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Women’s Empowerment in Action, within the Jewellery Supply Chain

The Dragonfly Initiative is a sustainability consultancy that works across the depth of the jewellery supply chain to support the growth and sustainability of emergent jewellery businesses. The consultancy has recently been working with brands which champion female empowerment. Vivien Johnston of The Dragonfly Initiative is an expert in her field regarding jewellery ethics and sustainability as well as having a track record of first hand experience in end to end best practice in jewellery manufacture. A recent client of the consultancy was a female led jewellery brand, Myne London, which had a mandate to source emeralds mined and polished

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

The Cartier Jewellery Institute opens its doors for the 2024 European Heritage Days

Cartier Jewellery Institute Open Event 9th Arrondissement, Paris 21st - 22nd September 2024 On 21st and 22nd September 2024, the Cartier Jewellery Institute is opening its doors to the public for the third year running, honouring an exceptional event that is part of the European Heritage Days initiative supported by the French Ministry of Culture. Over 300 visitors will have the opportunity to discover Cartier’s exceptional jewellery craftsmanship and savoir-faire. In addition, for the 2024 edition of the event and for operation ‘Levez les yeux’ (Look up), created in partnership with the French Ministry of National Education, the Institute will

Munich Jewellery Week 2024

Munich Jewellery Week 2024 28 February - 3 March 2024 Munich Jewellery Week is an annual, independent, artist-run contemporary jewellery initiative that takes place in the city of Munich every March. The success of the event, which grows exponentially every year, is in thanks to the spirit of collaboration by jewellery artists and designers from all over the world: students, emerging, mid-career and established art jewellers alike come to present their jewellery on their own terms, and in their own unique ways. MJW has gained a reputation for being the most important event for the field worldwide, and the number

Scientist-turned-Jewellery Designer wins support of Theo Paphitis & Kew Gardens

After beginning her working life as a lab-scientist, and spending 25 years in the NHS,  Sarah Greening now uses her science background to experiment with the chemistry of glass fusing in a kiln to create jewellery where each piece is completely unique, as are the techniques she uses. In its first year, Sarah's brand, Sarah Greening Glass, was one of the businesses selected for an award by Dragon’s Den Retail Entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis, as part of his initiative which supports small businesses in the UK. Paphitas meets with Sarah and the other winners annually, providing business advice from both himself and

Are you a UK Jewellery Student or Apprentice? Read This!

At Benchpeg, we love encouraging and nourishing future creative talent by inspiring you with unique stories, promoting new designers and signposting you to other great resources for those new to the industry. We're excited to let you know about a new membership programme, launched by the Goldsmiths' Centre, for Students and Apprentices registered on UK precious metal courses (sign-up link below). The initiative delivers full access to the Goldsmiths' Centre back-catalogue of Creative Links talks, technical articles and industry-specific resources created by specialist craftspeople for those in the goldsmithing industry.  From personal experience, you only tend to realise just how

MASieraad Graduation Show 🎓

MASieraad Hasselt-Amsterdam is a private initiative by Gijs Bakker, Ruudt Peters, Ted Noten and Liesbeth den Besten. Its aim is to provide an alternative to higher jewellery education in the Netherlands and internationally. After an initial successful start at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam, with the two-year Temporary Master Challenging Jewellery (2018-2020), MASieraad partnered with PXL-MAD in Hasselt. Since September 2021, MASieraad students have been working at the well-equipped brand-new campus in Hasselt, where they have access to many techniques, including 3d printing, laser cutting, textiles, glass, ceramics, film and printing techniques, as well as PXL-MAD's expertise in jewellery, techniques

LVMH announces partnership with La Fabrique Nomade, an association that helps refugee artisans in France find employment

The vernissage for the La Fabrique Nomade’s Traits d’Union 4 collection of objects, jewelry and clothes made by refugee artisans supported by the association took place at the Viaduc des Arts in Paris on September 26th. During the event LVMH formally announced its support for the association, which helps refugee artisans find employment in France. This initiative expands the LVMH Group’s commitments to the preservation and transmission of savoir-faire in artisanal and creative professions. LVMH and its Maisons hold and nurture a rich cultural heritage of artisanal and creative métiers, and have always made preserving and passing on this unique savoir-faire [youtube

Contemporary British Silversmiths launch skill share films

The Contemporary British Silversmiths have launched a skills share initiative where members will be sharing some of the skills that have been passed onto them by other craftspeople throughout their career. The Contemporary British Silversmiths has a long history of community and skills sharing - peer to peer learning is one of the organisation’s founding principles. The first skill share is from Rauni Higson, and shows master silversmith Tony Bedford demonstrating how to solder a wire rim onto a flared vase. Tony agreed to answer any questions on the CBS Instagram page on the video post when it was launched [youtube CBS

Amanda Mansell on why she is committed to creating a jewellery hub in Hatton Garden

Benchpeg spoke to Amanda Mansell this week, as she is nearing the end of her campaign to realise her jewellery hub concept ‘Loupe’ – a multi faceted initiative to support the jewellery industry in the heart of its geographical home. "When I was first introduced to the Hatton Garden jewellery industry about 20 years ago, so much of it operated behind closed doors. It wasn't easy gaining entry. I was lucky enough to receive help which opened some of those doors, but ever since then I’ve been involved in various projects and initiatives to help connect people and encourage the [youtube

Amanda Mansell is equity crowdfunding for a new venture called 'Loupe'

Amanda Mansell a Hatton Garden bespoke jewellery designer of 20+ years - is equity crowdfunding for a new venture called Loupe, a jewellery support initiative which makes use of support from a Camden Council buildings grant. The 'jewellery hub' will aim to create a jewellery destination for London's historic jewellery quarter by providing a customer and trade interface to help promote the industry through experiential customer journeys and provide a route to market for the jewellery industry's supply chains. Loupe will be an experiential retail destination in Hatton Garden where people not only buy jewellery but learn about it and

Annual Spring Fling 'At Home' Brings You Studio Tours, Workshops and Exhibitions

The organisers of Spring Fling are launching  SF | At Home  – a new programme of digital activities. The initiative is to support Spring Fling audiences and artists though this period of isolation and fill some of the gap left by the postponement of Scotland’s leading open studios weekend.  A total of 87 artists and craft makers across Dumfries & Galloway were expecting to welcome around 12,000 visitors through their doors between 23 and 25 May. Despite having to delay the long-running annual event its parent organisation, Upland CIC, has worked with artists, makers and supporters to go digital. Some studios will

Goldsmiths' Centre Launches New Grant for 'Ambitious Learning Experiences'

Grants of up to £5,000 are being offered for 'ambitious learning experiences' as part of the Career Catalyst initiative, offered by the Goldsmiths' Centre, with support from the Goldsmiths' Company Charity and the Radcliffe Trust.  The idea was inspired by former Goldsmiths' Company Apprentice, award-winning jeweller and engraver Castro Smith, whose 2018 travels to Japan have informed and enhanced his recent work. In a similar vein, the Career Catalyst Grant is designed to encourage jewellers, silversmiths and others working in the allied industries to immerse themselves in an unfamiliar environment and develop an innovative approach to their practice. The grant

Lucie Gledhill's Modern Twist on the Victorian Curb Chain Garners Best New Design 2019 at Goldsmiths' Fair Week One

An innovative collaboration, between jeweller Lucie Gledhill and photographer Kasia, has won the attention of this years’ Goldsmiths’ fair expert judge of the Best New Design Award.  This year, Trino Verkade judged the award, a consultant with the Sarabande foundation, an initiative set up by the late legendary designer, Lee Alexander McQueen, who left the majority of his estate to support creative and visionary talent. In addition to providing scholarships and studio space for artists. The curb chain is a feat of craftsmanship, taking three weeks to complete. A chain was fashioned from gold tubing and silver wire, then each

Copenhagen Commitment Summit in London seen as hugely positive step forward

On a beautiful sunny day this week, Benchpeg was invited to join the Copenhagen Commitment’s second summit meeting hosted by the Goldsmiths' Centre to discuss what, in the most democratic and transparent manner, delegates considered to be the most important key issues around industry ethics, the environment and sustainability at both at macro and micro levels were. Delegates such as Pippa Small, Jos Skeates, Stuart Pool, Peter Crump, Melanie Eddy, Thelma West, Yianni Melas, Karen Westland of the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust, Marcus McCallum, Charlotte Cornelius and many, many others were in attendance. Svend Wennick who drives the Copenhagen Commitment initiative

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

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

Jewellery Brand Fenton introduces luxury loyalty programme

Fine jewellery company Fenton has introduced a new reward based peer-to-peer recommendation initiative with exclusive fine jewellery as the prize. Fenton is offering its fans, followers and customers the opportunity to spread the word and share the love thanks to its ‘The Karma Club’ = a new loyalty programme from the digital first, direct-to-consumer, fine jewellery brand. The new scheme means everyone has the opportunity to own a fine jewellery collection simply by referring friends and before having even made a purchase, a first for a luxury brand that continues to innovate within its field.  Known for its colourful engagement

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

Craft Town given funding boost

Makers and craft organisations across Farnham - which was designated as England’s Craft Town in 2013 - are celebrating a funding boost from Arts Council England. The initiative has been awarded funding to develop the town’s annual Craft Month which has taken place every October for the past six years. The month celebrates the town’s deep craft roots – from its earliest involvement with the pottery industry in the 16th century, through the Victorian era and the establishment of the Farnham Pottery and the founding of Farnham Art School in 1880. This remarkable legacy has been continued by a partnership

Munich Jewellery Week 2019

Munich Jewellery Week 2019 11 March to 17 March 2019 Munich Jewellery Week is an independent initiative that supports, communicates and promotes city-wide jewellery exhibitions from 11 March to 17 March 2019. The programme is online. You can now search for any word: artist name, location, material –  anything on the website. Any word that's mentioned in each individual event is now searchable. Type a word in the search box and it will show you a list of results. Find the complete programme on Events page, with each title and address clickable, to help you get more information fast or

Jewellery house Alessa announces annual charity campaign to support families, women and children

Alessa Jewelry was born out of a fairy tale romance between Yuvraj Pahuja and Alessandra Robles, after meeting at the Gemological Institute of America. Inspired by Alessandra’s Guatemalan ancestry and Yuvraj’s family experience within the jewellery industry, the brand boasts striking, vibrant and edgy designs for the modern woman, whilst nodding to both Latin-American and Indian heritage. Six years ago, Alessandra; born and raised in Guatemala launched ‘Give Wings,’ a year-long charity initiative on a mission to give back to the community. As part of this, the brand teams up with Not-For-Profits that not only provide housing, health and educational

The first edition of New York City Jewelry Week just started!

NYCJW is the first and only week dedicated to promoting the world of jewelry through educational and innovative NYC focused programming. In its inaugural year, NYCJW will feature exhibitions, lectures, workshops, studio tours. Aimed at supporting and fostering jewelry of all types, the initiative also includes participation from both established and emerging brands, individual jewelers, artists, and designers. Image: A yashmak made in the 1990s from aluminum and Swarovski crystals by British jewelry designer Shaun Leane for fashion designer Alexander McQueen Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Created by two industry leaders from the worlds of art jewelry and

Get to know IJL's six winning Kickstarters for 2018

International Jewellery London have announced the six winning designers selected as the 2018 IJL KickStarters. This annual mentoring programme, now in its tenth year, offers the six the exciting opportunity to not only exhibit under the KickStart umbrella at IJL 2018 but also receive invaluable marketing support from IJL and co-sponsors, The National Association of Jewellers. This initiative is recognised by the industry as one of the most successful bursary programmes for new emerging British talent.  Sarah Kitley-Spencer, IJL Show Manager, comments: “Congratulations to all of our six KickStart designers. As ever, they show exceptional creative flair and their styles are very

ILJ KickStart winners announced

The lives and careers of six talented young jewellery designers are poised for lift off after they were selected as beneficiaries of the 2018 IJL KickStart initiative. Chosen for their 'strongly individual stories' the six will get premium exhibition spots at International Jewellery London 2018 in addition to a raft of marketing and business tips from ILJ and their sponsors The National Association of Jewellers to fast track their young careers. The benefits of winning this accolade will ensure they get a head start in what has become a challenging and tricky commercial environment. These benfits include a mentoring package,

Munich Jewellery Week 2018

Munich Jewellery Week 2018 Munich Jewellery Week is an independent initiative that supports and communicates yearly citywide jewellery exhibitions in Munich. This year, Munich Jewellery Week have launched a new interactive website to offer visitors and participants a smooth MJW experience. Directly linked to the Google Maps, the website will immediately indicate your location and distance to each event. Open it on your phone and click on the address line to switch to Google Maps.  Take advantage of the free roaming for EU mobile users travelling to other countries and use our interactive website as a perfect tool to guide

Clothworkers' Hall to Play Host to Two Prestigious Silversmiths in a Live Demonstration and Meet the Maker Event, as part of London Craft Week

The Clothworkers' Company will the doors to it's prestigous hall to the public in May, in an event that provides a rare opportunity to watch Silversmiths' at work.  The event will take place as part of London Craft Week, an initiative that started in 2015, where iconic buildings, institutions and smaller venues accross the City host craft-based events for the public. In keeping with this spirit, Clothworkers’ Hall will open it's doors, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see inside one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London. The Clothworkers' Company are hosting two Silversmith's from

Brilliant social media wins Alice Barnes 2017 Industry's Choice Award

Alice Barnes built up a formidable following on social media for her unique paper art jewellery to win the IJL 2017 KickStart ‘Industry’s Choice Award’, beating nine other contenders for the prestigious prize of a complimentary stand in the Design Gallery in 2018. The ten KickStarters went into battle over the summer to win as many votes as possible from the public via social media and an online poll, with the prize awarded at the discretion of the IJL and The National Association of Jewellers.  Showing initiative and enterprise in her use of social media and email marketing, Alice gained

IJL Announce The Ten New Talented KickStarters for 2017

International Jewellery London has announced the ten new designers chosen for the 2017 IJL  KickStart  initiative. T his annual mentoring programme, now in its ninth year, is recognised within the industry as one of the most successful bursary programmes for new emerging British talent. All ten will exhibit under the  KickStart  umbrella at this year’s show and will also benefit from invaluable marketing support from IJL and co-sponsors, The National Association of Jewellers, to help them grow their businesses. The scheme includes this year the newly titled ‘Industry’s Choice’ award, which will reward one  KickStarter  with a complementary stand in

Munich Jewellery Week 2017

Munich Jewellery Week is an independent initiative that supports, communicates and promotes citywide jewellery exhibitions taking place during the week of the annual Handwerk & Design expo, and its historic jewellery exhibitions: Meister der Moderne, Schmuck and Talente. From March 8th till March 14th Munich Jewellery Week will showcase avant-garde contemporary jewellery by established and up-and-coming designers from all over the world. This yearly gathering is by far the most significant event on contemporary jewellery’s calendar; it’s a unique phenomenon which plays a pacemaking role in the contemporary jewellery field. Hundreds of makers, students, educators and collectors come from all

Small Business Saturday Businesses Invited to 10 Downing St.

A small jewellery business from Penarth was chosen to be among 100 selected businesses from around the country invited to Downing Street on this week to attend a reception to mark the UK’s fourth annual Small Business Saturday on Saturday 3 rd  December. Anne Morgan, owner of Anne Morgan Jewellery, a gallery that specialises in selling handmade jewellery by 30 jewellery designer makers as well as her own work, joined other small business owners at a reception at No.10 Downing Street attended by the Small Business Minister Margot James. Prime Minister Theresa May said about the initiative, “Small Business Saturday

British Fashion Council Launches British High-End Manufacturers Database

Caroline Rush CBE, CEO of the British Fashion Council and Professor Christopher Moore, Director of the British School of Fashion, Glasgow Caledonian University have  launched the British Fashion Council’s new  British High-End Manufacturers Database. The national database of UK-based manufacturers aims to make it easier for designers to form supply chain relationships and reach production units. The British High-End Manufacturers Database  is the first milestone of 2017 for the BFC’s Positive Fashion initiative. In March 2015 the BFC and a working group comprising of M&S, UKFT, Creative Skillset, The Alliance Project and Centre for Fashion Enterprise worked alongside independent specialists

IJL 2017 Launch New Exhibitor Support Programme

International Jewellery London 2017 will be launching a special complementary support programme for all exhibitors this year to ensure that they maximise their experience and commercial success at this year’s show.  The programme is an integral part of the # withyou  campaign, designed to showcase IJL’s continuing commitment to provide year-round support to the UK and international jewellery sector.   Summer Masterclass A comprehensive programme of pre-show support includes online assistance, tailored blog content and webinars on exhibiting guidelines. The initiative comes together in a one day, free-to-attend, Summer Masterclass on 15 June, where all IJL exhibitors are invited to

Susan Blackler Wins 2016 Gem Empathy Award

Gem-A have announced that Susan Blackler, of Sonkai Ltd., is the winner of Gem-A's newly-revamped Gem Empathy Award 2016, with her design titled ‘Supernova’. In previous years the award has been presented to the IJL exhibitor displaying, in the opinion of the judges, a single piece or collection of jewellery that makes captivating use of one or more gemstones. This year, however, Gem-A has remodelled the creative initiative, requesting that designers featured in the Design Gallery at IJL, produce a design based around a breathtaking 10.46ct Fantasy Cut heliodor (also known as golden beryl), sourced from award-winning gem cutter JohnDyer.  

The Scotland Craft & Design Pavilion, Craft Scotland as part of London Design Fair

First ever Scottish pavilion at London Design Fair. More than 20 cutting edge craft makers have been selected for a showcase of Scottish excellence at the London Design Fair. It will be the first time Scotland has had its own pavilion at the prestigious four-day event and aims to raise the international profile of its talent in everything from ceramics, lighting and jewellery to glass, furniture and textiles. The Scotland: Craft & Design pavilion is an initiative between Craft Scotland (the national agency for craft) and Emergents, a community interest company supporting the development of creative careers, enterprise and the

British Fashion Council Announce New Rock Vault Line-Up

The British Fashion Council (BFC) is pleased to announce the six Rock Vault jewellers who will display their latest collections during London Fashion Week September 2016. The jewellers will showcase their work in an installation in the Designer Showrooms at Brewer Street Car Park.   For 2016/17 new recipients Daou Jewellery and Frances Wadsworth Jones join existing Rock Vault designers COMPLETEDWORKS, Lily Kamper, Rachel Boston and Shimell and Madden. This year Ana de Costa, Beth Gilmour, Jacqueline Cullen, Ornella Iannuzzi, RUIFIER and Yunus and Eliza all graduate from the initiative. Previous Rock Vault recipients include: Alice Cicolini, Fernado Jorge, Hannah

BFC Fashion Trust Announces 2017 Grant Recipients

Th e British Fashion Council has announced that its charitable initiative BFC Fashion Trust has awarded grants totalling  £450,000  between eleven designers; the largest donation by the trust to date. New recipients for 2017 are Edeline Lee, Georgia Hardinge, Isa Arfen, Sharon Wauchob and Teatum Jones. Previous recipients who continue to receive funding this year are Eudon Choi, Fyodor Golan, Huishan Zhang, Marques’Almeida, Osman and Rejina Pyo.   The BFC Fashion Trust was founded in February 2011 to offer selected designers mentoring and financial support to promote the art and business of fashion. As part of the structured mentoring programme

IJL Announces Bright Young Gems 2016

IJL has announced the five Bright Young Gems selected to show at this year’s event. Now in its eleventh year, this initiative is recognised by the industry as one of the leading commercial opportunities for emerging designers, providing these talented young designers with an outstanding commercial platform and excellent exposure. These emerging stars of the contemporary jewellery world are selected from final year students at colleges and universities across the UK by a prestigious panel – comprising Hilary Alexander, OBE: Editor at Large Hello! Fashion Monthly Magazine, Vivienne Becker: jewellery historian and Contributing Editor to the Financial Times - How

Catapult Project’ propels Weston Beamor into a new era of casting

Weston Beamor, the Birmingham Casting house, 3D printing and bespoke m anufacturing  company  has recently been engaged in a Government funded  High Value Manufacturing  Catapult  initiative. It has been   working closely with academics at a well-known Midland  University  to m ove its casting processes  forward for the next decade.  The company has invested heavily in new casting equipment, which is parti cularly ideal for platinum  and palladium casting, and has worked closely with university staff to fi nd  the best possible methods  of dealing with the nuances of the lost wax casting process using synth etic casting resins developed 

Blooming a Labour of Love: Weston Beamor Proud to be Part of Somme Poppy Pins project

The casting, 3D printing and bespoke manufacturing company Weston Beamor has recently confirmed its involvement in an interesting new project casting Poppy Pins designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in 1916; some examples of which will be on display on their stand (No D60) at International Jewellery London. The special poppies are being cast by Weston Beamor for the London-based company TMB Art Metal (www.TMBArtMetal.com) as a fund raising initiative for the Royal British Legion. They are sold exclusively online through the ‘Poppy Shop’ on the RBL’s website www.britishlegion.org.uk  with the proceeds of all

Fairtrade Gold Jewellery UK Push

The Fairtrade Foundation have unveiled an exciting new initiative as part of its Fairtrade Gold campaign, tagged ‘I DO’, to stamp out practices that have tarnished the jewellery industry’s reputation.   The push will kick off with a series of five nationwide conferences which will be held across England, Scotland and Wales throughout September and October. It will also include the launch of a unique new e-learning platform, a Fairtrade gold business advice clinic and seminar hosted by International Jewellery London, and the creation of a suite of new business resources and new campaigner literature. The conferences will be attended

Hockley Mint opens its doors for tailor-made Retailer Days

Birmingham-based fine jewellery and bridal manufacturer Hockley Mint has launched an initiative to support independent jewellery retailers, opening its doors to invite businesses to find out more about Hockley Mint and to network with fellow retailers. The tailor-made events, which will take place in early 2017, will start with a comprehensive tour of Hockley Mint’s state-of-the-art in-house facilities, offering retailers the chance to gain a unique insight into the award-winning manufacturer’s extensive jewellery production capabilities. Visitors will then be invited to spend the afternoon in an informal networking session, where they will be free to discuss hot industry topics and

Edinburgh's Incorporation of Goldsmiths Host Ethical Symposium

Designer Tips for Ethical Practices to Start off a Sustainable Business Our friends from Edinburgh's Incorporation of Goldsmiths have been up to great adventures in the field of ethical jewellery and sustainability. The Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust, the charitable arm of the Incorporation, shared with us details of their latest initiative of setting up an online ethical jewellery resource for informing jewellery designers who want to work towards an ethical practice. It’s in Our Hands – Symposium on the Future of Ethical Jewellery Making in Scotland In partnership with the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, the Incorporation held their first

Gift card industry launches campaign to drive £2.3 billion high street recovery

The gift card and voucher industry, led by the  Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) , has urged the government  to raise the tax free gift card limit to £500, which could bring the high street an estimated spending boost of more than £2 billion*.  The proposal would involve the government increasing the tax-free gifting allowance of  £50 currently permitted through  HMRC’s Trivial Benefits Allowance  to £500, and encouraging employers across the nation to use the scheme to thank their staff for their hard work over the past few months of COVID-19 uncertainty. This  permanent increase  initiative follows similar proposals

‘Buy Less. Buy Better. Buy Handmade’ This Christmas

Manchester’s Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair launches national Christmas shopping campaign with support from the repair shop’s Jay Blades. With everyone feeling the squeeze this Christmas, Manchester’s award winning Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) has joined forces with the Crafts Council and other leading UK craft organisations to launch a national Christmas shopping campaign, designed to support makers across the UK and encourage shoppers to  Buy Less, Buy Better, Buy Handmade.   This initiative to promote thoughtful gifting has also received the backing of The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades MBE and The Great Pottery Throwdown’s Keith Brymer-Jones. Ann-Marie Franey,

Lebrusan Studio is Fighting the War on Climate Change with Vintage Diamonds, Here's How.

Arabel Lebrusan does not take a gentle approach when it comes to ethical and environmental issue. Her eponymous brand, Lebrusan studio, is well known for its commitement to sustainability, which informs every new collection and initiative.  Lebrusan declares "We're in a state of climate emergency . . . Gobal warming has reached crisis point. No matter how fairly traded or carefully sourced, newly mined materials use up valuable resources. It's vital that we slow down the rate at which we're currently consuming water, land and energy."  Alongside their existing offer of 100% recycled precious metals, Lebrusan Studio are now incorporating

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