work. She starts from there to explore the creation through many different techniques like sketches, painting, printmaking and mixed media. She aims at balancing shapes, colours and texture in a very refined and delicate way. Her pieces are always very malleable while keeping a strong and independent sense of movement. I addressed her few questions to better understand her world, writes Ilaria Ruggiero. IR: Where does your passion for jewellery come from? KB: I suppose I think of myself as a designer/maker first, and then as specifically a jewellery designer/maker. I love bringing ideas IR: Have

The John Ruskin Prize 2026 Exhibition

Jeweller Rita Sarafian has been selected, as part of 4,000 entries to be on of 82 artists to be shortlisted for the The John Ruskin Prize 2026 with her ‘ To Make Room’ ring. An exhibition of the The John Ruskin Prize 2026 will take place at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London from Thursday 29 January to Saturday 21 February 2026. Out of almost 4,000 entries, 91 artworks by 82 creatives have been shortlisted for this exhibition. The John Ruskin Prize showcases talent in all media, encouraging interdisciplinary works responding to this year’s theme, Patience in Looking, Truth in Making. The exhibition is free to enter, and will be open Wednesday-Sunday each week, from 11-5pm

PRESS RELEASE: Jeweller Rita Sarafian Shortlisted for John Ruskin Prize 2026

East and West Dialogue: One World One Dream, ‘How to Develop the Sustainability of National Craftsmanship’

East and West Dialogue: One World One Dream, ‘How to Develop the Sustainability of National Craftsmanship’ The London Design Academy 9.30am, Saturday 29 August 2020 The exciting international educational initiative – The London Design Academy (LDA) – continues the global educational debate this weekend with the second in a series of online global forums, East and West Dialogue: One World One Dream, ‘How to Develop the Sustainability of National Craftsmanship' live online on Saturday 29 August 2020 9.30am With the world facing unprecedented economic and social challenges in the aftermath of COVID 19, these forums are themed to the

London Fashion Week 2020

London Fashion Week 2020 17th - 22nd September 2020 British Fashion Council (BFC) today announces that London Fashion Week September 2020 will run from 5pm BST Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 September 2020 , inviting both womenswear and menswear designers to take part in its gender-neutral showcase. The event will include both digital activations on londonfashionweek.co.uk and physical, under government social distancing guidelines. A provisional schedule will be announced later in the summer. The digital LFW platform will continue to host exclusive multimedia content and will be available to both a consumer and trade audience, enabling collaboration and bringing

2024 Ethical Gem Fair Tucson

Ethical Gem Fair Tucson Tucson, USA 27 - 30th January 2024 Responsible sourcing will take center stage at the 2024 Ethical Gem Fair Tucson in its fourth annual event. Opening its doors from January 27th to 30th, the Ethical Gem Suppliers Collective will offer a unique opportunity for industry professionals to discover gemstones with short supply chains that support, uplift and respect mining and cutting communities. This trade-only event welcomes jewelry designers, retailers, industry experts and press to explore a curated selection of gemstones that set the standards of social and environmental awareness and responsibility. The Ethical Gem Fair Tucson

Vanilla Ink The Smiddy Creates San Martín Quaich

Banff silversmithing and jewellery school, Vanilla Ink The Smiddy are delighted to announce the creation of the José de San Martín Quaich. The North East social enterprise, which opened in 2018, was commissioned by Friends of Duff House to create a gift to present to the Argentine Ambassador during the bicentennial celebrations of the South American General’s visit to Banff in 1824. San Martín, known as “the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru”, is a true national hero in his home country, whose name and image stir emotions and feelings of pride. Scott McIntyre, founding Director of The Smiddy, explained:

Inventories of Living Heritage in the UK

Inventories of Living Heritage in the UK Your gateway to the vibrant traditions and social practices that tell our nation’s stories. This site celebrates our living heritage, as part of the UK’s commitment to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Whether you’re just discovering or keen to get involved, you’re in the right place. Expression of Interest For information about anything on this form, please see our Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions . Please fill out this short form to express your interest in submitting an element of living heritage to the inventories of living

PR guru Suzanna Hammond has died

Jewellery stalwart Suzanna Hammond, the luxury and lifestyle PR guru, has died. Suzanna was a well known, well liked personality within the jewellery industry, who was always perfectly turned out, with a glamorous aura and friendly and warm personality to match. She had set up Hammond PR in the early 1990s after being on the board at Ogilvy Mather and became the go-to agency for jewellery and luxury sectors. Suzanna and her team achieved a reputation for their professionalism, intelligent strategies and considered advice, advising on corporate social responsibility and liaising with government for the BG Group and BG Foundation. Suzanna

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Deptford

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Deptford 2 - 3 December 2023 Cockpit is a centre for excellence in craft, bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. We are an award-winning social enterprise, home to 160 independent creative businesses in London. Twice a year we open our doors to the public, for the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most celebrated craftspeople in their studios. Surrounded by their tools, materials and work-in-progress, this is a rare authentic glimpse behind the scenes and a chance to hear first-hand about their inspiration, process and the often meandering journeys they’ve been

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Bloomsbury

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Bloomsbury An Open Studios event from London’s leading makers 23 - 26 November 2023 Cockpit is a centre for excellence in craft, bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. We are an award-winning social enterprise, home to 160 independent creative businesses in London. Twice a year we open our doors to the public, for the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most celebrated craftspeople in their studios. Surrounded by their tools, materials and work-in-progress, this is a rare authentic glimpse behind the scenes and a chance to hear first-hand about their inspiration, process

SCHMUCK München

SCHMUCK München 4 – 8 March 2026 Internationale Handwerksmesse, Munich, Germany The international special show SCHMUCK for jewellery The SCHMUCKmünchen special show has been held annually since 1959 as part of the Internationale Handwerksmesse in Munich. It has set itself the task of tracing and documenting new developments in the gold and silversmith's craft. The history of SCHMUCKmünchen shows in an impressive way how design and culture change over the decades and how jewellery serves to convey messages of a social, political and personal nature. Internationale Handwerksmesse Munich, March 4 – 8, 2026 Messegelände, Hall B1 Underground line 2, “Messestadt

Bench space available in shared London studio - £300pm inc bills

Bench space available in shared London studio - £300pm inc bills Bench spaces available in shared London studio £300pm inc bills available from today! 24 hour access, to your own personal bench space, 7 days per week. Shared studio space facilities are: Propane Torch and torch area Durston Rolling mill Polisher Vices Pickle pot Ultrasonic Tree trunks for hammering Central design table Chemical storage Building amenities: 24hour access 7am-5pm weekday reception Plus we have a newly refurbished communal kitchens, social spaces, Meeting rooms Wifi and Showers. 30mins to Hatton Garden, lots of transport links from Stratford station. For more details