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The Creative Business

‘The Creative Business’ is a collaborative research project setup by artist and creative producer Antonia Beck, and Dr Jacob Salder (Centre for Enterprise, Innovation and Growth, Birmingham City University). This project will look to better understand business practice in the creative sector, specifically focusing on arts / performance-based creative industries. The objective of the project is to support and examine development for arts-based businesses, in particular how this relates to and can be informed by more mainstream approaches. It is expected this project will contribute toward enhancing understanding of the development needs of arts-based creative industries, and through this inform

The Uncivilised Creative

Bea Ramsay and Change in Nature have just launched The Uncivilised Creative - a four-day wilderness retreat for creative professionals looking for an inspiring and refreshing sabbatical to reconnect with their creative thread. This retreat is an antidote to the fast pace of modern life and the pressures of being a professional creative. It offers a precious chance to quieten busy heads and remember how it feels for the hours to pass like minutes, lost in creative flow. Who are Bea and ChangeinNature.org? As ‘Alex Ramsay’ Bea ran a successful silversmithing studio in London for 12 years – exhibiting her

Creative United

Free Business Support Programme Creative United Are you a Wandsworth based creative business, freelancer or artist in need of some business planning support? Creative United's latest programme, Re:Create 2021 is enrolling 50 artists, makers and creative businesses in the borough. As well as expanding your network, Re:Create2021 will provide free, specialist 1:1 support where you can expect to gain a better understanding of: Creating a business or marketing plan Setting business & professional goals Responding to these new & challenging times Sound like something you’d be interested in? Apply now! Deadline: 28th February www.creativeunited.org.uk

Artist / Creative Practitioner in Residence

Artist / Creative Practitioner in Residence: Ilfracombe Museum Ilfracombe Museum is seeking an Artist / Creative Practitioner-in-residence to deliver the creative elements of its Art Fund Respond and Reimagine  Stay Curious project.  The total fee shall not exceed £7,000 and is inclusive of all fees and expenses, including materials and travel. The contract is awarded by Ilfracombe Museum Trust CIO for approximately five months between February and June 2021. The Creative Practitioner will work as part of the team including the Museum Manager, Creative Producer, Stay Curious Evaluator, Education Officer and project volunteers to deliver key creative outputs to enable

Developing your Creative Practice

Call for Applications: Developing your Creative Practice DYCP supports individuals who are cultural and creative practitioners and want to take time to focus on their creative development. Round 9 is now open The next round of DYCP opened on 11 January 2021 and closes on 12pm (midday), 18 February 2021. About the fund Are you interested in making an application? You can plan your application at any time, take a look at our  guidance for applicants  and find out if you're ready to apply with our  short quiz . The fund supports creative practitioners thinking of taking their practice to

Creative Fellow, The Workhouse

The Creative Fellowship scheme is an annual programme of residencies with The National Trust at The Workhouse, Southwell. The scheme is intended to support the production of new creative work, in collaboration with researchers, responding to this fascinating site and engaging audiences in its history through creative means. About The Workhouse From its foundation, the workhouse system cared for those in need. It was a homeless shelter, a children’s home, a care home, a hospital, a school and a job centre; the Welfare State in embryonic form. Today we see the inheritance of this system all around us. The Project

Southmere Creative Commission

Southmere Creative Commission We're looking to integrate high-quality and innovative creative commission(s) in Southmere as part of our first major regeneration phase in Thamesmead. We are seeking to appoint a specialist public art team or producer who can commission and manage artist(s), and the fabrication and installation of their works in Southmere, our first major development in Thamesmead. The total budget for all fees, fabrication and installation costs is £175,000 + VAT. The deadline for proposals to be submitted via Delta is 12 noon GMT, Monday 18 January 2021. Click here to download the Southmere Creative Commission brief: www.thamesmeadnow.org.uk More

London Creative Network

Call for Applications: The London Creative Network  The London Creative Network (LCN) Programme at Cockpit Arts is a professional development programme designed to help medium to established craft makers enhance their ability to advance their business regardless of whether they have a studio at Cockpit Arts. We provide creative business and professional development support to craft makers who have the aspiration and talent to do what they do professionally. We cater for all types of craft practices; from batch producers to artist-makers. The current round is now open for applications. Deadline: 25 October. For more information: cockpitarts.com

Programme Manager - Creative Metalwork

Programme Manager (Higher Education) - Creative Metalwork, Plumpton College We are looking to recruit a permanent Programme Manager (HE) in Creative Metalworking who will adopt innovative approaches to developing the curriculum to meet the local, regional and national requirements in higher education. The candidate may come from a creative, art or metalworking background. The ideal candidate will be a professional, hardworking and confident team player with a track record of good or outstanding teaching. This is a full-time post, although for the right candidate a substantive part-time contract would be considered. As well as a competitive salary, you can also

Culture Creative 2021

Call for Artists: Culture Creative If you are an artist, lighting designer, or company with an exciting idea or existing work that you feel would be ideal for our illuminated trails in 2021, then we’d love to hear from you. Culture Creative is a leader in the creation of illuminated trails worldwide. We have just completed our winter trails at various sites including - Kew Gardens, Blenheim Palace, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Chicago Botanic Garden and are due to install three new trails in the USA and more new trails in the UK at the end of this year. Therefore

Creative Urges 2018

Creative Urges 2018 Students Take the Studio for Camberwell Arts Festival 2018 Summer is here and it’s time to let the Flux Studio students shine. We’re giving them reign over our studio to indulge their creative urges. You’re invited too! Join us for a week of thrills including student exhibitions, jewellery demonstrations, family workshops and more. Celebrating the wild creativity of our students at Flux To coincide with Camberwell Arts Week we’re highlighting our brilliant jewellery students at work. We open our doors for you to see them in action. Watch them work their magic to transform raw materials into

Creative UK launches critical new survey into creative funding and finance

Creative UK are conducting research to investigate how creative businesses and organisations utilise finance, and want to hear from you –  CLICK HERE . New research is being undertaken by Creative UK in partnership with the Creative Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) and BVA BDRC, supported by the  Bloomberg Philanthropies , the  Creative Industries Council  and  YouTube .  This research , titled  Access to Finance ,   seeks  to capture experiences and perspectives as to how creative businesses and organisations (e.g. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Not-for Profits, etc.) use finance and funding as they grow.  It’s  a critical window of

Creative Copper Summer Courses

Creative Copper Summer Courses Are you tempted to work in copper for the first time... or add these adaptable skills to your silversmithing and jewellery repertoire this summer? Bryony is offering three courses working with this beautiful material for all levels and price ranges. More info below.... if you are interested just email me back at info@bryonyknox.com or book at Embossed Copper Box in a Morning- £55 Saturday 10-1pm . Sat 18th June 2022 Inspired by the Arts & Crafts Movement, design and make an embossed copper shim box in this 3 hour workshop. An ideal  way for beginners to

The Creative Journey of Doriana Richman

Living life in the fast lane as one of the entertainment industry's top Automotive Advertising stunt drivers, Doriana Richman has embarked on a new creative journey as a jewellery designer. 'Stone Symbol Jewelry' was inspired by her visit to the excavated city of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia. It was in this ancient city that Doriana came across an ancient secret symbol, which had emerged as a code to those seeking refuge from religious persecution. The symbol, that informed the knowing observer of a safe harbor and the existence of like minded believers, was carved

Wiltshire Creative Summer Open 2019

Call for Applications: Wiltshire Creative Summer Open 2019 Wiltshire Creative is a new pan-arts organisation that brings together the energy and aspirations of Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury International Arts Festival and Salisbury Playhouse. It is an ambitious and innovative joint arts offer that shapes and strengthens a future for audiences, artists and participants. Based in the city of Salisbury Wiltshire Creative draws audiences from across the county and beyond. As part of the visual arts programme we seek to showcase work that has been created locally. This year we are looking forward to introducing the first ever Wiltshire Creative Summer

Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs

Call for Applications:  Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs  For 27 years the Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs has helped creatives bring their ideas to life. Partnering with MeWe360, the programme aims to enable and celebrate talented 18-30 year olds driven to make positive social impact through their creative enterprise. £60,000 prize fund £100,000 worth of business support 5 winners DBACE supports visionary creative entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-30 who are driven by a mission to create and sustain social value through their enterprise. DBACE aims to reach ambitious individuals from all backgrounds with ideas that will improve

UK's largest Creative Freelancer Survey

Creative UK has  launched its UK wide survey into freelancing, as part of the Redesigning Freelancing initiative. The survey, open to creative organisations as well as freelancers, will help provide evidence on working conditions that will help to spearhead industry-wide change. The initiative, delivered in partnership with nine Combined Authorities, aims to reach creative communities across the UK and highlight the challenges that freelancers face locally and nationally. The survey is open until 9 January 2023. www.surveymonkey.co.uk www.wearecreative.uk

Studios and Creative Workspaces - Craft Central

Artist studios and creative workspaces in East London Craft Central has been supporting designer makers, small businesses, entrepreneurs and creative individuals for nearly 50 years. Now situated at The Forge in East London, we offer studios and co-working spaces as well as an incredible gallery space available for exhibitions and events. 1. It's a quick and easy commute to the Isle of Dogs: in a peaceful location five stops from Canary Wharf; seven minutes walk from Island Gardens station (DLR). 2. It's unique, Grade II listed and full of industrial heritage. 3. The high-quality renovation was commended for a New

Cockpit Arts London Creative Network

Call for Applications: The London Creative Network (LCN) Programme  The London Creative Network (LCN) Programme is Cockpit Arts' professional development programme designed to help craft makers in London to enhance their ability to advance their business. All makers who join our nine part workshop programme will be better equipped to: Develop strategic vision and identify goals and milestones, from the short to long term Plan for the business and practice, by articulating business values clearly Prepare to introduce new product ranges or services, or work in a new way Understand how to target audience and market, and effectively communicate to them

Adur & Worthing Trust Creative Commissions

Call for Applications:  The Adur & Worthing Trust Creative Commissions The Adur & Worthing Trust Creative Commissions are offering grants of  £300 – £700  to produce a new piece of work in any artform – visual arts, performance, music, film, photography, dance, digital, literature, craft and more – plus accompanying documentation (such as photographs, film, text or a combination of different media) that must be submitted at the end of the project. Your Commission must take place in Adur or Worthing, and must be completed by the end of January 2022. SWAG Award One additional commission this year will be

What Are Your Creative Business Needs?

Call For Makers: What Are Your Creative Business Needs? We run an extensive nationwide programme ofprofessional workshops, 1:1 advice sessions and a biennial conference. These cover all aspects of creative businesses including marketing, branding, social media, funding, pricing, residencies, working with galleries, business planning and more. Help us help you by completing our maker survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk , telling us what your business needs are, what methods best suit you and what you'd like to know more about. First twenty completed surveys will be entitled to a complimentary ticket to Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects at the Saatchi

Creative Business Workshops, Crafts Council

Three workshops coming up this November to support your creative business development.  The Crafts Council recognise the need for artists, makers and designers to be supported throughout their career whether just starting out or as an established international artist.  These accessible, enjoyable, and informative workshops offer the right mix of key experts and experienced makers offering advice to help you establish and sustain a creative business or realise ambitious projects. Tickets Costs start at just £20 and are based at different regions across the UK.  Dates: Dates this November 3rd in Sunderland 16th in London and 21st in Leicester To

Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers - Scotland

Creative Scotland Hardship Fund *Please note that applications open midday on 10 November, you will only be able to apply from then* What is this fund for? This fund has been provided by Scottish Government to support freelance craft practitioners working in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund offers a one-off bursary to those who are most deeply impacted and disadvantaged as a result of COVID-19. This includes practitioners who operate using a personal service company (PSC) or ‘loan-out’ type structure, sole traders and

Crafting Creative Magic: Origami Jewellery

Beautifully delicate, light, infinetly refined and undeniably eye-catching, Origami can only be described as a touch of magical tradition folded within creative craftsmanship. The elegant art of Japanese paper folding encapsulates not only an innovative drive of talent and imagination but an artistic way of expressing personality. Folded, flipped and curled into a mix of precious fine metals, the fresh and charming appeal of Origami Jewellery is the inspired child of French designers Claire Naa and Arnaud Soulignac. Influenced from the beauty of Japanese originality, these two founding partners sought to showcase the light and dreamy allure of oriental art

Residency: Glass Artist, Creative Collisions

We are looking for a highly skilled glass artist to become the sixth of six crafts people in residence at Time and Tide Museum as part of our Crafting History programme. Crafting History is a Heritage Lottery Fund, Young Roots programme. What is Crafting History? Young People from Creative Collisions Youth Arts network are working work with Norfolk Museums and Norfolk Arts & Library Services and to set up and manage six, twelve week, craft residencies at Time & Tide Museum. Young People have identified key craft skills that have contributed significantly to the heritage of Great Yarmouth and which

Call for Applications: InnovationRCA Creative Brands Accelerator

Call for Applications: InnovationRCA Creative Brands Accelerator Creative small businesses founded by RCA graduates are invited to apply to the InnovationRCA Creative Brands Accelerator. Participation in the programme will give you access to InnovationRCA's range of high profile coaches and mentors, and, for selected brands, the opportunity to pitch to investors. Applications open on 13 October 2020. For more information, join us online at the Creative Brands Accelerator Launch Webinar on Tuesday 13th October at 1pm (UK time). Register  here .

Creative Development Award 2019/20, Association for Contemporary Jewellery

Call for Applications: Creative Development Award Association for Contemporary Jewellery This is an exciting opportunity for an ACJ group or member to apply for an award of up to £500 to assist an in individual or group to enable them to undertake a form of creative development. This could be for any activity or event which will help to enhance your creative practice. The deadline to apply for the ACJ's Creative Development Awards is fast approaching with less than 2 weeks left to get your applications in. Deadline 15th September. These are also available in ‘Grants for Groups’ in the member

Call for Creative Practitioners, Redevelopment of Maindee Library, Newport

Call for Creative Practitioners, Redevelopment of Maindee Library, Newport Maindee Unlimited are inviting applications from Creative Practitioners (artists/designers/architects, as individuals, studios, partnerships or group practices) to work on a project within Maindee Library, a volunteer-run community space on the eastern side of Newport city centre. The commission is to work with the Maindee Library Working Group and other key stakeholders to identify, prioritise and develop creative/design solutions and oversee their implementation towards the renovation and improvement of the library building as a flexible and creative space for community use. For full brief and details of how to apply www.addocreative.com This

Creative & Cultural Skills Annual Awards Evening 2017

Creative and Cultural Skills recently held their annual awards evening for the winners of the  2017 Cr eative & Cultural Skills Awards which  were judged by leading employers in the creative industries.    The awards were designed to celebrate inspirational individuals, teams and organisations, who show an outstanding commitment to the training and development of new talent in the creative industries. The Awards Evening allowed recognition for those individuals and organisations responsible for passing on their skills, as well as those who show an outstanding dedication to the creative industries. The jewellery industry had two winners in the Craft Skills

Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) publishes State of the Nations Report

The Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) have published a report on the Creative Industries to interrogate 'persistent social inequalities in who produces and participates in arts, culture and heritage, and who gets the opportunity to work in the sector.' The State of the Nations report from the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) uses census data to provide, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce. The insights shed light on where progress has been made on inclusion, and where significant inequalities and barriers still exist that require policy interventions. The analysis, using

Creative Exchange Residency for Craft Practitioners 2023-25

Creative Exchange Residency for Craft Practitioners 2023-25 World Craft Council Europe “The Creative Exchange Residency for Craft Practitioners is Back! Now extended and more flexible, building on the experiences of over 20 previous exchanges.” The  Creative Exchange Residency for Craft Practitioners  aims to foster a collaborative and open learning environment, encouraging craft practitioners to apply their unique skills and perspectives. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful exchanges, contributing to the rich tapestry of European craft knowledge and practice. The call is open to  professional craft practitioners of all levels  from diverse regions across Europe, facilitating exchanges

The London Creative Network Programme, Cockpit Arts

Call for applications: The London Creative Network Programme, Cockpit Arts Are you an ambitious maker looking for professional support to grow your craft business? Applications are now open for the London Creative Network (LCN) Programme at Cockpit Arts.  The London Creative Network (LCN) Programme at Cockpit Arts is a professional development programme designed to help medium to established craft makers enhance their ability to advance their business. We are now entering the final stages of the programme which is due to end in September 2021. Our fully funded programme is a bespoke offer of information-led, practical workshops which is complemented

Winchester Creative Enterprise Centre Moves Forward

The planning applications have now been submitted for a new Creative Enterprise Centre project in Winchester. The centre proposed, by Winchester City Council, will see the refurbishment of the ‘Goods Shed’ on Barfield Close to house a variety of visual artists and other, office-based creative businesses such as design and architecture practices. A new, warehouse-style building is also being considered as part of the proposal to accommodate performing arts organisations needing to rehearse, create new work or run workshops. The ambition is to provide advice and support to those organisations and individuals taking space in the Creative Enterprise Centre to

University of the Creative Arts - UCA Farnham

Our  Farnham  campus has a long history, going back more than 45 years as a respected  art  and design institution. We offer a variety of courses on this campus, ranging from glasswork and ceramics to film and animation. With over 2,000 students,  Farnham  is the biggest of our campuses Undergraduate: Glass, Ceramics, Jewellery, Metalwork – BA (Hons) www.uca.ac.uk Postgraduate: Jewellery – MA www.uca.ac.uk

University of the Creative Arts - UCA Rochester

With halls of residence only five minutes away and a range of exceptional facilities, including an  art shop, the Zandra Rhodes Gallery and the unique Gerber Suite, our  Rochester  campus offers you a genuinely inspirational study experience.  Undergraduate: Silversmithing, Goldsmithing & Jewellery - BA (Hons) www.uca.ac.uk Contemporary Jewellery – BA (Hons) www.uca.ac.uk Postgraduate: Contemporary Jewellery – MA www.uca.ac.uk

How Do I Finance My Creative Business?

Pricing, costs and business plan: How do I finance my creative business?  Crafts Council Are you looking for advice on how to manage your finances? How to price your work? Looking for expertise on how to manage your cash flow finances or set up a budget? Looking for knowledge and support in seeking income for a project?  Why should you attend?  Find out about how to manage your finances for your creative practice  Find out about funding options for your business whether you are a start up or more established  Find out the top tips from experienced makers on costing

InnovationRCA Creative Brands Accelerator Pop-up

Introducing… Royal College of Art RCA Battersea, Howie Street, London SW11 4AS  7 - 8 December 2022 You are invited to  Introducing…  a pop up event by  InnovationRCA , the Royal College of Art’s centre for entrepreneurship. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the innovative jewellery start-ups they support by meeting the founders, all recent alumni from the RCA, and seeing their products first-hand. A curated selection of 20 startups that have progressed through the Creative Brands Accelerator programme over the past 3 years will be showcased, from sectors including homeware, fashion, jewellery, ceramics and textiles. Through this programme,

WB The Creative Jewellery boss extols 'right fit' Heimerle & Meule deal

The acquisition of Birmingham-based WB The Creative Jewellery Group by German group Heimerle & Meule represents an ‘absolutely right fit’ according to managing director Andrew Morton and will give added security for the futures of around 180 staff. Andrew Morton - WB The Creative Group Managing Director The process of selling WB The Creative Jewellery Group, which owns Domino, Gecko and Weston Beamor to the 173 year-old Heimerle & Meule, one of Europe’s largest precious metal suppliers, started in 2016 when owners Viv and Patrick Fuller decided the time had come to think about retiring. It had been established by

Call for Freelancer and Self-Employed Participation, Creative Industries Federation

The Creative Industries Federation has launched a survey to examine the vital role sole traders and freelancers play in the UK’s creative industries, as part of intensive work on the Government's forthcoming industrial strategy. As you will know, sole-traders and freelance workers account for a huge proportion of the creative workforce, but the nature of their employment means they are routinely overlooked or misunderstood in policy-making. The Crafts Council is a member of the Federation and the survey will help both the Crafts Council and the Federation gather valuable information about self-employed creatives, investigating their working practices and how Government

Isabella Liu wins IJL Editor’s Choice Award for Creative Originality

London based  designer Isabella Liu won the International Jewellery London (IJL) Editor’s Choice award for Creative Originality.   Claire Adler, a luxury communications consultant, and Sam Willoughby, the IJL Event Director, selected the awards this month. T he Creative Originality award  is presented to  the brand or designer that impressed the judges with true originality in terms of design, innovative use of materials or striking colour combinations. Isabella Liu was born in China and is now based in London. She founded her own studio in 2014 and is an award winning jewellery designer and artist whose w orks have been

Second Careerist Jewellers - Establishing A Creative Business Through Further Education

Second Careerist Jewellers - Establishing A Creative Business Through Further Education 20th March 2024 Morley College + Online Join ACJ Director Melanie Eddy, as she chairs a panel discussion with three second careerist jewellers: AngeBDesigns, Ella Fearon-Low and Poppy Norton. Find out about how they became interested in jewellery and their journeys towards a new career. This will be a hybrid event, available in person and online. Date: 20th March 2024 Time: 6:00 -7:30pm Location: Morley College and online - 61 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HT Room: WB13   The event is free but booking is essential Please visit

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

School of Creative Arts Open Day February, West Dean - Chichester

Create your future is the message from West Dean as the College opens its doors to students interested in the Visual Arts incorporating Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, and Tapestry and Textile Art.   The School of Creative Arts Open Day (Saturday 4th February 2017, 10am to 1pm) is an opportunity for prospective students to tour the art studios; meet the  tutors; hear about funding opportunities, including scholarships and bursaries; talk to students; and tour the campus and residential accommodation. Edward James, the founder of the College was a poet, artist, designer and patron of the Surrealist Movement. During his lifetime James

School of Creative Arts Open Day, West Dean - Chichester

Create your future is the message from West Dean as the College opens its doors to students interested in the Visual Arts incorporating Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, and Tapestry and Textile Art.   The School of Creative Arts Open Day (Friday 2 December, 10am to 1pm) is an opportunity for prospective students to tour the art studios; meet the  tutors; hear about funding opportunities, including scholarships and bursaries; talk to students; and tour the campus and residential accommodation. Edward James, the founder of the College was a poet, artist, designer and patron of the Surrealist Movement. During his lifetime James sponsored

Creative Stars Join London Craft Week at Official Opening

This week more than 500 artists, designers, makers, artisans, collectors and patrons of craft descended on the V&A to celebrate the beginning of London Craft Week 2017, which takes place across London from 3 - 7 May. Notable guests in attendance on the night included Hussein Chalayan, Johnny Coca, Tom Dixon, Stephen Jones OBE, Bill Amberg, Lady Carol Bamford and Azzi Glasser plus various international stars including Korean artist Do Ho Suh, Hong Kong designer Elaine Yan Ling Ng and third generation Spanish guitar maker, Felipe Conde.  Award-winning fashion designer Hussein Chalayan presented acclaimed potter Edmund de Waal with the

Creative Unions - Showcasing the work of this year’s graduating Central Saint Martins students

Creative Unions Central St Martins Showcasing the work of this year’s graduating Central Saint Martins students, Creative Unions celebrates the power of design to further public debate. Fifty-seven projects within six curatorial threads provide alternative responses to the multiple and complex challenges of our turbulent times. Material Identities Externalising our hidden, internal  workings  and materialising challenges against constrictive stereotypes of gender, race and identity.  BA Jewellery Design: Yayun Fang’s  Hip-Hop Lace  manifests her perspective on the way that traditional craftsmanship can add value to contemporary jewellery design. Rows of bobbin lace arranged in geometrical patterns play with hip-hop jewellery and

Data Entrepreneurs and Artists Offered Residencies at 18th-Century Mansion

Call for Applications: Marchmont House Residency Borders-based tech entrepreneur forms partnerships to support creativity in arts and enterprise in Marchmont’s Creative Spaces A residency in a beautiful studio at Marchmont House and £12,000 in funding is on offer to support an entrepreneur to develop a project using data within the creative industries. It is one of several residencies being offered at the restored 1750 Palladian mansion in Berwickshire which is in the process of creating a suite of Creative Spaces – high quality studios and workshops. Marchmont House has also teamed up with Berwick Creative Guild, the newly established Marchmont Makers

Emerge Competition

Call for Applications: Emerge Competition Zealous set up Emerge in response to the changing nature of the UK’s relationship with Europe. The aim of the competition is to safeguard the creative industries and promote new generations of diverse creative talent from all backgrounds across the UK. Together, let's remind the world that the UK’s creative industries are best in class, worth supporting and open for business. The Competition 12 Emerge prize categories are open to all creative talent residing in the UK. All of the categories will be shortlisted to 15, from which industry judges will select the top 3

Call for Applications: Hothouse - Crafts Council

Hothouse is the Crafts Council’s intensive programme of creative and business development for ambitious and talented emerging makers who have set up their creative practice or craft business in the last three years. Applications close on Monday 5 September 2016.  If you're an ambitious maker who has set up their creative practice or craft business in the last three years, ‪the Crafts Council's Hothouse could be for you. This creative practice and business development programme has transformed the careers of more than 200 emerging makers to date, helping them to establish a strong foundation for their business. Hothouse includes a

Q&A: Gianluca De Girolamo

Gianluca De Girolamo is a hugely experienced photographer who cut his teeth in the photography world in packshot studios taking pictures of branded goods for commercial use. He now has a reputation second to none for advertising and creative moodshots to commercial, editorial, e-commerce and product photography for the fashion and jewellery industries. He was previously the Head Fashion & Creative Photographer at The Packshot Company, where he worked with clients such as Vivienne Westwood, Swarovski and Burberry. He now heads up Adshot, which specialised in creative jewellery photography. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do

The Dover Prize

Call for Applications: The Dover Prize  The Dover Prize is an award open to any UK-based artist. It supports excellence and experimentation in the arts and creative industries. Applications are welcome from artists and creative practitioners working in the visual arts e.g.  painting, sculpture, ceramics, print- making, photography, digital art, film making, performance and installations. This year the Dover Prize comprises: The Dover Award:  A bursary of £10,000 paid across two years, to an individual or collective to provide time to think, research, reflect and/or experiment with new ideas Creative Awards:  Five awards of £1,500 are available for one year

London Fashion Week 2018 - September

London Fashion Week September 2018 – A Celebration Of Culture, Fashion & Art For Everyone London Fashion Week has established itself as one of the most creative and innovative fashion showcases in the world, with its home, London, being one of the most multicultural, vibrant and diverse cities on the planet.   London Fashion Week Festival brings a city-wide celebration throughout the month of September 2018 merging creative institutions, designer businesses and global brands, offering consumer activation in London as a backdrop to London Fashion Week. London Fashion Week Festival opens up the city and celebrates the intersection of the creative industries, from music, art, tech and

New Designers survey reveals entrepreneurial ambition

A survey of the best design graduates from across the UK, exhibiting over the last two weeks at New Designers in London, has revealed significant concerns about the cost of living in London, where traditionally the majority of creative jobs have been harboured, paired with an uncertainly over the impact of Brexit on the creative industries.  Asked about where they intend to work post-graduation, of the 27.5% who intend to set up in London, 79% cite ‘more exciting creative opportunities’ as the reason. However more than 2/3 plan to avoid the capital, with over 1/3 saying that the most significant

Dazera announce first art jewellery competition winners

This September Dazera launched its first competition to reward the artistry of fine jewellers.  “Jewellery is often appreciated most for its fine gemstones and exceptional craftsmanship, but much more rarely for the creative thought that has gone into it, ” explains Dazera founder Domini Hogg.  “The aim of the competition is to highlight the creative talent out there.” This September Dazera launched its first competition to reward the artistry of fine jewellers.  “Jewellery is often appreciated most for its fine gemstones and exceptional craftsmanship, but much more rarely for the creative thought that has gone into it, ” explains Dazera

Flourish Conference

Flourish: A Two Day Conference To Ignite Your Creative Business Ambitions The Talent Development team at Crafts Council brings you leading industry experts so you can share, debate and network; providing you with a vital set of action points and links that will cultivate and shape your creative practice. The event will ignite your creative ambitions by bringing together leading industry experts to help you start, build and sustain a successful business.  Topics will range from practical advice on finance and copyright laws to how you create a strong brand identity and build resilience into your business. The keynote address

Consultancy Engagement, Cockpit Arts

The London Creative Network Programme is an ERDF funded initiative, run by Cockpit Arts, SPACE, Photofusion and Four Corners, with the goal to small creative businesses in the digital image, design, designer making and visual arts sectors to grow. The London Creative Network Programme at Cockpit Arts is a professional development programme designed to help craft makers to enhance their ability to advance their business – whether through new products and services, or new ways of doing things, or both. This includes support to: · Introduce new-to-the practice product ranges or services, or develop a new unique body of work

West Dean College Assists in Microgapping

As Alison Baxter, Head of School of Art at West Dean College commented: “We are aware how popular Microgapping has become and our courses are the perfect way to begin to learn a new skill in a short time. The courses at West Dean are a great opportunity to spend a day, or longer, if time allows to get into the flow of a new creative experience, and who knows it could be the start of a new hobby, or even a new career!” For those who would like to learn a new creative hands-on skill in a short period

Jewellery Studio Space in N1 Hoxton, London

Looking for a Jeweller our workshop in N1 You will be sharing the workshop with two friendly award-winning jewellery designer-makers. The workshop is just off Hoxton street, approximately 400sq feet in size, and offers you a 24hr access. It is located inside a friendly, creative studio complex that you will share with other makers/creative. There is also a private garden available to be accessed by the workshop tenants. Our workshop offers you with: • Bench spaces • Laptop space • Built-in storage and shelving unit • Tools & Machinery (Polishing machine, ultrasonic cleaner, pickle pot, bench drill, etc) • Soldering

Penland Scholarships Summer 2023

Penland Scholarships Summer 2023  Penland School of Craft Penland, North Carolina, USA Penland is an intentionally inclusive and dynamic creative community—a community that values the creative energy that arises from diverse artistic visions and approaches. Penland’s scholarship program exists to make our workshops accessible to those who are not able to participate without financial assistance and to create educational opportunities for people who have been underrepresented at Penland and in the craft world. Scholarships are one way we are pushing back on historic imbalances and barriers. We recently made some changes to reduce barriers in our scholarship application process. The

Getting Started Online 2023

Call for Applications: Getting Started Online Applications are now open for Getting Started Online, the one-week free introduction to business course. Delivered through live webinars from 20th until 24th March 2023, Getting Started Online helps up to 100 creative start-ups to get their businesses in the jewellery and silversmithing industry off the ground. The course enables participants to learn business essentials from industry experts, network with their peers and others in the industry, and exhibit their work. Getting Started Online consists of five industry-specific themed days covering how to start and run a creative business, product development, raising a business

Well FORMed – A new annual art festival for Cornwall

Well FORMed – A new annual art festival for Cornwall Falmouth 29 September to 1 October 2023 After a successful inaugural year in 2022, the directors of FORM have announced the dates for the second visual arts festival in Falmouth, Cornwall from 29 September – 1 October 2023. FORM was conceived to celebrate the contemporary arts and crafts heritage and vibrant creative culture of the area, and to provide a new platform for people at all stages in their creative journey. The highlight of FORM is a free to visit three-day Art Fair at the landmark Princess Pavilion with over

Sarabande Residency 2022 - 2023

Sarabande Residency 2022 - 2023 Deadline Extension As we announce Sarabande High Road, we have been overwhelmed by the influx of applications so far and very excited at what we’ve seen so far. You’ve now got until 15th August to apply for a Sarabande Residency. From artists, designers and makers who are at a pivotal point in their creative career to those who have worked their way into the industry but have yet to strike a fire, the residency provides business and practical advice in its role as a creative business accelerator. Many artists have felt intimidated or ill-prepared to

New Designers 2022 – One Year In

New Designers 2022 – One Year In One Year In, for talented designers launching new creative businesses. Showcasing to the design community the very best emerging creative talent. All OYI exhibitors will take part in the pre-show mentorship programme, getting new businesses market-ready to exhibit at the New Designers exhibition. Expertly curated, exhibitors receive industry guidance to help make their business a success. How to Apply? OYI covers every corner of creativity and we encourage applications from all design disciplines. Exhibiting Fee: £525 + VAT. An independent panel of judges will be selecting the participants for OYI on the following

Contemporary Craft & Design Fair 2021

Contemporary Craft & Design Fair Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh Saturday 5 June - Sunday 6 June 2021 10am - 5pm This summer, Dovecot will showcase 24 designers and makers in its world famous Tapestry Studio, offering visitors the opportunity to support our local creative economy. Taking place in Dovecot’s airy spaces, visitors will be able to safely browse the work of contemporary textiles, homeware, jewellery, beauty and accessories designers including Green Thomas, Anne Watson Jewellery, Emily Millichip and Tessuti Scotland. Committed to showcasing the best in contemporary art, craft, and design, Dovecot is delighted to provide a platform for the creative

The Goldsmiths' Company appoints Annie Warburton as its new Clerk and CEO

Annie Warburton has been announced as the new Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company. Annie becomes the first female Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company in its 700 year history, she has more than 20 years’ experience in creative industries organisations that span the private, public and charity sectors. She will join the Goldsmith’s Company in January 2024. This week the Goldsmiths’ Company announced that Anne-Christina ( Annie ) Warburton, CEO of Cockpit Arts and former Creative Director of The Crafts Council, has been appointed Clerk and CEO of The Goldsmiths’ Company, starting in January 2024.   With

Annie Warburton appointed as new Clerk and CEO at the Goldsmiths' Company

Annie Warburton has been announced as the newly appointed Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company. Annie becomes the first female Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company in its 700 year history, she has more than 20 years’ experience in creative industries organisations that span the private, public and charity sectors. She will join the Goldsmith’s Company in January 2024. This week the Goldsmiths’ Company announced that Anne-Christina ( Annie ) Warburton, CEO of Cockpit Arts and former Creative Director of The Crafts Council, has been appointed Clerk and CEO of The Goldsmiths’ Company, starting in January 2024.  

New Designers: winners of the Goldsmiths’ Company awards announced

New Designers, a platform promoting new creative talent from graduates, has announced the 2020 recipients of the Goldsmiths’ Company awards for jewellery and silversmithing. The winners are jeweller Coco Liang from Birmingham City University and silversmith Yitong Shang from the Glasgow School of Art. This year, the competition was held digitally with students encouraged to submit design ideas online. Centred on the theme of ‘community’, competition submissions needed to be ‘highly creative, thought-provoking, and capable of triggering discussion and debate’. Coco Liang’s ‘CONNECT brooch’ was named the winner of the Goldsmiths’ Company Jewellery Award. Coco commented:  “The brooch was inspired

Cockpit Arts Winter Open Studios 2019 - Deptford

Winter Open Studios 6 – 8 December Cockpit Arts, Deptford Cockpit Arts’ celebrated Winter Open Studios - located in the creative South East London neighbourhood of Deptford and heart of Bloomsbury – brings you the chance to meet and shop directly with over 140 of London’s finest makers during two weekends. This twice-yearly shopping event is the only time Cockpit Arts is open to the public, making this an exclusive chance to meet some of the best craftspeople in London, see where it all happens and support this hub of creative talent. Throwing open the studio doors, it’s the destination

'The Market for Craft' research report published

The Crafts Council and a national partnership of 8 organisations, Arts Council of Wales ,  Contemporary Visual Arts Network ,  Craft Northern Ireland ,  Craft Scotland , Crafts Council,  Creative Scotland ,  Creative United ,  The Goldsmiths’ Company ,  Great Northern Events/Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair , have launched the first report into the consumer market for British craft in over a decade. The main finding that craft sales exceeded £3 billion in 2019 in the Market for Craft Report . The first report to identify and gauge appetite for British craft for over a decade reveals our passion for

One Year In at New Designers 2020

Call for Applications: One Year In at New Designers 2020 1 - 4 July 2020 Business Design Centre Islington, London One Year In, for talented designers launching new creative businesses. Are you a new creative business? Need help kick starting your design practice? Apply for One Year In at New Designers 2020. One Year In presents the year’s most exciting design talent. The pre-show mentorship programme gets your business market-ready to exhibit at the New Designers exhibition. Expertly curated, you’ll receive the guidance and help to make your business a success. One Year In showcases and celebrates design entrepreneurs who

Davina Mallinckrodt Appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cockpit Arts

Davina has been confirmed in the role on 8th April 2021, following her appointment as Chair-Elect in December 2020. She succeeds Cornelius Medvei, who has held the post for the past nine years.  Davina joins Cockpit following a year in which the award-winning social enterprise and leading creative business incubator has successfully supported its 150 strong maker community through the pandemic. In addition to the 40 young creative businesses receiving awards and bursary support, in 2020/21 Cockpit has provided substantially reduced rents to its makers at its two hubs, Cockpit Holborn and Cockpit Deptford and successfully pivoted to digital delivery

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

New Grooves Gallery

New Grooves Gallery Have you channelled your energy into something creative recently? We want to see it!  We are looking for individuals who want to showcase their newfound creativity as part of an online collaborative project.  New Grooves Gallery is a collective with the aim of creating a visual community of people who have found a hidden talent amidst the pandemic. We want to celebrate expression in all its forms, especially by those who may not have previously considered themselves creative. We hope to encourage accessibility into the arts, with the goal of holding a physical exhibition whenever possible. We

INKubator Programme 2020

Call for Applications: INKubator Programme February - October 2020 Glasgow, Scotland A nine month part-time programme to inspire you, transform your creative practice and kick-start your business. Maker led and maker designed with creativity at it's core.  A nine month part-time programme to inspire you, transform your creative practice and kick-start your business. Maker led and maker designed with creativity at it's core. The INKubator is Scotland’s unique Jewellery Business Programme, with the aim of developing emerging talent by providing a supportive and educational environment. A carefully interwoven set of activities, opportunities and a hive of support to generate maximum impact.

Crafting Business 2021

Call for Applications: Crafting Business 2021 Our new creative business development programme for emerging makers (between 1 – 4 years in business). Have you got a business idea you need support with? Do you need help with navigating the complexities of managing your finances? This programme is here to help you. Crafting Business is part of a Creative European funded project to provide business training skills to makers across Europe. Eight countries (including the UK) will be delivering their own respective training programmes in 2021 supporting up to 200 makers. To hear more about this project, follow  this link  to

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Cockpit Arts

Call for Applications: Cockpit Arts Chair of the Board of Trustees Cockpit Arts wishes to appoint a new Chair to our Board of Trustees. We invite applications from individuals experienced in governance and with the commitment, qualities and attributes to effectively lead our award-winning social enterprise supporting craft, design and creative enterprise. Home to over 140 independent creative businesses, Cockpit is London’s leading studios for contemporary craft and the UK’s only business incubator for makers. Over 30 years, we have built an international reputation for quality, integrity and artistic excellence. In 2020 we were once again recognised on the NatWest

New Designers 2019

New Designers 2019 3,000 creative minds under one roof 26 June – 6 July 2019 The next generation of visionary designers will come together at New Designers this summer, launching never-before-seen ideas, products and trends in a two-week celebration of the future of design. New Designers will take place at the Business Design Centre, London from 26 June – 6 July. Bringing together 3,000 of the brightest new creative minds under one roof and representing every area of contemporary design, New Designers is a launch-pad for fresh design talent. Bursting with ambition and radical ideas, these designers and makers have

Pirelli Park Public Art Commission

Public Art Commission: Pirelli Park Public Art Commission Eastleigh Borough Council is inviting tenders from artists and creative design practitioners to develop and deliver an exciting, imaginative and site-specific bespoke play environment for the local community. Tenders are welcomed across the creative disciplines, and collaborative approaches between design practitioners and appropriate delivery partners of their choosing will be welcome. Full details can be found on the South East Business portal  and on the South East Contemporary Visual Arts Network website .  Estimated value: £200,000.00 Image: Pirelli Arch, courtesy Eastleigh Borough Council.

Jewellery Merchandising Workshop with Cory Barrett and Charlie Thomas

Jewellery Merchandising Workshop with Cory Barrett and Charlie Thomas Sarabande Foundation, London 19 November 2019 Without a doubt, a fine piece of jewellery makes ones heart flutter and face gleam in awe. And whilst we cannot deny that the jewellery itself plays a part in inviting such a reaction, the additional, understated elements of merchandising are what make a piece of jewellery truly stunning. Led by Cory Barrett, ex-visual director of Tiffany and now Founder and Creative Director of CBGC Creative Industries Ltd and consultant art director Charlie Thomas, who has worked with many luxury brands, this provoking and informative talk will

Graduate Fashion Week 2020

Graduate Fashion Week 2020 31st May – 3rd June 2020 The Old Truman Brewery, East London Graduate Fashion Week, now in its 29th year, continues to showcase the latest emerging talent to the world, by exhibiting the fashion innovators of tomorrow with an exciting four-day event located in the heart of London’s buzzing creative district, Shoreditch.  On the 31st May – 3rd June 2020 at The Old Truman Brewery in East London, Graduate Fashion Week will present an unrivalled platform for over 3600+ new BA fashion talent, promoting and awarding the freshest upcoming trendsetters in design, creative direction, marketing, communication, photography, illustration

Professional Practice, City Lit

Professional Practice, City Lit City Lit’s advanced professional practice area is now offering a range of one-day workshops, which you can pick and mix to design your own programme of learning. New to Europe's largest adult ed college, these will provide the skills and knowledge you need to take your creative practice further, in the following areas: Technical fundamentals and skills: how to document, archive and present your work at its best. Business and commercial skills: working with clients over a brief; promoting and selling your work; running studio or a creative practice; safeguarding your intellectual property; getting to grips with

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

Cockpit Arts Winter Open Studios 2019 - Holborn

Winter Open Studios 29 November – 1 December Cockpit Arts, Holborn Cockpit Arts’ celebrated Winter Open Studios - located in the creative South East London neighbourhood of Deptford and heart of Bloomsbury – brings you the chance to meet and shop directly with over 140 of London’s finest makers during two weekends. This twice-yearly shopping event is the only time Cockpit Arts is open to the public, making this an exclusive chance to meet some of the best craftspeople in London, see where it all happens and support this hub of creative talent. Throwing open the studio doors, it’s the

Week One New Designers Award Winners Announced

Bursting with ambition and radical ideas, New Designers 2019 unveils incredible new talent set to shape the design world of tomorrow. Over two weeks, and spanning every discipline in modern making, the event presents the work of more than 3,000 hand-picked design talents. Visitors to the show will discover disruptive new thinking, meet the pacesetters, and get a first look at our creative future. The New Designers Awards brings together 1,500 handpicked designers in areas including textiles, fashion and costume, ceramics, contemporary design craft, and jewellery. Awards are presented to those with the most creative and forward-thinking work. Winners are

One Year In 2019 @ New Designers

Call for Applications: One Year In – Deadline 31 January One Year In, for talented designers launching new creative businesses Are you a new creative business? Need help kick starting your design practice? Apply for One Year In at New Designers 2019. One Year In presents the year’s most exciting design talent. The pre-show mentorship programme gets your business market-ready to exhibit at the New Designers exhibition. Expertly curated, you’ll receive the guidance and help to make your business a success. Pre-Show Mentorship Receive business advice and guidance to get you market-ready to exhibit. Exhibitors receive: Business and product development

Appointment: Cockpit Arts appoints Annie Warburton as new CEO

Cockpit Arts had announced the appointment of Annie Warburton as its new CEO.  After five years as Creative Director of the Crafts Council, Annie will join Cockpit in November. “Home to some of the foremost makers and designers in the country, Cockpit Arts is a beacon for making at the heart of the capital. I am thrilled to be joining this award-winning social enterprise with its admirable track record of social impact and business success. With craft in the ascendant but pressures on creative businesses intensifying, its mission has never been more vital. I look forward to working with the

Public Art Commission, Milton Keynes Council

Newton Leys Public Art Commission, Milton Keynes Council Milton Keynes Council, Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council and Newton Leys Commissioning Group wishes to appoint an artist/creative practice to undertake a period of research and development in order to develop a proposal for a permanent public art work for Newton Leys. Artists Proposal We are looking for an artist/creative practice with an excellent track record in developing and delivering public art commissions, which respond to people, place and context. The practitioner/s will be required to explore Newton Leys – its past, present and future; generate ideas, inspire minds and gather

Jewellery Quarter BID sponsors micro Businesses at event

JQ designer makers are preparing to show off their talents at a new event dedicated to uniting makers, builders and inventors from around the world. A collective of talented designer makers from the Jewellery Quarter are set to exhibit at a brand new international show at the NEC next month. Anticipated to be one of the biggest creative events of the year, Makers Central brings together makers, customers, suppliers and hobbyists to share ideas, products, techniques and tools. To promote the vibrant, creative maker community that exists in the area, the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) is sponsoring a

Call for Applications: One Year On 2018

Call for Applications: One Year On 2018 One Year On for talented designers launching new creative businesses Are you a new creative business? Need help kick starting your design practice? Apply for One Year On at New Designers 2018. One Year On presents the year’s most exciting design talent. The pre-show mentorship programme gets your business market-ready to exhibit at the New Designers exhibition. Expertly curated by industry buyer, business-owner and designer Rheanna Lingham, you’ll receive the guidance and help to make your business a success. Application Deadline 31st January 2018 To Apply www.newdesigners.com/oneyearon2018

The Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation The foundation is one of the largest independent foundations that provide grants in the UK. Approximately 75 per cent of its Arts & Heritage grants budget go to the arts and 25 per cent to heritage projects.  Art with a social impact Eligibility The Foundation supports wok that Uses a creative approach to address difficult social or environmental issues, or Builds engagement with culture in areas where there is low provision. Applicant must Offer both artistic excellence and long-term social impact, and Put people at the centre of the creative process, and have a defined pathway of

Dazera Exhibition

Dazera Exhibition One of London’s best kept artistic secrets, The Exhibitionist Hotel in South Kensington, will once more host the Dazera exhibition for creative fine jewellery this year on 30 November to 2 December. Founded by jewellery designer Domini Hogg, Dazera is dedicated to raising the profiles of emerging artists and creative designers working with precious stones and materials. According to Domini the vibrancy of the hotel’s ever-changing artwork is what initially attracted her to exhibit there. “It is important for original jewellery to be seen within an artistic context rather than in the sterile environment of most shops. The

Call for Applications Hothouse 2019

Call for Applications: Hothouse 2019 Crafts Council  Applications are now open for Hothouse, a programme of creative and business development, which provides talented new makers with the tools to grow a sustainable and successful creative business. The deadline for applications is 7 September 2018 and the programme starts in Jaunary 2019. Hothouse is unique in being a nationally recruiting programme which takes place at a series of leading centres of craft activity around the country, maximising opportunities for you to broaden horizons and build diverse networks. This national outlook is balanced with a personalised approach to learning. The workshop and

Make Your Mark Judge Adam Phillips Keen To View Entries

A legal requirement to sell precious metal, the hallmark needn’t simply be regarded as a required stamp to be hidden from the wearer. Adam Phillips, account manager at The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, London, and judge of this year’s Make Your Mark Awards, encourages makers to get creative with their hallmarking to make a real impact.   How creative can makers be with the positioning of a hallmark? "While the hallmark is regarded as the oldest form of consumer protection, it can also be used creatively as a marketing tool. Not only does it provide provenance, but it can also

A Taste of Cockpit Arts

A Taste of Cockpit Arts Are you a maker interested in applying for a studio at Cockpit Arts? Cockpit Arts is holding its second informal evening for makers interested in applying for a place at its studios in central and south London. If you’re looking to grow your business and creative practice, whether as artist-maker or batch producer, come along and find out more. During the evening you’ll have the chance to see inside the studios and meet some of the Cockpit Arts team and talented makers. You’ll find out about the many benefits of being part of Cockpit Arts’ unique creative

Three IJL Editors' Choice Pre-Show Winners Announced

The winners of IJL’s very popular and highly regarded exhibitor Editors’ Choice Awards have been announced this week; designer Isabella Liu, The Rock Hound, and Franco Florenzi. Re-launched this year with an exciting new format and inspirational new categories to reflect the breadth of creative flair and innovative design talent at the show, the pre-show winners have been selected by the two judges, Claire Adler, luxury communications consultant and Financial Times contributor and Event Director, Sam Willoughby. Sam Willoughby comments: “These three winning collections really do showcase the best in creative originality, technical finesse and commercial know-how.  Created by a designer,

New Online Jewellery Platform ‘Vimanas’ Simplifies Selling Jewellery Online

Earn revenue from creative designs with ease using the brand new  Vimanas  platform for unique and innovative jewellery creators.  The  Vimanas  platform will allow people to shop, customise, design, and sell what they create using the one-of-a-kind online jewellery platform. Offering the greatest range of customisation options giving individuals creative freedom to truly express themselves with their jewellery, they make this possible with impressive user-friendly online tools and 3D printing techniques. Any budding jewellery designer will know all too well the potential hassle – not to mention expense – of getting their designs in the public domain and shipped for

Rural Business Awards 2017

Call for Applications: All rurally-based creators, designers and media experts Rural Business Awards 2017 Rurally-based creative and media companies from across Britain are being invited to get their entries in for an awards scheme designed specifically for the countryside sector. Now in their third year, the Rural Business Awards (RBAs) are the only UK-wide business awards for rural enterprises. They are sponsored by Janine Edwards Wealth Management Ltd, Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, and operate in partnership with the CLA. The RBAs are split into 13 categories including Best Rural Creative or Media based Business – along

Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards

The Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) are a programme of small grants schemes with a range of local authorities and art agencies across Scotland to support visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development. Funding for Makers Established by Creative Scotland, these partnerships give support at a local level and work with local panels to offer funds to support practitioners at all stages of their career who have demonstrated a commitment to their work and in developing their practice through new work, new skills or new opportunities. Grants Awards of between £500 and £1,500 are available. Many of the VACMA schemes

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

Public Art Commission: Western Expansion Area - Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Council and Gallagher Estates are looking to appoint an artist/creative practice to develop a proposal for a significant public realm commission, which explores and celebrates the heritage and future of the Western Expansion Area (WEA) – the largest development site in Milton Keynes. We are looking for an artist/creative practice with an excellent track record of working within the public realm and whose practice is directly engaged with place making. It is envisaged that the commission will address two intrinsically linked strands of place making which include: ‘way finding’ - the scheme should encourage an exploration and navigation

Etsy Heroes: Win £1000 in time for Christmas

You could win £1000 (to spend on absolutely anything you like) when you start selling on Etsy here using the code ETSYHEROES by 30 November 2016 It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas! An exciting time for designer-makers as you prepare for gift buying mania. Why not seize the opportunity to sell your creations on Etsy, just in time for the festive period? ‘Tis the season for creative entrepreneurs and one lucky new Etsy seller will win a £1000 business grant to help them on their way. To help you get started , four creative bloggers met their ‘Etsy

Craft Central Winter Market

Winter Market Lonfon E14 18 November - 19 November 2023 Join us at Craft Central for our Winter Market. Kick off your Christmas shopping and buy handcrafted gifts from our creative network of designer-makers! Free Entry Buy handcrafted gifts from our talented creative network of designer-makers! Products ranging from home accessories, fashion, and jewellery to ceramics, stationery, prints, textiles and more will be on offer. Take part in family-friendly drop-in or bookable workshops. Visit our Japanese pop-up Café for hot drinks and fun baked goods. Workshops Funky Jewellery Making - Saturday 18 November 12.00 - 4.00pm - More information HERE Festive

ACID Turns 25 – Ai And Intellectual Property Minister Joins Recent Celebrations In The City Of London

A galaxy of “IP and design heavyweights” including the IP Minister, Creative Industries Co Chair, Sir Peter Bazalgette, Design Council CEO and iconic designer, Professor Sebastian Conran joined ACID recently to celebrate reaching twenty-five years since the organisation was founded.   At a landmark event formally celebrating Anti Copying in Design’s (ACID) twenty-five years since it was founded, many from the world of IP and design were present to welcome the Minister for Intellectual Property and AI, Viscount Camrose, Creative Industries Co-Chair, Sir Peter Bazalgette, Iconic designer Sebastian Conran, Design Council CEO Minnie Moll and ACID’s Chief Counsel Nick Kounoupias, who

FORGE: Panel Discussion. Enriching Lives through Creativity: The Power of Makerspaces

Panel Discussion: Enriching Lives through Creativity: The Power of Makerspaces   Join us for an illuminating discussion on the transformative power of Makerspaces. Led by industry experts from FORGE, The Kiln Rooms, Makerversity, BLOQs and chaired by the Crafts Council Executive Director, Natalie Melton, this will be a lively debate exploring the positive impact of these spaces in shaping the future of our creative industries. Tuesday 14 May 6pm - 8.30pm £15 More details & book  here

Community Engagement Opportunity

Community Engagement Opportunity,  Riverside Park, Andover, Test Valley Borough Council Test Valley Borough Council are looking for a Hampshire based arts organisation that can help us work with our residents and stakeholders in a programme of community engagement. The organisation will creatively gather views and opinions about existing artwork and ideas for two new public art commissions. We are interested to find out what this will look like and how we will deliver it. Full details are on the creative brief attached on this page. www.testvalley.gov.uk Brief: www.testvalley.gov.uk

Hothouse 2020

Call for Applications: Hothouse 2020 Hothouse: Supporting new makers Hothouse is the Crafts Council’s programme of creative and business support. It’s for ambitious and talented new makers. Have you set up your craft business or practice in the last 4 years? Hothouse provides you with the tools to grow a sustainable and successful business when you need them most – at the start of your career. Applications close Monday 9 September 2019. For more information and to apply online visit: www.craftscouncil.org.uk/hothouse

Solo Exhibition Space at Fisherton Mill, Salisbury

Exhibition Space at Fisherton Mill, Salisbury Fisherton Mill has only three exhibition slots left for 2021 - available for artists looking to exhibit, both solo and group applications are welcome. If you'd like to get your work up on the walls in the Main Gallery email  admin@fishertonmill.co.uk With our fab cafe on the ground floor and the exciting Gallery shop alongside, as well as all the other creative studios,  Fisherton Mill really is a great location in which to expand a business. fishertonmill.co.uk

Artist in Residence - School of Jewellery

Call for Applications: School of Jewellery Artist in Residence Scheme 2019-2020 This is a fantastic opportunity to develop new work and technical skills in a creative environment, working collaboratively within the Artist in Residence team. You will have an opportunity to exhibit your work in Vittoria Street gallery, and engage with the vibrant and rich community in the School. The residency scheme offer you access to facilities from September 2019 to August 2020 for no charge in exchange for student support one day per week. You will be expected to commit at least 2 to 3 days a week and

Crafts Council - Makers Needs Survey 2019

Crafts Council - Makers Needs Survey 2019 The Crafts Council look to support artists, makers and designers through their business development needs of their creative practices.  Tell them how they can support you by completing this survey (link below). Your opinions help shape the Ctafts Council services.  The first 20 surveys completed will receive a complimentary ticket to Collect: Crafts Council’s International fair of Contemporary Objects at Saatchi Gallery in February 2019. www.surveymonkey.co.uk

Call for Participants: Pass it Along Project

Call for Participants: Pass it Along Project New year; new inspiration? The applications to join in the 2018 edition of the Pass It Along Project / Challenge are now open - for any jewellery makers that are looking for a fresh challenge for the new year... The Pass it Along Project is an international collaboration challenge for jewellers - think of the kids games 'Pass the Parcel' or 'Chinese Whispers' but with jewellers instead. Designed as a personal creative challenge for those involved, each jeweller starts work on a piece of jewellery, but then passes it along to another jeweller

VIA Arts Prize

Call for Application: VIA Arts Prize The Visual Ibero-American Arts Prize is dedicated to supporting UK-based artists of any nationality in the production of cross-cultural artworks, giving them the incentive to develop their creative ideas, based on a theme, and contributing to their personal and professional growth. It also encourages them to engage with and take inspiration from Ibero-American art and cultures, through a process of intercultural exchange. It will be an opportunity for the artists to exhibit their work at a prestigious and highly visible space in the heart of London and to have their profile raised through media

Town Centre Artist Commission

Town Centre Artist Commission, HOME Slough HOME Slough wants to animate the town centre with one or more artist commissions that will connect and express Slough’s people and inspire a sense of pride in the town. The outcome may be a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary artwork/installation/event. The commission will engage with the town centre environment and test its potential as a destination for arts and culture activity. It will involve local people in its creative development and reach new audiences for the arts. It will encourage local thinking on the future on the town centre environment at a time of

Experimental Casting Course, Cockpit Arts - Holborn, London

During this course you will explore and experiment with different casting processes and use them in an unconventional way. Traditional techniques like sand, water, ice and cuttlefish casting will be taught and used as the starting point of your creative journey. Through casting into different media, you will be encouraged to ‘cast outside the box’ and take the process literally outside the studio, to cast into gaps, cracks and other items in the street. We will be using different metals such as pewter, silver and bismuth. You will explore the possibilities of the different techniques and metals and find out

Experimental Setting Course, Cockpit Arts - Holborn, London

In this course you will have the possibility to explore and experiment with different setting techniques and find new ways to use them in an unconventional way. The course will focus on different projects: Trapping stones in liquid metal Using uncommon materials for jewellery making and setting Setting found objects and small valuable treasures You will be encouraged to look for a various ways of how to set stones and objects and explore the possibilities of embracing them in alternative ways and methods. The creative journey is as important as the final outcome and the course aims to provide you

Glasgow School of Art

The  Glasgow School of Art  is internationally recognised as one of Europe's leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines – a reputation grounded in the international impact and standing of our academic staff, our international student community drawn from over 80 countries Undergraduate: Silversmithing & Jewellery BA (Hons) www.gsa.ac.uk

National Festival of Making 2017

A new kind of festival for a new age of making The first National Festival of Making will take place in Blackburn, Lancashire on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May, 2017. This is an opportunity to see, make and do for residents and visitors to Blackburn town centre as The Festival of Making takes over the streets with music, markets, street food, art, performance, tours, talks and above all, an eclectic mix of making experiences for everyone. With twice the national average of people employed in the manufacturing industry, and a community of talented and creative makers working from homes

Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, Gray’s School of Art

Scotland's  Gray's School of Art  is located on our inspiring parkland campus along the banks of the River Dee on the southern edge of the city of  Aberdeen . Gray's is a highly challenging and stimulating place to develop and refine your creative education.  Undergraduate: Three Dimensional Design (Ceramics, Glass and Jewellery) - BA (Hons) www.rgu.ac.uk

Artist in Residence, House of Commons

House of Commons Artist in Residence, House of Commons The Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art seeks to commission a UK-based creative practitioner to undertake a residency to create six new works, through participatory community workshops, relating to the development of race discrimination legislation. These works will be displayed during October/November 2018 within the participating local communities, and early in 2019 in the Houses of Parliament.  At the end of the residency the practitioner will have the opportunity to develop a proposal for a piece of art suitable for permanent display in Parliament and acquisition into the Parliamentary Art

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art

Edinburgh College of Art  ( ECA ) is an art, design, creative and performing arts school in Edinburgh, the oldest and largest in Scotland, providing higher education in art and design, architecture, history of art and music disciplines for over two thousand  University of Edinburgh  students.  Undergraduate: Jewellery & Silversmithing – BA (Hons) www.eca.ed.ac.uk BA Jewellery & Silversmithing www.ed.ac.uk Postgraduate: Jewellery – MA www.ed.ac.uk

The Angel Christmas Fair, Candid Arts Trust - London

The Angel Christmas Fair is an annual affordable art and design fair featuring the work of various artists and designers. The event will take place in December 2016 and will comprise all creative disciplines; painting, photography, illustration, fashion, textiles, jewellery, glass, ceramics and furniture. Dates: Saturday 3rd December – Sunday 4th December Times: 11.00am – 6.00pm Venue:  Candid Arts Trust, 3 Torrens Street, London EC1V 1NQ www.candidarts.com

School of Jewellery Artist in Residence Opportunity

School of Jewellery Artist in Residence Opportunity 2017 The School of Jewellery is pleased to announce that applications to the Artist in Residence (AiR) mentoring scheme scheduled for September 2017 to August 2018 is now open. About the Residency The position offers space and facilities in exchange for student support one day per week. You will be given access to bench space and the School’s outstanding facilities for the duration of the residency, for which there is no charge. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop new work and technical skills in a creative environment, through collaboration with the Artist

Call for Applications: Chair of Material and Design Innovation

Call for Applications: Chair of Material and Design Innovation Applications are invited for the position of Chair of Material and Design Innovation, University of Edinburgh. We are seeking to appoint an outstanding designer/maker to the post. The major remit of the role is to provide outward-facing strategic leadership in making and innovation by supporting the University’s strategic themes: influencing globally; contributing locally, maintaining and creating partnerships with creative industries. There will also be a requirement to be involved with enhancing learning and teaching initiatives within the School of Design and ECA more generally. Person Specification You will have a specialism

Artists International Development Fund

The Arts Council England's Artists International Development Fund offers funding for artists to develop links with artists, organisations and/or creative producers in other countries. Freelance and self-employed artists working in combined arts, literature, music, theatre, dance, visual arts and crafts and design can apply for grants of £1,000-£5,000 to spend time building these links to open their work to other perspectives. Deadline: 26 October 2016 www.artscouncil.org.uk

News Edit: 6 November 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Will Evans: The testing times for UK jewellery hallmarking FT: Goldsmiths’ assay office general manager on the challenges of doing business in a post-Brexit, post-Covid market. www.ft.com Jeweller Janice Derrick looks back to move forward News Day: After 25 years in the business, jeweller Janice Derrick still has a passion for metalworking. newsday.co.tt Indian Luxury Designer Brands Making Waves At PAD London Solitaire International: Two of India’s most creative and exciting luxury jewellery designer brands, Jewels by Moksh and Neha Dani, were in the spotlight at PAD London

UK Ethical Gem Fair

UK Ethical Gem Fair Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th January FORGE, 59 Leather Lane, London, EC1N 7TJ On Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th January, Nineteen48 is joining with Fair Trade Gemstones and Gemstones Brazil to host our first ethical gem fair of 2023 at FORGE, the brand-new creative hub and retail space in Hatton Garden, London. The event will run from 10am to 5pm on both days. It's free to attend, but please email us to register in advance, so that we know you're coming. Kathy Chappell (Fair Trade Gemstones) -  kathy@fairtrade-gemstone.com Stuart Pool (Nineteen48) -  stuart@nineteen48.com Maira Toledo (Gemstones

StartUp at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey, 9 - 11 June 2023

Call For Entries: StartUp at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey 11-9 June 2023 A dedicated pavilion at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey for makers who have been in business for 2 years or less (started trading since January 2021). Our aim is to support fledgling careers and to encourage and promote the latest creative talent. Stands in the  StartUP  section are offered at a much reduced rate to Craft Festival's stands and create an outstanding opportunity for businesses of two year or less. Your business must have started since January 2021 for you to be eligible to apply for StartUP. For full

Jewellery Showcase - Central St Martins 2024

BA Jewellery Design Showcase - Central St Martins 12 - 16 June 2024 1 Granary Square, London  The future: now arriving Join Central St Martins at Granary Square as their students share their work across art, design and performance, and enter the world as forces of transformative creative change. 12 - 15 June, 12 - 8pm 16 June, 12 - 6pm Exhibiting courses BA Architecture BA Ceramic Design BA Culture, Criticism and Curation BA Fashion BA Fine Art BA Graphic Communication Design BA Jewellery Design BA Performance Design and Practice BA Product and Industrial Design BA Textile Design Grad Dip

Trove: fine jewellers from the Goldsmiths’ Centre exhibit at Fortnum & Mason

Trove: fine jewellers from the Goldsmiths’ Centre exhibit at Fortnum & Mason From 30th March until 12 June 2023, the fine jewellery collective Trove, representing eight goldsmiths from the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London, will be showcasing their high-quality artisanal designs in the iconic Fortnum & Mason jewellery showroom. Their inspirations span the globe, from the natural world to pop art, family heritage to glitched technologies. All of their jewellery businesses are based at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, an educational charity and creative hub, close to Farringdon and London’s famous jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden. Charlotte Dew, Public Programme Manager explains: “ The

Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards 2023

Call for Applications: Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards Founded in 1908, The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council is an organisation that promotes the highest standards in design and craftsmanship   within the jewellery, goldsmithing, silversmithing industry and allied crafts. The annual design competition, known as the ‘ Jewellery Oscars ’ , rewards excellence in technical skills and creative design in precious metals and related materials from ‘ apprentices to masters ’ and is highly respected within the industry. Entries are invited and actively encouraged in all aspects of the trade, from new entrants to skilled craftsmen, apprentices and from education.

Pearls - A Practical Guide ​by Wendy Graham

Pearls - A Practical Guide by Wendy Graham Pearls are one of the oldest precious gemstones.  They have been revered through history and the best reserved to adorn royalty and their favourites.  Now, with the arrival of freshwater pearls, they are available to suit every pocket and every style, from the classic to the most creative.   Includes a guide to the types of pearl and to the farming process.  Gives advice on buying pearls; what to look for and what to avoid.  Gives instruction on working with pearls, including drilling, setting and knotting.  Finally, there is information on South Sea,

News Edit: 26 May 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... Jeweller Shaun Leane has gone back to the source FT: The London maker has moved to a tiny cottage in Killarney. It’s unleashed a new creative force. www.ft.com The stories and secrets behind history's most fascinating jewels FT: A new podcast series offers an insightful perspective on treasures through time. www.ft.com Royal Mint launches solid-gold debit card Yahoo: The Royal Mint on Friday announced that it will begin production of a solid-gold debit card that will be offered to customers who sign up to its new Raris financial account.

Jeweller looking for bench or business work opportunities

Jeweller looking for bench or business work opportunities Dublin based Jeweller with experience across the Gem & Jewellery industry in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Seeking remote freelance work and/ or employment in Dublin to develop Goldsmith skills.  Hardworking, adaptable and reliable. Approaches work with a hands on attitude, environmentally conscious mindset and cross cultural appreciation and understanding. Highly detail oriented and thrives in a creative environment Qualifications  Certificate in Traditional Jewellery and Goldsmith skills, The School of Jewellery Ireland 2021 (1 year course Sept 2020-2021) Gemmology Foundation & Diploma (FGA), Gem-A London (2013 - 2015) Business Management Degree Experience

Experimental Casting Course with K2 Academy of Jewellery

Experimental Casting 23 - 25 October 2022 During this course you will explore and experiment with different casting processes and use them in an unconventional way. Traditional techniques like sand, water, ice and cuttlefish casting will be taught and used as the starting point of your creative journey. Through casting onto different materials, you will be encouraged to ‘cast outside the box’ and take the process literally outside the studio, to cast into gaps, cracks and other items in the street. You will be using different metals such as pewter, silver and bismuth. You will explore the possibilities of the

News Edit: 10 September 2023

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news...   From Meghan Markle To Serena Williams, How Shiffon’s Tennis Ring Became An A-List Favourite Vogue: There’s no doubt that jewellery has the power to send a strong message, from the Princess of Wales wearing heirloom pieces that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, to outspoken environmentalist Emma Watson opting for lab-grown diamonds. www.vogue.co.uk How did a 150-year-old jewellery brand become a pioneer in social and ethical responsibility? Shanya Amarasuriya shares The Honeycombers: Meet Shanya Amarasuriya, the creative force behind B.P. de Silva Jewellers, a 150-year-old family business that's not

A launch weekend fit for a silversmith

Last weekend Benchpeg spent a long weekend 'At Home with Silver' hosted by the The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) and Marchmont House. The Friday through to Sunday event, located an hour south of Edinburgh near Duns in the Scottish Borders, brought together 82 guests on the Saturday Open Day launch from across the UK and internationally to the Marchmont Estate. Together the collective gathered to celebrate the opening of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop - a brand new fully equipped workspace for silversmiths, developed by the SGT in partnership with Marchmont Creative Spaces.  Present at the event were practising silversmiths, curators,

The Wheel of Time, Wallace Chan at Christie’s

The largest exhibition of Chan’s work in Europe - five decades of art creation Christie’s, King Street, London 4 - 10 September 2023 Featuring one of the largest cut black diamonds in the world "In the blink of an eye, half a century has flown by. I am humbled by the opportunity to present my largest exhibition in Europe at Christie's in London. My heartfelt thanks go to Christie's for supporting my creative journey throughout the years and across the globe. I am also grateful to my long term collectors for loaning the pieces, without their friendship the exhibition would not

From Inspiration to Innovation Breakfast Event

From Inspiration To Innovation Breakfast! A Jewellery Collective Event 8 -10am, Thursday 19th September Hatton Garden, London Complimentary Breakfast From Inspiration to Innovation Breakfast Event ! This event is brought to you in partnership with Hatton Garden BID A captivating keynote and panel discussion featuring leading figures from the world of jewellery. Come and gain insights, get inspired, and discover how to transform your creative vision into reality. Co Founder of Dower & Hall Dan Dower has 40 + years experience at the bench, design desk and latterly the computer doing 3D design. Always learning, experimenting and practicing his skills,

Queens Platinum Jubilee Commission

Queens Platinum Jubilee Commission, The Lord-Lieutentant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth & Collective The Lord-Lieutentant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth and a collective of local business leaders and cultural professionals have come together to commission a new artwork which celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We wish to commemorate both her majesty’s relationship with Lancashire and her service to the nation in a new artwork that connects with and expresses the respect of the industrious, creative and diverse communities that live and work here. We are looking for an artist or collective with roots in Lancashire*, to propose an imaginative new artwork that

London Craft Week 2024

London Craft Week 2024 London Wide 13–19 May 2024 London Craft Week is a city-wide festival celebrating exceptional craftsmanship, across multiple sectors and disciplines, from around the world. Through our curated programme of events, we shine a light on the creative talent behind some of the world’s most beautiful objects, telling stories of their inspiration, process and materials. 2024 will be the tenth anniversary edition of London Craft Week. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has grown significantly in scale and prominence with nearly quarter of a million visitors enjoying the work of more than 700 makers at events

Jewellery Illustration Workshop with Elena Shkvarkina

  Jewellery Illustration Workshop with Elena Shkvarkina K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery 2-day Workshop 21-22 May 2022 This course is designed to challenge your creative thinking and enhance your jewellery practise with new artistic expression. About the course Palimpsest Ink Drawing is the art of superimposed ink layers.  Elena Shkvarkina developed this technique searching for an art practice that would allow experimentation beyond traditional art aesthetics, and encourage self-expression regardless of skills or prior painting experience.  Thanks to its experimental nature, Palimpsest Ink Drawing welcomes improvisation and miss-marking. The layered application creates a memoir of your drawing where you can

‘Making Connections’ Lecture by Corinne Julius

K2 Presents: ‘Making Connections’ Lecture by Corinne Julius K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery Education Space at Cockpit, Holborn Monday, 7th March 2022, 6pm - 8pm No matter how creative a jeweller you are, no matter how exciting your designs, unless you can reach your market, that jewellery will not be in conversation with wearers and observers. It’s never easy to sell your own work, which to some degree means selling yourself. Covid and lockdown has made that harder and for many face to face communication has become unbearably difficult. To help, the journalist, critic and curator Corinne Julius will discuss

News Edit: 26 February 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   30 Jewellery Companies to Watch in 2022 Techround: With the effects of the pandemic still prevalent for many businesses and startups, the team at TechRound thought it was important to recognise those in the fashion industry creating beautiful, unique and timeless products during February with the month being internationally renowned for fashion. techround.co.uk Jiamini’s powerful jewellery pieces celebrate the strength of Kenyan women Wallpaper: Jennifer Mulli, creative director and founder of Jiamini, brings a modern take to Kenyan artisanal jewellery. www.wallpaper.com Bold in gold: the ‘knuckle-duster’ rings that

Benches Available at the Forge

Benches Available New Hatton Garden Jewellery Hub! Get in touch to book a viewing FORGE is a multi-purpose creative hub & retail outlet with a focus on jewellery making. We connect skilled artisans & discerning consumers sharing an appreciation for creativity, craft & unique design. Join our FORGE CLUB for access to bench space and equipment, meeting pod industry advice, promotional opportunities as well as other member perks. We’re offering different Membership & Packages to help support you wherever you are on your career journey - from annual memberships with your own dedicated bench space, to flexible packages giving you

From Inspiration to Innovation: The Jewellery Collective collaborates with the Hatton Garden BID on panel talk breakfast event for London Design Festival

The Jewellery Collective  – a community-driven members’ association founded on a vision of knowledge-sharing, inspiration and opportunity – has collaborated with the Hatton Garden Business Improvement District (BID) to host an event during London Design Festival. Held in Hatton Garden on Thursday 19 September, From Inspiration to Innovation will platform a sparkling selection of jewellery designers, craftspeople and creative consultants. Over breakfast, these individuals will unpack the jewellery design process for an audience of jewellery and fashion enthusiasts seeking inspiration and practical knowledge of their own. Dan Dower - designer, craftsman and co-founder of award-winning jewellery brand Dower & Hall

News Edit: 3rd March 2023

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   The wild new era of high-end men’s jewellery GQ Magazine: The freaky fashion wave has come for the upper echelons of men’s jewellery, replacing staid chains and signets with exuberant, opulent hardware. And guys are buying in – at outlandish prices – like never before. www.gq-magazine.co.uk LFW: 5 standout presentations for AW23 Fashion United: When it comes to fashion week, a catwalk format isn’t right for all designers, and a presentation can allow them to display their collection in a more intimate and creative setting. fashionunited.uk Grace Notes:

Artist Commission, Lakeland Arts

Artist Commission, Lakeland Arts Are you a creative practitioner or artist living in, working in or from Cumbria? We need you to explore the themes of class and Covid in Cumbria as part of our Winter 2021 programming at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house. In partnership with The Currell Collection, Class, Covid and Cumbria (22 October 2021–27 February 2022) brings together important work by Grayson Perry, photography by local legend Joseph Hardman, and works by community groups through the Lakeland Arts MEND project, to explore Cumbrian experiences of the pandemic. This dynamic programme of displays, events and community

All Cleared Out - The Jewellery Museum Extends an Invitation

All Cleared Out - The Jewellery Museum Extends an Invitation 5 July through 29 September 2024 The Votes Are Being Cast  – Visitors‘ Choices Hand-selected – by Sam Tho Duong Within in the context of »Ornamenta Pleasure« (Ornamenta Lust) and concurrent with ORNAMENTA 2024 in Pforzheim and the Northern Black Forest region, Pforzheim’s Jewellery Museum hosts a number of participative activities in dialogue with its Historical and Modern collections. It showcases individual positions of contemporary jewellery artists and students, as well as all those who are interested, and gives them an opportunity to participate in discussions and to share creative ideas.

Birmingham City University win at New Designers

An aspiring  jeweller from Birmingham City University is one step closer to her dream career after being crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ at the prestigious New Designers showcase last week.   An aspiring  jeweller from Birmingham City University is one step closer to her dream career after being crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ at the prestigious New Designers showcase this week.       Augusta Lazenb y, a final-year Design for Industry student, is just one of the five BCU Jewellery students recognised for their exceptional creative work at the showcase.    Her 10-piece ring collection won plaudits from the

British Hallmarking Council’s Touchstone and HALO Awards championing Hallmarking Enforcement and Education

The HALO (Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online) Award 2024 was launched by the  British Hallmarking Council  in early June. This is the third year of the award which has gathered considerable momentum with many entrants demonstrating extremely creative and novel ways to interest customers in hallmarks. Online Jewellers are encouraged to describe items accurately and remind customers of the importance reassurance provided by hallmarks when buying online, particularly from unknown sources. The HALO Award therefore promotes Educating consumers   about Hallmarks. Meanwhile the Touchstone Award, also sponsored by the British Hallmarking Council, encourages Trading Standards Authorities to identify and take action

News Edit: 11 August 2024

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... LVMH is premium partner of The Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024 LVMH reports: A creative partnership making LVMH the Artisan of All Victories !  www.lvmh.com LVMH unveils medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024: gold…silver…bronze…, and above all, Paris LVMH reports: In the heart of 12, place Vendôme, the emblematic hôtel particulier that is home to the Chaumet jewelry workshop, LVMH presented the medals designed and crafted to reward winning athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. www.lvmh.com Paris Olympics 2024: Medals made from

Campaigners invite public to Unwrap Art from Scotland’s artists and makers this Christmas

Public invited to buy unique gifts and creative experiences from Scotland’s artists and galleries this Christmas. Scottish Contemporary Art Network’s (SCAN) Unwrap Art campaign will encourage Christmas shoppers to buy handmade, unique and sustainable gifts from artists’ workshops, gallery stores, seasonal markets, and artists’ websites. A drive has been launched today to encourage shoppers to discover amazing work by Scotland’s artists and makers when they are searching for Christmas gifts. The Unwrap Art campaign is run by SCAN (the Scottish Contemporary Art Network) to connect the public with galleries, artists, shops, workshops, and websites where they can find gifts that

A History of Coronation Dress and Jewels

Talk: Ceremony And Splendour A History Of Coronation Dress And Jewels Clothworrkes’ Hall, London Monday, 6th March 2023 The Creative Dimension Trust (TCDT) will host a talk on coronations in the elegant surroundings of Clothworrkes’ Hall on Monday 6th March, with Caroline de Guitaut, Deputy Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art 100% of the proceeds will go towards TCDT's fully funded workshops, taught by craft specialists, for 14-19-year-olds who wish to develop their hand skills.  Focussing on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the lecture will explore the origins, design and evolution of Coronation dress and jewels – from richly embroidered fashionable

Cockpit Makers Market - Bloomsbury

Cockpit Makers Market - Bloomsbury 25 - 27 November 2022 Home to over 150 makers, Cockpit is a hotspot for discovering creative talent. Cockpit Makers’ Market is a unique opportunity to meet and buy direct from the makers’ own studios and source one-of-a-kind gifts that are truly locally-produced. From collectible artworks and fine jewellery to readily affordable stocking fillers, Cockpit Makers’ Market offers gifts for a wide range of budgets; smashing any preconception that high-end craft is just for those with deep pockets. Cockpit Bloomsbury Cockpit Yard Northington Street London WC1N 2NP cockpitstudios.org

News Edit: 21 August 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Plans mooted for Jewellery Quarter incubator The Business Desk: The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) has commissioned research and an options appraisal for a potential Jewellery Quarter Incubator to support growth of the jewellery and other creative industries in the area. www.thebusinessdesk.com Watch: Thandie Dowery shares inspiration behind jewellery brand Nomi Handmade Biz Community: Local designer Thandie Dowery credits her mother as the driving force that inspired her to launch her successful jewellery brand Nomi Handmade in 2015. www.bizcommunity.com Jewellery Maker Pandora Goes Big on Lab-Made Diamonds With

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

CLOSING SOON! Apply for StartUP at Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey

CLOSING SOON! Apply for  StartUP at Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey A dedicated pavilion at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey for makers who have been in business for 2 years or less (started trading since January 2020). Our aim is to support fledgling careers and to encourage and promote the latest creative talent. Stands in the  StartUP  section are offered at a much reduced rate to Craft Festival's stands and create an outstanding opportunity for businesses of two year or less. You make ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, metal, wood, plastics, mixed media, leather, recycled materials, printmaking and paper. You are resident anywhere

GSA Silversmithing and Jewellery students unveil lockdown collections

Final year Silversmithing & Jewellery graduating students at The Glasgow School of Art have unveiled collections conceived and made during lockdown in Graduate Showcase 2021. They are among over 500 graduating students from the acclaimed art school to be showing work on the specially-designed digital platform. For many of the young designers the time of isolation and their lockdown locations have created the starting point for the creative process, with re-engagement with nature emerging as a major theme Ellen Kynoch’s  Intangible Mass  explores themes of isolation, emotional decay, and the fragility of our minds during a long period of quarantine,

Opening of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop

Opening of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop Join The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust in partnership with Marchmont Creative Spaces as we launch a new home for silversmithing in the Scottish Borders: The Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop. Day Programme To celebrate the opening of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop, The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust has created a day programme for everyone from curators to collectors, and industry experts to those passionate about traditional craft. The day will include the formal opening of the workshop, talks, panel discussion and silversmithing demonstrations. Speakers will include Lisa Koenigsberg, President of Initiatives in Art and Culture based in New York

SoLo Craft Fair Opportunities

SoLo Craft Fair Opportunities 2024 SoLo Craft Fair is a South London-based organisation run by makers for makers. The company organises craft markets across South London, collaborating with other events such as Winterville & Between the Bridges. In 2021, they launched their first shop in Elephant & Castle, which hosts 60 different makers monthly. This shop has quickly become the hub for creatives, offering networking events, business workshops, and creative workshops. The company has grown since their initial craft market back in 2016, and its founders, Catherine and Rebecca, are delighted to work with an amazing small team of artists

RCA Show 2023 🎓

Royal College of Art Show 2023 13 July to 16 July 2023 Truman Brewery, London This summer, students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) will present RCA2023, a series of exhibitions and events across the College’s Battersea and Kensington campuses, at the Truman Brewery in East London, and online as a digital discovery platform. Encompassing over 2,400 postgraduate students across the RCA’s four schools – Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication and Design – RCA2023 will feature an international cohort of emerging artists, designers, architects and creative practitioners. From 13 July to 16 July, students finishing our two year MA

StartUp at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey

Call for Applications: StartUP 2025 Craft Festival Bovey Tracey 21st Anniversary Edition  6 - 8 June 2025 A dedicated pavilion at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey for makers who have been in business for 2 years or less (started trading since January 2023). Our aim is to support fledgling careers and to encourage and promote the latest creative talent. Stands in the StartUP section are offered at a much reduced rate to Craft Festival's stands and create an outstanding opportunity for businesses of two year or less. You make ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, metal, wood, plastics, mixed media, leather, stone, recycled materials,

News Edit: 26 July 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... Can the natural diamond market regain its sparkle? FT reports: Some think market for rough stones will bounce back as falling prices for factory produced rivals trigger profitability warnings. www.ft.com   Why Platinum Is The Precious Metal To Add To Your Jewellery Box Now Vogue reports: Platinum is experiencing a creative renaissance. Prized for its icy colour, which sits somewhere between white and silver, and its soft, light-refracting lustre, the metal’s popularity is once again on the rise. www.vogue.co.uk The Jewelry Shiona Turini Never Takes Off NY Times reports:

RCA Show 2023 🎓

Royal College of Art Show 2023 30 June to 3 July 2023 Battersea Campus, London This summer, students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) will present RCA2023, a series of exhibitions and events across the College’s Battersea and Kensington campuses, at the Truman Brewery in East London, and online as a digital discovery platform. Encompassing over 2,400 postgraduate students across the RCA’s four schools – Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication and Design – RCA2023 will feature an international cohort of emerging artists, designers, architects and creative practitioners. There are two opportunities to see the incredible work of RCA students

Funded residency programme in 2022 / 2023, Cove Park

Funded residency programme in 2022 / 2023, Cove Park Cove Park is pleased to announce the open call for applications to our funded residency programme in 2022 / 2023.  Cove Park's open call is available to all national and international artists, cultural practitioners, and researchers, working individually and collaboratively in all art forms, in the creative industries, and across disciplines. Cove Park’s residencies support individuals at every stage in their careers. Cove Park is pleased to accept applications from those wishing to engage with Cove Park’s first enquiry connected to the environmental crisis. This enquiry-based model – for the production

News Edit: 10 July 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   African jewellery designers bask in London V&A limelight FT: Their work challenges the expectation of what jewellery is, says museum’s curator. www.ft.com Jewellers and watchmakers grapple with when to enter the metaverse. FT: Luxury brands study the possibilities while some warn of danger of being left behind. www.ft.com Wanderlust Inspired Boucheron’s Latest High Jewellery Collection Vogue: Freedom. It’s a word that Claire Choisne, the creative director of Boucheron, peppers throughout her speech. www.vogue.co.uk The Most Dazzling Jewellery From Haute Couture Week Vogue: Haute joaillerie sees Paris awash with

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 Changemaker (Freelance)

Craft Changemaker (freelance)   ***NEW  Extended deadline:  Midnight, Thursday 7 July 2022** Craft Changemaker – Craft Scotland   Make a real difference within Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion for Scotland’s craft sector. Craft Scotland is looking for a freelance Craft Changemaker to take creative action to solve a social problem. This agent of change role is a key part of our  Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion strategy . A critical friend, you will inspire and support Craft Scotland and the craft sector to collectively reflect, learn and develop. This new role is flexible and open as this is its first year. Candidates

Studio Spaces at Fisherton Mill, Salisbury

Studio Spaces at Fisherton Mill, Salisbury Studio to let in the multi-award winning Fisherton Mill, the South of England’s largest independent art gallery & café with 13 onsite studios. It is set within a converted Victorian mill near the centre of Salisbury & is a vibrant & busy location. Fisherton Street is the main walking route to the railway station from the centre of Salisbury & is full of independent shops and businesses. We have a first floor studio available in this unique setting. Studio Details Measures approx. 11m2 Ideal for creative people & arts related businesses as office/showroom/studio. Unique city

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

New Hatton Garden destination 'FORGE' opens

Forge announces the much anticipated opening of it’s brand new creative jewellery hub in the historic Hatton Garden diamond district. Two weeks of events & workshops will follow a launch party on Thursday 9 February. FORGE is a new Hatton Garden destination conceived and designed by award-winning jeweller Amanda Mansell. After five years of planning and overcoming many challenges including crowd funding during a pandemic FORGE finally opens its doors on 9th February with a long awaited launch party followed by two weeks of exciting events celebrating learning, making and buying jewellery, with special guest speakers and instructors. Part funded

British Academy of Jewellery Student looking for part time work

British Academy of Jewellery Student looking for part time work I am a recent first-class business graduate about to begin my diploma in jewellery manufacturing at the British Academy of Jewellers in Birmingham. I am ideally looking for entry-level or trainee bench opportunities that will complement my studies. I am a highly creative and practical individual eager to gain hands-on experience that complements my studies and will provide a solid foundation to build my jewellery career. I am available Monday – Wednesday and looking for opportunities within the East Midlands and Birmingham area. Please feel free to reach out to

Emerging Silversmith Residency - February 2025

Emerging Silversmith Residency - February 2025 The Hugo Burge Foundation Berwick Upon Tweed We are looking for an emerging silversmith (min. 3 years postgraduate) to join us for a residency in February 2025. The successful applicant will be given access to the workshop including a personal bench, accommodation onsite and a weekly stipend of £350. During their time with us, the visiting resident will also be joining the community of emerging silversmiths who are supported by The Marchmont Silversmithing workshop as well as other makers and creators on-site and will also be offered mentorship from Creative Director Dr James Fox.

IGI Expressions Competition

IGI Expressions - A Global Design Competition IGI Expressions™ is an online jewelry design competition organized by IGI at a global level. Based on the concept of creative freedom, IGI is pleased to provide this platform where feelings can be conveyed in works of art. From birth, expression is the way we show love, anger, happiness, gratitude, pride, jealousy, honor, trust and more. IGI is pleased to invite the world’s artists to express their creativity through IGI Expressions™, where we encourage and celebrate excellence of talent. Renewal Renewal is a synonym for Regeneration & Rejuvenation. It is the change which defines

The Maker’s Fair - Summer Weekender

The Maker’s Fair - Summer Weekender 13 - 14 July 2024 Brighton The Maker’s Fair at One Garden Brighton is one of our most popular events of the calendar, with a carefully curated display of up to 70 exhibiting artists and designers. This event showcases the very best creative talent in the South. Visitors can also enjoy a schedule of practical demonstrations including wood carving, willow weaving, pottery wheel throwing and more. Come and ask questions, meet makers and hopefully become inspired to try something new.  One Garden Brighton is a regenerated historical walled garden nestled in the Stanmer Park

Lead Artist: Makers and Movers, Craftspace

Lead Artist: Makers and Movers, Craftspace We are looking to recruit a shadow artist (any artform but interested in early years), aged 18-25 and living in Birmingham or West Midlands, to support the planning and delivery of creative workshops and making kits for families. Makers and Movers is a craft and movement project for early years children (aged 0-5 years) and their families. Delivered by dance and craft artists working collaboratively, live sessions will use open-ended play to address areas of early year’s development that have been affected by lockdown, aiming to: rebuild physical strength and skills, nurture relationships and develop

A Post-College Guide with Sarabande

What Now? A Post-College Guide with Sarabande Matty Bovan joins panel to talk to new graduates about post-pandemic work life 22 & 23 June 2022   This June, Sarabande Foundation will host What Now? - a series of talks and workstations to help recent and soon-to-be arts and fashion graduates tackle post-university panic. The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected the creative industries and had a huge impact on job prospects for new graduates. Job openings fell by 66.5% - some 128,000 fewer jobs than pre-pandemic, and recent graduates who were self-employed or freelancing had their work opportunities crushed. Building on the

Bishopsland Launch £2.5M Capital Fundrasing Campaign

Bishopsland has announced today a new fundraising campaign ahead of its imminent relocation to the National Trust Buscot and Coleshill Estate in South Oxfordshire. The Bishopsland Educational Trust is taking out a 30 year lease on a 7,750sq ft historic Grade II listed derelict building to create a new home for Bishopsland, to develop spacious workshops, dedicated machine/hammering rooms, flexible creative and digital working areas, incubation workshops, offices, meeting facilities and accommodation. The organisation is due to commence activities on site from summer 2024. The Bishopsland Educational Trust is inviting visionary founding partners, dedicated funders, forwardthinking corporate sponsors and those

Brighton Jewellery Collective

Bench to Rent Brighton A bench within our friendly and supportive studio - Brighton Jewellery Collective is available full time from end of October/early November. We are housed within the amazing Rodhus creative studios, Brighton.  Rent: £180pcm (no extra or hidden fees) Double bench area (over 7ft long) 24hr access all bills included. No extra costs. use of communication equipment including safe, rolling mills etc consultation and admin area kitchen with hob shower and more The workshop has been created around supportiveness and we look forward to you joining us. Rebekah  hello@rebekahannjewellery.co.uk or DM @brightonjewellerycollective

Lead Maker, International Centre For Life

Lead Maker, International Centre For Life Life has an exciting vacancy for a creative and highly-motivated individual to lead development in Life’s Making Studios. As someone with a passion for learning, making and tinkering you will lead Life’s Making Studios, developing and facilitating imaginative and innovative making activities for science centre visitors and school groups. Through the programme will engage and inspire our visitors to create, developing their skills and opportunities. The ideal candidate will be confident, approachable and reliable, with excellent communication and organisational skills. You will have relevant experience in a hands-on making, education or science engagement and

Bolton at Home

Artist Commission, Bolton at Home Bolton at Home is seeking an experienced artist, creative collaboration or arts organisation, based ln the North West (i.e. requiring no overnight stays) to develop and deliver a Covid-safe proposal for a spectacular temporary artwork that offers an exciting opportunity for Bolton at Home’s customers to safely engage. Bolton at Home is a charitable community benefit society and social housing provider, managing more than 18,000 homes. We want to deliver an ambitious ‘pop up’ public artwork that tours our communities and helps our customers to feel more connected and less isolated, and that creates positive

Liane Wolf: Anodised Aluminium - Colour And Design Expression In Metal at K2 Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery

Liane Wolf: Anodised Aluminium - Colour And Design Expression In Metal at K Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery 25 – 27 May 2019 A 3 Days Workshop led by Liane Wolf at K Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery, London Colour And Design Expression In Metal 'Introduce colour to your jewellery designs through discovering an array of creative techniques for adding patterns, images and colour effects to pre-anodised aluminium. This unique material and process allows for colouring to become part of the metal surface as a permanent colourfast effect. We'll explore a variety of artistic approaches, including dying, mono-printing, stamping and using resists to

News Edit: 7 June 2020

As we find our 'new normal' here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   10 Black Jewellery Designers Who Deserve Your Support And Investment Vogue: Prominent black voices are rare in jewellery. Even though many of the world’s riches in the form of precious metals and gemstones come from Africa, its residents are far more likely to have been cruelly exploited in the name of adornment than to have benefited from it. vogue.co.uk Lockdown prompts a rethink of how we buy and sell jewellery Wallpaper: Gallerist Elisabetta Cipriani offers a creative alternative to trying on jewellery.

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

28th Legnica International Jewellery Competition ‘Silver’

Call for Applications: 28th Legnica International Jewellery Competition ‘Silver’ Preparations for Legnica SILVER Festival are underway. We are pleased to invite you to participate in its most important event - the International Jewellery Competition, as well as to come to Legnica on 17-18 May 2019! The 28th International Jewellery Competition "SILVER" is an open contest - professional artists as well as amateurs and debutants from all corners of the world are welcome. Submitted works are expected to be jewellery in a broad sense of the word, to represent a high level of artistry and execution, to contain an original, creative

Studio Share - Jewellers Bench Space Available

Studio Share - Jewellers Bench Space Available Thames Side Studios, South East London  £120/month Bright new workshop overlooking the river on Thames Side Studios premises with lots of natural light. Shared with 2 others (CAD technician & painter, both use it very occasionally only). You would basically have the studio to yourself most of the time! The size of it is 4x3m and about half is taken up by painting materials such as canvases. Site has 24hr access, parking and over night security guard. Over 400 artist studios on the site with a community of creative people. We currently need

Studio Share - Jewellers Bench Space Available

Studio Share - Jewellers Bench Space Available Thames Side Studios, South East London  £120/month Bright new workshop overlooking the river on Thames Side Studios premises with lots of natural light. Shared with 2 others (CAD technician & painter, both use it very occasionally only). You would basically have the studio to yourself most of the time! The size of it is 4x3m and about half is taken up by painting materials such as canvases. Site has 24hr access, parking and over night security guard. Over 400 artist studios on the site with a community of creative people. We currently need

‘De Vroomen Harmony in Colour and Form’ Book

Dutch Master Craftsman and goldsmith Leo de Vroomen has released a book, full of illustrations, which celebrates 50 years of his creative partnership with his artist / designer wife Ginnie. Their bold and colourful jewellery is lavishly illustrated, in combination with Ginnie's vivid paintings. The book also acts as an accompanying tome to the retrospective exhibition of their work recently held at Goldsmiths’ Hall. The book is available at a cost of £50 plus postage & packing Publisher: Leo and Ginnie de Vroomen Page size: landscape 280 X 230 mm Pagination: 224 hardback ISBN 978-1-5272-0650-2 P & P: UK £5.00,

Amberif 2019

Amberif 2019 20 23 March 2019 Amberif  is the world’s most important amber exhibition and the largest jewellery event in Central and Eastern Europe. Here business meets art, creative ideas are born, the latest trends and technologies in jewellery design are presented. Amberif  brings together 470 exhibitors from all over the world and 6,000 trade visitors from 54 countries, with the largest contingents from Russia, Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine, China, UK, Latvia, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Finland, USA, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Canada. The event is accompanied by exhibition previews, workshops, scientific seminars and discussion panels. AMBERIF’s highlight is

Open Studios: 401 ½ Studios

401½ are pleased to offer a warm welcome for pre-Christmas shopping or browsing and a chance to meet and chat with makers about their work. The artists and makers at 401½ studios are opening their doors once more this November, giving visitors the opportunity to view and buy from a vast array of different crafts and arts.  401 1/2 Studios is a happy industrious warehouse space in South London, the creative home of an eclectic mix of contemporary artists, designers and craftspeople.  Once a year we open our doors to those curious minds who want to explore the studios and

Objet d’Emotion x Ecru launch Jewellery Memory Game

Valery Demure, Founder of Objet d’Emotion, is proud to present the ‘Lady of the Rings” Memory Game, in collaboration with Nur Kaoukjhi, Creative Director of Ecru. With the challenges 2020 presents, we’ve learnt to adjust to a slower pace and enjoy simple pleasures. Spending time with her daughter Paloma reminded Valery of her own childhood, playing memory games with her grandmother Marie-Louise. Valery has travelled extensively, India being one of her favourite places, Jaipur connecting with her more intimately due to its jewellery history. As well as the beauty she admired, she also witnessed the obstacles the communities are facing

OBSESSED!

Over the month of November the biennial jewellery festival OBSESSED! will take place in various cities across the Netherlands writes Ilaria Ruggiero. OBSESSED! unites the best jewellery-related events – museum and gallery exhibitions, talks, fairs, book presentations and artist open studios – into one intriguing programme put together by  Current Obsession . The second, 2019 edition of OBSESSED! Jewellery Festival brings together independent artists, galleries and cultural institutions from across the Netherlands in celebration of Jewellery. United. Jewellery. United. is a new paradigm in jewellery discourse. It broadens the scope of what is seen as jewellery in relation to other creative fields and

Foundation Programme

Call for Applications: Foundation Programme The Goldsmiths’ Centre's Foundation Programme is a fully-funded programme for 16 to 19 year olds in London and the South East, who are seeking a career in jewellery or silversmithing, introducing them to a range of creative and technical skills specialisms, which can result in a City & Guilds qualification. The Foundation Programme is a also key gateway into the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme. Applications for 2019/2020 close on Sunday 5 May 2019.  Now in its 6th year, the Foundation Programme is unique to the UK and offers young people in London and the South

My Carbon Family Commission

'My Carbon Family' Sculpture Commissions, Creative Giants   Every one of us causes a vast amount of energy-intensive materials to be used every year, with high CO2 emissions to match. My Carbon Family is an innovative multimedia project to help people to better understand the unseen carbon emissions from materials we all use. A ‘family’ of sculptures are being commissioned to, in effect, work as a 3-D sculptural bar chart. BBC News will make five digital videos and a World TV documentary / iplayer examining the production and use of the materials whilst also documenting the artists whilst they create

Benchpeg catches up with Karin Paynter

As part of our lockdown chats series, this week Benchpeg catches up with Karin Paynter. Its a long one, but worth a listen, as we go through Karin's career, and the skill sets she developed intentionally and unintentionally along the way. Karin is an Independent Consultant, the Strategic Lead for Contemporary British Silversmiths and the Creative Director of ERA5050, a campaign for gender balance on British Stage and Screen. [youtube url=http://youtu.be/O0qcGGd67C0] She’s also a Medway trained Jeweller and Silversmith, with an MA from the Royal College of Art, is an award winning Silversmith in her own right, has

Bench Space in Friendly & Professional Jewellery Workshop in East London

*Two Remaning Bench Spaces Left* Bench Space in Friendly & Professional Jewellery Workshop in East London £295 per month HONE is unique an East London based workspace company dedicated to professional craftspeople and creators. We are now taking applications for our new Jewellery workshop, suited to the creative & professional jewellery maker.  The workshop has individual benches kitted out with lamp, tool storage, pendent drill etc. There is a shared tooling area with a rolling mill, forge, torch, drawbench, etc. Ventilated equipped polishing area, access to secure precious metal lockers. Etc. Alongside being part of our community of craftspeople and

Vegas Edge 2019

Vegas Edge Alexis Park All-Suite Hotel and Conference Centrer, Las Vegas, USA 12 th  -13 th  August 2019  The 3 Vegas Edge Show Reports Record Breaking Sales for Upcoming Event Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 August 2019 are set to go down in history as the Vegas Edge Team have pre-sold a record breaking 80% of the floor space for their August event. The sister show to LondonEdge, an international event established for 20 years, Vegas Edge is the only commercial platform stateside dedicated to lifestyle, creative alternative apparel, footwear & accessories businesses. Exhibitors, buyers, influencers & press will gather

Jerwood New Work Fund

Funding: Jerwood New Work Fund Funding for artists, artistic groups and artist-led organisations to undertake the research, development and creation of new work to enable a step-change in their practice and profile. The Jerwood New Work Fund provides funding for the research, development, creation, production and dissemination of new work, with a focus on developing artistic practice. You can apply for between £5,000 and £25,000 It aims to advance artistic practice by encouraging applicants to investigate the creative process and take risks that lead to the development of unique new works destined to connect with a public audience. This fund

Installation VOID Showcases the Hidden Galaxies Within Gemfields' Gemstones

As part of London Design Festival, an installation seeks to venture into the depths of gemstones, showcasing the chasms inside and amplifying them to cavernous proportions. Designer Dan Tobin Smith and creative studio The Experience Machine, in partnership with Gemfields, present VOID; a multi-sensory spatial installation at Collins Music Hall, Islington. The immersive experience allows visitors to travel through a series of large-scale projections, exploiting the intricate beauty in nature. A selection of Mozambican rubies and Zambian emeralds from Gemfields’ mines, which date back millions of years, are brought to life through photography of tiny microcosms magnified. Expanding the gemstones

John Ruskin Prize

Call for Entries: John Ruskin Prize Visual literacy charity The Big Draw, organisers of The John Ruskin Prize, together with the Prize founders and core sponsors the Guild of St George, announce the nationwide call for entries for The John Ruskin Prize 2019. The prize returns following the critically acclaimed prize exhibition ‘Master of All Trades’ held in Sheffield in 2017 attracting an audience of over 44,000 visitors. This year’s prize coincides with the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth. Open to a broad range of interpretations, the prize organisers are inviting entries from a range of creative practitioners in response to

Learn Hand Engraving in Manchester

Learn Hand Engraving in Manchester Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 October 2019 Hot Bed Press Printmakers’ Studio, Manchester The Hand Engravers Association has been running short courses for many years and we are thrilled to announce our first course away from London – in the creative surrounds of the Hot Bed Press Printmakers’ Studio in Manchester. Whether you are a complete metalsmith beginner or a professional jeweller or silversmith looking to diversify your skills - the 'Hand Engraving: Introduction for Beginners' courses are an in depth introduction to the techniques and tools of hand engraving on metal. Taught by professional

Diana Porter (1943– 2021)

Diana Porter award winning jewellery designer and champion of women’s rights, has died, aged 78.  Claire Wheeler of Diana Porter Jewellery wirites about her friend and colleague. A prolific creative mind, she was not only renowned for her innovative design but creating work with integrity and honesty. She fought tirelessly to raise awareness and promote gender equality and became a leading light for women within the jewellery industry.   In 1990 Diana went to the University of Central England at the age of 47 to do a 3 year full time degree course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. Diana focused her time at

News Edit: 10 May 2020

As we find our 'new normal' here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   2021 Baselworld Watch And Jewelry Show Is Cancelled Forbes: The MCH Group, which owns and operates the annual Baselworld jewelry and watch trade show, has canceled its 2021 fair in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the mass exodus of its most important watch exhibitors. forbes.com Get creative with these home teaching aids from the jewellery community Wallpaper: Though not necessarily intended for teaching purposes (indeed, the meditative art of colouring in is as enjoyable for adults), we have found these

Luxury Institute: The 7 Rules For Reinventing Your Luxury Business Model Post Pandemic

Citizens of the world have endured months of living through the COVID-19 pandemic experience. When we are past the worst of the crisis, we will not be the same, but we know from history that there will be many major opportunities for economic prosperity. How can luxury business leaders take creative, effective steps right now to shift the growth curve to a higher plane, with a steeper growth trajectory? To help brands achieve their well-intentioned purpose and values, here are seven rules from the Luxury Institute for reinventing the luxury business model for post pandemic success. Rule 1: From Disruption

Covid Forces Fashion Industry to Explore Virtual Reality Alternatives

As industries across the world have been forced to innovate and be creative in the challenges of COVID-19, one sector which was surprisingly quick to adapt was that of fashion buying. BrandLab, a unique virtual reality showroom developer, saw 500% increase in profit between May and June, as brands moved their physical showrooms to virtual. The growth has led to international investment, with new offices being launched in LA, Paris and New York and plans to expand their business beyond the fashion industry and develop direct-to-consumer platforms for everything from shopping centres and art galleries to car showrooms and football

Paolo Marcolongo: A dialogue between glass and metals

Paolo Marcolongo is an artist with a unique and multifaceted inspiration, and one of the significant representatives of the  Scuola Orafa Padovana writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Paolo Marcolongo is an artist with a unique and multifaceted inspiration, and one of the significant representatives of the  Scuola Orafa Padovana . In his jewellery all the complexities of the numerous sculptural, artistic, philosophical and aesthetic references that characterize his creative evolution find a compendium and perfect balance. Nature blossoms in both its sensuality and danger, on the one hand expressed by precious metals which are at times stinging, sharp, edgy, thorny, on the other

Benchpeg goes all chatty

As part of lockdown, we thought we'd have a call with an old friend, Fei Liu. The world is slightly different these days, and keeping in touch is all important. We called Fei Liu, Creative Director and Founder of Fei Liu, for one of our regular catch ups, but this time we recorded it to share. Fei and Benchpeg's Rebecca first met back in 1998, in fact, they were the first classmates to meet on the Jewellery and Silversmithing BA Hons course at Birmingham's School of Jewellery. The best of friends, Fei was the bride's gentleman (as the Vicar called [youtube

New Designers 2019 sparkles with a strong focus on Jewellery

Last week, New Designers kicked off its celebration of new design talent; connecting fresh graduates with industry professionals across a plethora of creative fields. On a glorious sunny Wednesday, Benchpeg attended the Business Design Centre in London to get a sneak-peak at the fresh talent; and was extremely pleased to see such a strong jewellery presence at the event.  New Designers prides itself on its progressive nature, stating “Great design never stands still, and should challenge the status quo. We champion new thinking, and new approaches to solving today’s problems through design. As society changes, so do New Designers.”  This

Veronika Fabian: The Political Jeweller

Veronika Fabian is not your average jeweller. Born in a colony of artists in small-town Hungary, she originally rejected her creative roots, opting for a career in finance. After studying at the University of Economic Sciences in Budapest, and successfully forging a career in banking, she missed the tactility of art. Now a multi-award-winning contemporary jeweller, her work can be described as “a rebellion against her past”.  There’s not much that escapes the ubiquitous nature of politics, even jewellery. Veronika Fabian attributes her initial aversion from a career in the arts, in part to the post-communist state of her home-country,

BFC Foundation Fashion Fund For The Covid Crisis Reopens Applications

BFC Foundation Fashion Fund For The Covid Crisis Reopens Applications British Fashion Council (BFC) is delighted to announce that following the initial £1,000,000 made available for the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund, the organisation raised an additional £500,000, allowing applications to reopen for a second round. The BFC Foundation Fashion Fund was established in March, to support creative fashion businesses and individuals to survive the Covid-19 crisis. In May 2020, the BFC gave financial support and mentoring to 37 British designer businesses, with grants taken from the £1,000,000 emergency fund allocated to viable businesses depending on their urgency and capability to

Make It!

Call for Applications: Make It! Make It! offers three London-based makers aged 16-25 the space and support to build their own craft-based business. Selected makers will receive a studio space at Cockpit Arts; including access to onsite workshops in business basics, one-to-one coaching and be a part of a thriving creative community. Applications are open to makers who are currently unemployed or underemployed (working in a job that doesn’t use their craft skills). The two-year programme is designed to give you everything you need to start building your craft business. We’ve had 26 Makers successfully complete the programme since 2011

Business Coach (Maternity Cover), Cockpit Arts

Business Coach (Maternity cover) £35,000 - 37,000 per annum pro rata (£14,000 – 14,800 for two days per week) Are you • An experienced business coach and trainer? • Someone who enjoys coaching their clients to realise their potential? • Excited by the chance to work with makers, designers, and craft-based micro businesses? Cockpit Arts is hiring a creative business coach and trainer to join our Business Incubation Team. The role will deliver one-to-one coaching to craft and design businesses, principally individual practitioners and sole traders, based both at Cockpit’s studios and outside. The coach will also support delivery of

Call for Applications: Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey 2020

Call for Applications: The Contemporary Craft Festival 2020 12 - 14 June 2020 Bovey Tracey, Devon Applications are open for the multi award-winning Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey. Craft Festival hosts multiple prestigious craft events in South West England and South Wales. Craft Festival Bovey Tracey is our Flagship Festival and is one of the UK’s largest and most loved craft events, hosting 200 diverse and talented makers of contemporary craft selling directly to over 10,000 people. The Festival includes StartUP, a specially curated area for businesses in the early stages of their career. To celebrate our wider European creative community, this

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

Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Awards 2019

The presentation of the annual Awards of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Awards took place at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on Monday 25 th  February 2019.  This important annual Awards Ceremony – known as the Jewellery Oscars – was hosted by Theo Fennell and welcomed over 300 guests, including world-renowned jewellery houses, notable sponsors, industry associations, leading designers and the UK jewellery press. This unique annual competition rewards excellence in technical skills and creative design in precious metals and related materials. The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) which operates the competition, actively encourages established craftspersons and designers

Online Learning: Copyright For Creatives

Online Learning: Copyright For Creatives How can you best protect and exploit the intellectual property you create? How can you lawfully reuse existing materials in the creation of new work? All creatives are faced with these questions, which are shaped by copyright law. However, the complexity of the legislation often prevents creators from fully exploiting the opportunities offered by the law. This online session aims to make UK copyright law accessible and digestible for anyone working in the creative industries – whether in advertising, marketing, graphic design, film, music, or TV – with a view to helping them make informed decision

Spring Fling 2021

Call for Applications: Spring Fling 2021  Applications open for mixed digital and physical event that will showcase the creative talent of Dumfries and Galloway Spring Fling 2021 will offer new and different ways to showcase some of the best contemporary visual arts and craft from Dumfries and Galloway. Organisers, Upland CIC, are delighted to announce plans for this year’s event which will be a vibrant mix of digital and some physical activities in place of the usual open studios weekend. This will hopefully include a pop-up shop and walks with artists plus online exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, live talks and studio

Online Learning: Copyright For Creatives

Online Learning: Copyright For Creatives How can you best protect and exploit the intellectual property you create? How can you lawfully reuse existing materials in the creation of new work? All creatives are faced with these questions, which are shaped by copyright law. However, the complexity of the legislation often prevents creators from fully exploiting the opportunities offered by the law. This online session aims to make UK copyright law accessible and digestible for anyone working in the creative industries – whether in advertising, marketing, graphic design, film, music, or TV – with a view to helping them make informed decision

Cockpit Arts Open Studios 2019 - Deptford

Cockpit Arts Summer Open Studios 2019 - Deptford 18-22 Creekside London, SE8 3DZ 21 - 23 June 2019 Cockpit Arts is open over two weekends for a midsummer celebration; visit for a glimpse behind the studio doors and a chance to buy direct from London’s best independent makers, alongside demonstrations, workshops and a secret postcard sale. Meet over 140 different craftspeople during the two weekend openings at Cockpit Arts’ studios; located in Holborn, at the heart of Bloomsbury and in the creative South East London neighbourhood of Deptford. Open Studios is the only time Cockpit Arts is open to the public, making

Crafting Business Seminar

Crafting EuropeSeminar - Crafts Council The project partners of the Creative Europe project ‘Crafting Europe’, are delighted to announce our first ‘Crafting Business Seminar’. Crafting Business is a professional practice training programme that was organised and delivered in 2020. This programme aimed to share expertise and knowledge to support the business development of newcomers to the industry in nine European countries including the UK.  Join us on the 22nd and 23rd February 2021, 10am-12.50pm (GMT/Ireland/UK/Portugal) to find out more about the Crafting Business programme and to hear from the participants and tutors involved about their experiences.     Please  follow this

RCA Show 2019

Royal College of Art Show 2019 29 June – 7 July 2019 Hester Road, London SW11 3AN  Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7AG Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU The Royal College of Art’s annual Show offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the very best of emerging contemporary art and design practice. Over 800 postgraduate art & design students will showcase work of exceptional quality, imagination and skill across a broad spectrum of creative disciplines. The RCA Show presents the opportunity to meet the artists and designers of the future, as well as to see their creations that range from

David Poston, The Lateral Maker @ The Scottish Gallery

David Poston: The Lateral Maker Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh 4 January - 1 February 2020 The Gallery presents a showcase of jewellery from David Poston, covering different aspects of his creative career including his signature work in stainless steel and forged titanium. Born to British parents in Moscow, Russia in 1948, David was educated in the United Kingdom and graduated from the jewellery design course at Hornsey College of Art. He worked as an artist-jeweller using mainly non-precious metals and other materials from 1970 until 1984. In 1985 David chose to change course by studying for a PhD in Engineering focused on the

New Designers 2020

New Designers 2020 1 - 4 July 2020 Business Design Centre Islington, London The next generation of visionary designers will come together at New Designers this summer, launching never-before-seen ideas, products and trends in a two-week celebration of the future of design. New Designers will take place at the Business Design Centre, London from 1 - 4 July 2020. Bringing together 3,000 of the brightest new creative minds under one roof and representing every area of contemporary design, New Designers is a launch-pad for fresh design talent. Bursting with ambition and radical ideas, these designers and makers have been hand-picked

Artist Jeweller John Moore named IJL Jeweller of the Fair 2019

International Jewellery London Celebrates the Best of British with Jeweller of the Fair International Jewellery London have announced a new, exciting trade accolade with the introduction of The Jeweller of the Fair. This year’s honour, which was created to shine a light on the UK’s best and brightest talent, will go to Artist Jeweller John Moore. John Moore, winner of two IJL-supported Goldsmith Company Gold Awards (2016 and 2019), was selected because the complexity and engineering dexterity of his creative jewellery couture. John is universally acknowledged as a highly skilled artisan and visitors to IJL will get the opportunity to 

Former George Ward School Site, Melksham

Public Art Commissions: Former George Ward School Site, Melksham Persimmon Homes are seeking expressions of interest for two linked commissions in a residential development at the former George Ward School site in Melksham. The commissions will deliver a suite of functional artworks including seating and waymarking in Public Open Space and Green Corridors across the site. Artist Fee The budget for the commissions is £34,000 and £20,000 There is also a commission for a bursary artist to the value of £2,500 (may suit a local and/or emerging Artist) to lead creative engagement on the project. Project Details More details in

HammerClub Exhibition 2019

Call for Applications: HammerClub Exhibition 2019 Theme / Thema:  Renewal (Erneuerung) Dock Street Studios, Dundee 27th May 2019 – 30th June 2019 The theme of HammerClub 2019 Exhibition will be  “Renewal” . Renewal in the sense of what has been taking place in the City of Dundee and its regeneration as a cultural and creative city; renewal in the way that silversmithing is undergoing a renewal through embracing new and emergent technologies. The exhibition will take place from 27th May 2019 – 30th June 2019 and its venue is  Dock Street Studios which has 167sq metres of space and is

CRAFT at Top Drawer

Call for Applications: CRAFT at Top Drawer Be part of Craft: the community for creative makers Are you a contemporary maker looking to sell your work in stores, museums and galleries? CRAFT at Top Drawer is the hunting ground for the very best professional buyers, retailers and collectors looking for exquisite one-off pieces created by hand with heart and skill. Applications are open for contemporary makers working in fashion accessories, interior design, jewellery, glass, textiles, furniture, stationery, metalwork, ceramics, sculpture, acrylic, woodwork, prints and etchings. Just click here to request the application form and information pack. www.topdrawer.co.uk Deadline: 1st May

Cockpit Arts Open Studios 2019 - Holborn

Cockpit Arts Summer Open Studios 2019 - Holborn Cockpit Yard, Northington St, London, WC1N 2NP 14 - 16 June 2019 Cockpit Arts is open over two weekends for a midsummer celebration; visit for a glimpse behind the studio doors and a chance to buy direct from London’s best independent makers, alongside demonstrations, workshops and a secret postcard sale. Meet over 140 different craftspeople during the two weekend openings at Cockpit Arts’ studios; located in Holborn, at the heart of Bloomsbury and in the creative South East London neighbourhood of Deptford. Open Studios is the only time Cockpit Arts is open to the

Cluster Jewellery Artist-In-Residence

Cluster Jewellery Artist-In-Residence Cluster London is delighted to announce the launch of its first artist-in-residence programme, which will offer artists the opportunity to experience the capital’s creative vibrancy through a fully-funded residency, and to develop their network in the city through a tailored mentorship programme. A Home from Home in London The Cluster Residency seeks to offer artists a life-changing opportunity to kickstart their practice in London, and to equip them with everything that they could need to develop an exhibition or project in this international art hub. The residency will last 4 weeks, and will include transportation

British Craft Trade Fair 2019

The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) 2019 Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate 7 - 9 April 2019 Hundreds of top tier artisans can help retailers satisfy the huge consumer appetite for authentic British design. The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF), which runs from 7-9 April 2019 in Harrogate, is the largest and most well-established event of its kind, focusing exclusively on British made artisan products. Now in its 45th year, BCTF will host hundreds of creative designer-makers in a fabulous state of the art venue, the Yorkshire Event Centre, which benefits from free onsite parking in an easily accessible location. Product categories

AA2A Project (Artists Access to Art Colleges) 2020

AA2A Digital This year, in response to the current environment, AA2A are launching 'AA2A Digital', a fully digital version of the AA2A scheme. The package includes a programme of artist seminars, professional web profiles for students, a series of self-employment talk videos and tailored information pack, all designed to support students to help them develop a career as a creative practitioner. As last years' placements were cut short, AA2A will not be recruiting new artists in 2020.   Full student employability support package - £1,400 Watch our 4 minute video   Self-employment support Self-employment presentations  - 3 x 40 min videos

Brazillian designer who turned her back on fast-fashion to exhibit at Milan Fashion Week

Brazillian designer, Roberta Mattos’, evolution from fast-fashion student to slow-design is encapsulated in her latest collection: Pause.  The designer began her career in the clothing industry but fell out of love with it due to wide-spread ‘fast-fashion’ practices. She finally settled on jewellery design after trying her hand at other creative industries, such as gastronomy and culture, inspired by a visit to a local jewellery atelier.. The ‘’Pause’’ collection is intentional and conspicuous with its meaning, incorporating the geometric ‘pause’ symbol as a motif within the designs, serving as a gentle reminder to take a break from technology and connect

Call for Entries: A' International Design Award & Competition

Call for Entries: A' Design Award & Competition A’ Design Award & Competition is the world’s leading international annual juried competition for design. The A’ Design Accolades are organized in a wide range of creative fields to highlight the very best designers from all countries in all disciplines. Entries to the competition are peer-reviewed and anonymously judged by an influential jury panel of experienced academics, prominent press members and established professionals. A’ Design Award & Competition promises fame, prestige, publicity and international recognition to all A’ Design Award Winners through the A’ Design Prize which is given to celebrate the

Make It

Call for Applications: Make It  Make It aims to support young makers based in London who are passionate about craft to build their own creative business. Applications are now open Make It  offers London-based makers aged 16-26 space and support to build their own craft-based business. Our two-year programme is designed to give you everything you need to start. Selected makers will get a free studio space at Cockpit Arts for 12 months, access to onsite workshops in business basics and one-to-one coaching. In the second year, we ask only for a small contribution of £20 a week. You’ll be

Head of David Fowkes Jewellery Climbs New Heights

Dr Rona Mackenzie, Chief Operating Officer of jewellery designer, David Fowkes, is to embark upon the challenge of a lifetime in order to support UK innovators in business. Rona has pledged to climb the highest points in each of the seven continents of the world, starting with Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, last month. All funds raised by Rona will support a new charity, D3, launched to help support businessmen and women in getting creative, innovative and dynamic projects off the ground. David Fowkes is generously supporting D3 through the creation of a unique, handmade piece of jewellery

Hackney Historic Buildings Trust

Hackney Historic Buildings Trust Digital Access Project 2021 Open Call – Proposals for digital events and activity Our remarkable buildings have been home to many creative residencies and educational projects over the years. This year, we are focusing our efforts on digital, audio-visual and online activities which celebrate the local history, heritage and architecture of our buildings. HHBT  is responsible for the protection and continued use of Hackney’s Oldest Building -  St. Augustine’s Tower , and perhaps our most notable building; the  Round Chapel  which HHBT owns and operates as a community and performance venue. Opportunity Round Chapel is the

Christmas Fayre at St Donat's Castle 2019

Call for Applications: Christmas Fayre at St Donat's Castle 2019 1 December 2019 St Donat's Castle, Llantwit Major Applications are now Open! About the Event A unique event in a unique location, herald the start of the festive season and join us for our Christmas Fayre at St Donat’s Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan. This popular, family friendly, annual event showcases a creative mix of handmade designer crafts and food exhibitors; the perfect opportunity to get into the Christmas swing of things and pick up some great gifts. With over 50 stalls to browse, including a number of first-time

Geko Takes Inspiration From Iconic 20th Century Female Artists For New Collection

Gecko Jewellery have sought inspiration from some of the 20th century’s most highly regarded contemporary female artists for the new Fiorelli Silver collection, which launches this week. The new range, which features 74 new lines, contains striking, contemporary pieces, with the designers drawing inspiration from the work of Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama and Anni Albers.   Commenting on the new collection, Creative Director Desiree Pringle, said: “The new Fiorelli Silver collection is a beautiful fusion of art and design, featuring minimal and modern profiles which lend themselves easily to every day wear and layering. The artists who inspired the collection

A Maison with a View: Discover Paris through the Eyes of Boucheron in the new 'Paris, vu du 26' Collection

In their latest collection ‘Paris, vu du 26’, high jewellery heritage, Boucheron, transports you to romantic, bustling Paris- taking you on a personal tour of spectacular landmarks and architecture that holds meaning to the Maison. Frédéric Boucheron was the first among the great contemporary jewellers to open a shop in Place Vendôme. Many other notable figures have resided there too since its birth in 1702, including Chopin, Coco Chanel and the Countess di Castiglione; who actually lived above Boucheron itself.  26 V is the Boucheron family house, and the heart of its creative enterprise. Its windows have bore witness to

International Fashion Showcase: Part of London Fashion Week 2019

International Fashion Showcase: Part of London Fashion Week Brave New Worlds: The changing landscape of fashion 11- 24 February 2019 Somerset House, London The International Fashion Showcase The International Fashion Showcase (IFS) nurtures and presents work from the most exciting fashion talent from around the world. Working in partnership, British Council, British Fashion Council, London College of Fashion and Somerset House provide a tailored programme for 16 emerging international designers, including a business development programme lead by London College of Fashion and a creative residency within Somerset House Studios in London. IFS will culminate with a free public exhibition during

Secret Garden Jewellery Box

A much-loved reference point for creative design and inspiration for interiors, tech to fashion and jewellery; it's hard not to pinpoint a designer who hasn't used the beautiful intricacies of nature to inspire a collection of artistry. Not only are their shapes, patterns, textures and sizes unique and different between creatures, plants, flora and fauna but so are the architectures around where they inhabit across the continent. To say there is a wealth of inspiration in nature would be an understatement! Beautiful incarnations of garden biodiversity are some of the most widely used within jewellery collections. Intricate, colourful and dainty floral

Measured - Sue Lorraine @ Gallery Funaki

Measured -  Sue Lorraine Gallery Funaki, Victoria, Australia 30 July - 24 August 2019 Sue Lorraine is a leading Australian jewellery artist with a practice that spans over thirty-five years. A partner and founding member of the jewellery studio, Gray Street Workshop and from 1999-2008 the Creative Director of the Metal Design Studio, JamFactory, Adelaide. Sue exhibits nationally and internationally and has work in every state collection of Australia. Her exhibition practice is founded in conceptual and research-based methodologies. Sue works predominantly in steel, in a style that is graphic, minimal and refined. More recently she has incorporated found objects and materials into her work

News Edit: 14 June 2020

As we find our 'new normal' here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   The Creative Women Behind Such Prestigious Jewellery Brands As Chopard & Cartier Tatler: Meet the women responsible for reimagining the heritage of world class brands through a 21st century lens. asiatatler.com 22 Black Jewellery Designers Who Deserve Your Support And Investment Vogue: Prominent black voices are rare in jewellery. Even though many of the world’s riches in the form of precious metals and gemstones come from Africa, its residents are far more likely to have been cruelly exploited in the name of

The jewel and the experience of the skin: Maria Ignacia Walker

An all-round artist, Maria Ignacia Walker expresses herself with her body and her skin. Her work tells the living experience, in organic matter. There are some factors in particular that haunt her, such as the transformation of the body, the skin, the loss of hair and everything that makes the existence a performative and creative act of continuous change writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Starting from her earliest collections, she explores the body as a door to transcendence, understood as another dimension of existence, but at the same time concrete, sensitive, sensual, touching, present. The skin represents that threshold, a natural and

Sian Evans Second Aluminium collection, Pars Pro Toto, Crosses the Boundaries of Art, Design and Fashion

Sian Evans is an award-winning British Jewellery designer, living and working in London. Her new collection, Pars Pro Toto, was launched at Paris Fashion Week last year to wide acclaim.  Sian’s love of archaeology, fashion, nature and technology; the history of tools and materials have informed her collections since she started her creative practice. Sian Evans Jewellery was first established in 1986, developing into an international label during the 1990s.  Sian is a lapsed fossil collector, brought up on the Jurassic coast in Dorset where she studied Geology. She has created pieces which are reminiscent of microscopic fossils, diatoms and

International Jewellery Design Excellence Award 2019 (IJDE Award) 2019

Call for Applications: International Jewellery Design Excellence Award 2019 (IJDE Award) To honour creative and outstanding jewellery designers from all over the world, the IJDE Award provides a platform for international jewellery designers to exchange experience and compete for the highest honour “Champion of the Champions”. In 2017, this biennial event attracted 165 champions of world’s leading jewellery design competitions from 27 countries and regions.  Trophy of “Champion of the Champions” Who can apply? Jewellery designers who have won the championship of any jewellery design competitions worldwide whose result was/will be officially announced between 1 December 2016 and 17 November

Jerwood Makers Open 2018

Call for Applications: Jerwood Makers Open Jerwood Makers Open, now in its seventh edition, is a biennial opportunity and seeks to support exceptional skill and imagination in what are traditionally described as the applied arts. JMO has established itself as one of the best regarded opportunities for makers in the craft calendar. The award and exhibition freely allow makers to develop their creative ideas and further their practice independently of specific commissioning structures. The resulting work will be shown in a group exhibition as part of the Jerwood Visual Arts programme at Jerwood Space in London next summer, before touring

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

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

To Shell With It

The biggest trend returning this Spring is an oceanic explosion of creative and bewitching designs inspired by beachy seashell treasures.  Beautifully eye-catching with mismatched charm and playful sophistication, the key trend to plunge into this season are ocean-inspired collections of the deep seas.  Shell-inspired jewellery pieces showcase an iridescent, light and dazzling silhouette that oozes femininity and allure in just about any outfit ensemble. Prepare to dive into an ocean bed of subtle sophistication by taking your jewellery game to a whole new level of intrigue and demure. Plunge into the deep-water jewellery selection we've fished just for you and swim

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

Anarkik 3D Design - Intuitive Haptic 3D Modelling Software

Donna Brennan Contemporary Presents Anarkik 3D Design - Intuitive Haptic 3D Modelling Software with Ann Marie Shillito International Jewellery Masterclasses 13 & 14 October 2018 This intensive Masterclass is geared to the requirements of jewellers, designer makers, applied artists and creative people who want to expand their business by taking advantage of 3D digital designing and 3D printing opportunities but find standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) programmes very intimidating. Led by designer/maker/jeweller Ann Marie Shillito: author of the book ‘Digital Crafts – Industrial Technologies for Applied Artists & Designer Makers’. Ann Marie is CEO of Anarkik3D, which develops 3D modelling

LOEWE Craft Prize 2018

Call for Applications: LOEWE Craft Prize 2nd edition About the Prize In 2016, the LOEWE FOUNDATION launched the international annual LOEWE Craft Prize to showcase and celebrate newness, excellence and artistic merit in modern craftsmanship. Aiming to acknowledge the importance of craft in today’s culture and recognise artisans whose talent, vision and will to innovate will set a standard for the future, LOEWE Creative Director Jonathan Anderson conceived the initiative inspired by LOEWE’s beginnings as a craft cooperative in 1846. ‘Craft is the essence of LOEWE. As a house, we are about craft in the purest sense of the word.

New Designers Goldsmiths’ Company Awards Announced

The New Designers Goldsmiths’ Company Awards were announced at the Business Design Centre, Islington on 28 June. The Goldsmiths’ Company is a leading sponsor of New Designers, the UK’s principal showcase of creative and innovative work from design graduates. While all students exhibiting jewellery and silver in the Jewellery and Contemporary Design and Crafts zone (Part 1: 28 June – 1 July 2017) were automatically considered for the awards, Andrew Fleming succeeded in the Silversmithing category and Miki Asai in Jewellery. Silversmithing Andrew Fleming from the Glasgow School of Art won for his exquisite Construct set of three ladles. Inspired

Robert Baines: Living Treasure and Fabulous Follies

The exhibition Robert Baines: Living Treasure and Fabulous Follies  is organized by Gallery Loupe for Contemporary Art Jewelry, Montclair, New Jersey, in collaboration with the Arkansas Arts Center and aims at celebrating the dazzling and witty work of the master goldsmith, craftsman and leading scholar in the field of archaeometallurgy. Everything in his creative research started when The Metropolitan Museum of Art encouraged him to make copies of pieces in their collection and testing them. This has developed his personal understandings that jewelry artifact crystallizes “human drama” and this knowledge base has empowered my trajectory into playing with jewelry history and

Q&A: Ruth Tomlinson

Ruth Tomlinson is the Creative Director of her eponymous jewellery brand. She has developed an internationally recognised luxury jewellery business from her central London based atelier which has associations with some of the world’s most prestigious names. She has been hailed with influencing a new generation of jewellers with her design aesthetic and ipseity. Ruth graduated in 2001 with first class BA (Hons) degree in Three Dimensional Design from Manchester School of Art. After being selected to attend the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Getting Started course, she went on to study on the Bishopsland Post Graduate course and then was appointed as

New Brands add to line-up at Jewellery & Watch 2018

Jewellery & Watch  will showcase a host of never-before seen brands from across the globe, including more than 50 international brands who will debut at the NEC for the five-day event; from Hong Kong, Italy, India, Turkey, New Zealand and many more. Over 70 exhibitors set to showcase their remarkable products are new for 2018 Brands from across the globe come together under one roof including Hong Kong, Italy, India, Turkey and New Zealand joining the line-up of 39 new UK labels Launching a new collection of rings at Jewellery & Watch, Italian brand Carini Gioielli are creative innovators in

Designer Jewellers Group Christmas Pop-Up

Designer Jewellers Group Christmas Pop-Up The Designer Jewellers Group exhibits for the first time at the Goldsmiths’ Centre this winter, with an outstanding showcase of new contemporary jewellery. Featuring innovative designs from the UK’s leading creative designers, browse through the variety of jewellery on offer, from exclusive pieces by accomplished designers to an exciting collection of affordable and contemporary styles. Ideal for Christmas gifts and meeting the designers to commission something extra special. The Designer Jewellers Group will be on show alongside Shine 2017 (Mon 6 November – Wed 20 December 2017), an exhibition of new jewellery, silver and metalwork

Take a tour of London Craft Week 2018

Jewellery is expected to play a major part in drawing in the crowds at the upcoming London Craft Week which starts on Wednesday May 9th amid what is regarded as a golden age of creative talent in Britain. The week-long event promises endless opportunities to network and share innovative ideas for anyone involved in designing, making or simply buying and wearing contemporary British jewellery. Throughout the five days, events will be hosted across a series of iconic venues across London by some of industry's most revered brands, including the Goldsmith Company which has teamed up with Fortnum & Mason to

Jewelry in a Duet

Laura Volpi’s work is a synthesis of energy, research and matter that takes shape through the elaboration of visual stimuli from our contemporaneity, to create jewels that reveal each a different part of her creative storytelling. She conducts an accurate study of volume and a research of the sculptural shape, to create a jewel that explores the boundaries of movement in a wearable dimension writes Ilaria Ruggiero. She was first influenced by Davide De Paoli, who initiated her to the potentialities of plate sculpture, and by Arnaldo Pomodoro, whom she could meet through a scholarship. During the collaboration with Pomodoro, which

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

Award-Winning Jeweller Alex Monroe Announced As Keynote Speaker For Getting Started 2019

The Goldsmiths’ Centre, the UK’s leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths, announced the keynote speaker for its business taster programme  Getting Started , which takes place from 7 – 11 January 2019, today. Award-winning jeweller Alex Monroe will deliver the keynote address giving an invaluable insight for recent graduates from UK Precious Metal or related courses into what it takes to set up successful creative careers.  Getting Started applications close this Wednesday 3 October 2018. This intensive free course supports talented jewellers and silversmiths to develop their own business or establish themselves as part of a larger company.

CFE Manufacturers Trade Show

The CFE Manufacturers Trade Show The CFE Manufacturers Trade Show is the sourcing event for fashion businesses looking to connect with high-end production units and supporting services. Come and meet our array of exhibitors, including manufacturers, pattern cutters, fashion software and embroidery services, that cater to smaller scale quantities for fashion entrepreneurs. The Centre for Fashion Enterprise is London’s pioneering Fashion and FashTech business incubator whose purpose is to fast-track designers and entrepreneurs into successful businesses. We work with designers and creative entrepreneurs to transform talent and ideas into businesses by providing support programmes to facilitate their USP, vision and

Eileen Gatt Transforms Former Black Isle Post Office Into Ethical Jewellery Centre

The small village of Munlochy, on the Black Isle, is set to be at the forefront of Scotland’s drive to become a world leader in ethical jewellery making and silversmithing. Eileen Gatt has recently given up her Edinburgh studio in order to transform the former post office, a few miles from Inverness, into a centre for ethical making and design. It’ll be a lengthy task, but thanks to a £4,000 bursary from the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh, plus £11,000 from Creative Scotland and £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), it’s a project she thinks has a bright future.

Goldsmiths North

Call for Applications: Goldsmiths North Contemporary Silverware & Jewellery Selling Fair 12-14 July 2019 Cutlers’ Hall Sheffield Goldsmiths North is a new show set to take place in July 2019 in the North of England. The Fair Goldsmiths North will provide a new and specifically tailored selling platform to skilled and innovative creative businesses within the precious metals sector. It will be a national/international event – a retail selling fair bringing the best of designer jewellery and silversmithing from the UK and Europe to the north of England. Location & Venue The Cutlers’ Hall, Church Street, Sheffield, S1 1HG The

Future Craft Conference: Entrepreneurship or Enterprise?

Future Craft Conference: Entrepreneurship or Enterprise? The University for the Creative Arts is liaising with leading institutions to instigate and explore 'Future Craft'. The first in a series biennial conferences will offer an opportunity to discuss, engage, debate, publish and disseminate new research starting with craft issues within the Jewellery and Silversmithing industries.   The opening conference seeks to provide a framework for a discussion on and around ‘Entrepreneurship or Enterprise?’ By celebrating present achievements and ideas we can look forward to exploring what the future might hold.  Possibilities for the next ‘Future Craft’ conference to be hosted by Queensland College

K2 Jewellery Academy Open Day

K2 Jewellery Academy Open Day Wednesday 5th September 12pm - 8pm Our open day will give you the chance to visit K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery, meet the team and gain in–depth information on our jewellery courses and student experience. You will be able to ask questions about the course, see the studio and facilities and get a taste of the creative atmosphere at the centre. Just drop in at any time, no need to book. See you there! Venue Cockpit Arts, Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, London WC1N 2NP Contact T: +44 (0)7450 257 207 or +44 (0)7786 911 724

Courses in Jewellery or Silversmithing

Knowing where to study to embark on a career, to up-skill, or simply to persue a hobby can be a bit daunting. We've compiled a list of higher education providers, professional development opportunities for lifelong learning and international institutions... There are a number of useful organisations who might be able to provide further information about career pathways, craft, design and creativity.... Useful websites: Hotcourses www.hotcourses.com Floodlight www.floodlight.co.uk Compare different University Jewellery courses university.which.co.uk UCAS search tool ucas.com Arts Council England www.artscouncil.org.uk Crafts Council www.craftscouncil.org.uk Creative Choices ccskills.org.uk D&AD www.dandad.org Design Council www.designcouncil.org.uk NAJ: Jewellery Education & Training www.najeducation.co.uk National Careers

Jewellery Courses

Knowing where to study to embark on a career, to up-skill, or simply to persue a hobby can be a bit daunting. We've compiled a list of higher education providers, professional development opportunities for lifelong learning and international institutions... There are a number of useful organisations who might be able to provide further information about career pathways, craft, design and creativity....   Useful websites: Hotcourses www.hotcourses.com Floodlight www.floodlight.co.uk Compare different University Jewellery courses university.which.co.uk UCAS search tool ucas.com Arts Council England www.artscouncil.org.uk Crafts Council www.craftscouncil.org.uk Creative Choices ccskills.org.uk D&AD www.dandad.org Design Council www.designcouncil.org.uk NAJ: Jewellery Education & Training www.najeducation.co.uk National

Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Launch 2019 Competition at IJL

The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council is set to return to International Jewellery London inorder to formally launch the 2018/19 edition of its annual competition. These prestigious Awards inspire and encourage excellence and skills development among graduates, apprentices, designers and masters working in jewellery, silversmithing and the allied trades. At IJL stand S118, the GC&DC will showcase a number of winning pieces from its 2017/18 awards, demonstrating excellence in creative design and craftsmanship. A number of short films will also be on show, offering visitors exclusive insight into the winners and workings of these annual awards.   Speaking of the GC&DC’s

Jewellery Courses

Knowing where to study to embark on a career, to up-skill, or simply to persue a hobby can be a bit daunting. We've compiled a list of higher education providers, professional development opportunities for lifelong learning and international institutions... There are a number of useful organisations who might be able to provide further information about career pathways, craft, design and creativity....   Useful websites: Hotcourses www.hotcourses.com Floodlight www.floodlight.co.uk Compare different University Jewellery courses university.which.co.uk UCAS search tool ucas.com Arts Council England www.artscouncil.org.uk Crafts Council www.craftscouncil.org.uk Creative Choices ccskills.org.uk D&AD www.dandad.org Design Council www.designcouncil.org.uk NAJ: Jewellery Education & Training www.najeducation.co.uk National

London Design Fair 2017

The largest collection of international exhibitions, designers, brands, country pavilions, features and exhibitions in one destination during the London Design Festival. Located in the creative heart of East London, the London Design Fair is a four-day industry event that brings together 500 exhibitors from 28 countries, including; independent designers, established brands, international country pavilions, features and exhibitions. As the destination of the annual London Design Festival over 27,000 influential; retail buyers, architects, interior designers, press, designers and design-savvy public attend to see and specify the very latest; furniture, lighting, textiles, materials and conceptual installations from around the world. www.londondesignfair.co.uk

Final Call: Business Incubation Programme Setting Out

Final Call: Business Incubation Programme Setting Out  Emerging jewellery and silversmithing businesses hoping to transition from the bench to running a successful creative business have until Friday 7 July 2017 to apply for Setting Out 2017 at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. Now in its 5th year, the intensive year-long business incubation course Setting Out 2017 is open to 8 talented emerging jewellery, silvermithing and allied trade businesses. A dedicated team of specialists focus on equipping exceptional talent with business, design and production development skills. As a member of the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s vibrant and diverse community, participants gain access to shared studio

Liberty Open Call 2018

Liberty Open Call 2018 Liberty London is on the lookout for the next big talent, offering artists, creators and designers a chance to have their own unique artwork immortalised in iconic Liberty Fabric, simply by uploading a photo to Instagram using the hashtag #LibertyOpenCall This year’s #LibertyOpenCall prize also puts the winners at the centre of the creative journey, including time spent developing the artwork alongside the Liberty London Design Team, as well as a trip to Liberty London’s fabric mill in Italy, where they will watch as the winning fabrics are printed. With a heritage of art and design

Jewellery Jobs, Retail Jobs, Design Jobs, Sales Jobs, Marketing Jobs & Internships

Jewellery Jobs, Careers and Recruitment Benchpeg offers the best range of jewellery jobs in the jewellery industry for your career. Find and apply for the latest jewellery jobs and careers on benchpeg.com Benchpeg’s jewellery recruitment listings cover all areas of jobs in the jewellery trade and jewellery making jobs to make it the No. 1 resource for jewellery jobs in the UK.  About benchpeg.com/jobs The jewellery jobs listed on benchpeg.com/jobs provide opportunities for career moves in all types of jobs in the jewellery industry. From creative and jewelery design roles, to craft and jewellery manufacturing jobs, to head office, management

Cockpit Arts Open Studios 2018 - Deptford

Cockpit Arts Summer Open Studios 2018 - Deptford Join us for this perfect opportunity to buy direct from  independent makers  - from master craftspeople and artist-makers as well as a selected group of Cockpit Arts’ alumni. Jewellers, weavers, ceramicists … and many other crafts A curated display featuring makers participating in the Cockpit Arts /  London Creative Network Programme . Demonstrations and talks from Cockpit makers  Lucy McGrath ,  Shelley James ,  Ian Scott Kettle  and  Onome Otite , and an interactive display by  Ekta Kaul . Enter the Prize Draw to win vouchers to spend with Cockpit makers. Enjoy delicious food in the

What's In A Face: Jewellery With A Personality

It's an unusual trend that's been circulating amongst fashion bloggers for some time now without any indication of slowing down. So the jewellery trend in question, becoming a permanent fixture upon our instagram feeds is the usual and obscure outline of faces. Discreet? No. Chic? Yes, yes, yes! It's hard not to be drawn to the artistic, abstract and boldly creative shapes and patterns of this trend. With oversized facial features, blurred uneven lines and imperfect placement of embellishment, the more obscure the design, the better! From earrings, rings to pendants, the fun face trend takes its inspiration from the

In:Site Festival Opportunity

Call for Applictions: In:Site Festival In:Site Festival is open to new craft and design graduates. Opportunity for BA Graduates and MA Postgraduates Craftspace returns to Birmingham Cathedral Square for the eighth year with In:Site, a festival of site-specific and co-created work created by recent graduates. In:Site provides an opportunity for selected applied arts graduates to create temporary, bespoke public artworks. Working outdoors within the Cathedral grounds, each graduate has a day to make their creative intervention on-site, turning the making process into a performance. The daily making performances, sometimes participatory, are intended to gradually fill the square with installations. Past

Loot 2018

Loot: Mad About Jewelry The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) will yet again present LOOT: MAD About Jewelry, its annual five-day exhibition and sale of contemporary art jewelry, with all proceeds benefiting the Museum’s programs and exhibitions.  Now in its 18th edition, LOOT remains the only event in North America to provide the public with the opportunity to meet and directly acquire contemporary pieces from the most skilled, innovative, and creative jewelry artists working globally today. Open to the public from April 17 through April 21, this year’s LOOT features a curated selection of jewelry by thirty-five international emerging

Experimental Setting IV at K2 Academy of Jewellery

Experimental Setting 4 Day Course 11 - 14 April 2018  What will be taught? This course will give you the possibility to explore and experiment with different setting techniques and to find new ways to use them in an unconventional way. The course will focus on different projects Trapping stones in liquid metal Using uncommon materials for jewellery making and setting Setting found objects and small valuable treasures You will be encouraged to look for a various ways of how to set stones and objects and explore the possibilities of embracing them in alternative ways and methods. The creative journey

Call for Applications: Emerging Designer-Maker Pavilion

Call for Applications: Living Crafts 2018 Applictions are now open for Living Crafts 2018 at Hatfield House 10 - 13 May 2018 Emerging Designer-Maker Pavilion This is an opportunity for free space in the Emerging Designer-Maker pavilion at Living Crafts, a four day major craft event which is being held Hatfield House in Hertfordshire from 10-13 May, 2018. This is an initiative to support recent graduates and is sponsored by Craft&Design online.  About the Event Living Crafts brings beautifully crafted designs chosen for their high quality and innovation. More than just a craft show, this is creative day out for

Top Drawer A/W

Top Drawer, the creative powerhouse for inspired retailers, returns to London Olympia on 10-12 September 2017. The Autumn/Winter 2017 edition presents thousands of leading and undiscovered UK and International brands, expertly curated and chosen for their beautiful design, exceptional quality, originality and commercial appeal.  Encompassing the dynamic worlds of Home, Gift, Fashion, Craft, Top Drawer provides unique access to this season's hottest new design-led products giving buyers the ultimate choice for a successful season. Food Emporium will make its September debut, adding a delicious selection of the finest giftable food products from the best producers and artisans.  Spotted brings the

Call for Applications Emerging Designer-Maker Pavilion Living Crafts 2018

Call for Applications: Living Crafts 2018 Applications are now open for Living Crafts 2018 at Hatfield House 10 - 13 May 2018 Living Crafts brings beautifully crafted designs chosen for their high quality and innovation. More than just a craft show, this is creative day out for all the family with hundreds of designer-makers, masterclasses, workshops and spectacular craft demonstrations. The event takes place in matted pavilions on the Queen Elizabeth Oak Showground, in the magnificent parkland at Hatfield House and admission includes entry to the West Gardens. Featuring the best of contemporary and traditional craft from jewellery-making, ceramics, studio

Craft Scotland Summer Show 2018

Craft Scotland Summer Show 2018 3 - 26 August 2018 Edinburgh, Scotland This August, discover contemporary design-led craft from 37 Scotland-based makers in one unique venue right in the centre of Edinburgh. You can shop curated handmade objects, including beautiful homewares, exquisite jewellery, stylish accessories and handcrafted gifts. Unleash your creativity with the careful guidance of our knowledgeable makers in the inspirational surroundings of our Summer Show. Many of the workshops are sold out, but we do have some spaces left: Carve a Ring Workshop with CARVE Carve your own ring in jeweller's wax. Get creative and make your own

Cockpit Arts Open Studios 2018 - Holborn

Cockpit Arts Summer Open Studios 2018 - Holborn Join us for this perfect opportunity to buy direct from  independent makers  - from master craftspeople and artist-makers as well as a selected group of Cockpit Arts’ alumni. Jewellers, weavers, ceramicists … and many other crafts A curated display featuring makers participating in the Cockpit Arts /  London Creative Network Programme . Demonstrations and talks from Cockpit makers  Lucy McGrath ,  Shelley James ,  Ian Scott Kettle  and  Onome Otite , and an interactive display by  Ekta Kaul . Enter the Prize Draw to win vouchers to spend with Cockpit makers. Enjoy delicious food in the

De Vroomen: Harmony in Colour and Form

De Vroomen: Harmony in Colour and Form The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to present  De Vroomen: Harmony in Colour and Form,  a celebration of five decades of artistic collaboration between renowned husband and wife team, Dutch goldsmith Leo de Vroomen and British jewellery designer and artist Ginnie de Vroomen. The showcase brings together over 100 pieces of De Vroomen jewels, sketches reflecting the creative process, as well as Ginnie’s vivid paintings inspired by nature and the urban landscape. In essence, bold, sophisticated jewellery with flowing lines is placed in conversation with polychromatic abstract art.  When Leo and Ginnie started working together in the early 70s, they developed

Lexus Design Award 2018

Call for Applications: Lexus Design Award 2019 Lexus Design Award 2019 calls upon young creative talent around the world to “Design for a Better Tomorrow”. Since 2013, this international design competition has provided the chance of a lifetime for up-and-coming designers to win the prestigious award for innovative design excellence, propel their growth, and reach world-class exposure. Mentoring. Funding. Exhibit at Milan. As a finalist, you will be provided everything needed to take your design to the next level and present it at one of the world’s premier design events. • Receive mentorship from worldly renowned design professionals. Past years

News Edit: 10 June 2018

A round up of this week's international jewellery news... Reed Krakoff on how he plans to revitalise Tiffany & Co for the Instagram generation The Telegraph: While many column inches are devoted to the frantic spinning of fashion’s creative-director carousel, the jewellery industry’s head honchos tend to stay out of ... www.telegraph.co.uk   Woman makes stunning jewellery out of fruits and vegetables Metro: It’s nice to have jewellery that you won’t see on anyone else. So perhaps it’s even more special to have bling so exclusive that it can only be worn for less than a week.  metro.co.uk   Markles'

Appointment: Ruth Johnson promoted to General Manager of Gecko

WB The Creative Jewellery Group have announced changes to its Gecko leadership team, with current Head of Sales and Operations, Ruth Johnson promoted to the role of General Manager for the leading fine fashion jewellery wholesaler. Ruth has worked at Gecko for more than 14 years, joining the team in 2003 as Customer Services Manager. Ruth’s diligence, passion and incredible work ethic have been cited as key reasons for her rapid promotion to Operations Manager in less than three years. Ruth’s advanced negotiation and leadership skills were further recognised in 2016, when she was promoted to Head of Sales and

British Museum Acquires “Brexit” Medal

An art medal, titled Exit Britannia ,  created by designer and craftsman Fred Wyver has been purchased by the British Museum. Fred Wyver teaches on the Silversmithing and Jewellery BA at the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester and produced Exit Britannia as an accompaniment to a student competition organised by the British Art Medal Society. The medal was displayed alongside a collection of work from students and practitioners from universities around the country in an exhibition titled ‘Holding Stories’ (17 April – 10 May 2018) hosted by UCA Rochester which has a long history of teaching precious metalworking

Micro scenery and architectural influences

The urban landscape and the nature have always been inspiring for artists and creative minds. The surrounding as well as the atmosphere, sounds and shapes, are meant as muses also for those working in the micro-sculpture and jewelry field. With different styles and background Jill Herlands, Nicole Schuster, Martacarmela Sotelo and Zeta Tsermou work by constructing and merging precious and non-preciouses metals, by creating small masterpieces ranging from minimalism to the superstructure of architecture, and where the raw elegance of industrial and urban suggestions finds expression.   Jill Herlands Photo Credit: Jill Herlands Jill Herlands is based in Hell’s Kitchen, New

Make Your Futures - Makers Call

Call for Makers: Make Your Future The Crafts Council is looking for craft makers to plan and deliver workshops for our flagship craft education programme,  Make Your Future . Make Your Future is a hands-on programme that connects traditional craft with digital technologies. The project brings together Higher Education Institutions, cultural partners, secondary schools, and makers to reignite a passion for making in schools and shine a light on craft as a cross-curricular bridge between science, technology, and creative subjects.  In the project's first year: Birmingham schools have worked with Birmingham City University's World Class School of Jewellery to explore techniques

*Deadline Approaching* Craft at Top Drawer

Call for Applications: Craft at Top Drawer January 2018     Applications for Craft S/S18 now open Craft is the hunting ground for buyers looking for highly original, one-off pieces, hand made with heart, skill and soul. Craft at Top Drawer has successfully connected hundreds of makers with lucrative commercial opportunities. In each edition, we present a carefully curated, exclusive edit that mixes global brands and innovative new names to create a compelling sourcing experience for our quality audience of buyers.  We anticipate, reflect and celebrate new trends so that in one, vibrant space – in London’s creative heartland – buyers

Crayola Colour Crush

The month of April is now upon us which makes it just the right time to get our new-season wish-lists  brimming with the trend-train must-haves! With the international fashion weeks done and dusted, we've done our trends research for the upcoming months and there's only two words for it: Colour. Explosion. With the politics and news of the world in a permanent state of gloom and malaise, the creative designers of 2018 have taken action to whip away the dullness with a kaleidoscopic dive into Crayola rainbow colours. Nothing short of uplifting, inspiriting and energising, the underlying message from S/S

Organic glass and fluid landscape

Biba Schutz is one of those artists who has no need to deepen the analytical phase of her creative process. Her intuitive ability and emotional approach to work allow her to achieve incredible results. Rippling Necklace During the course of her evolutionary journey, Biba has experimented with a range of materials, searching for a balanced dialogue between form and content, construction and meaning. However, perhaps it is in the use of glass that her language is best expressed and defined, even though she prefers to define herself as a metal worker. Her approach to glass was born almost casually 10

Domino Relaunches Revitalised Rosabella Collection

Domino have relaunched a revitalised Rosabella collection. The new Rosabella range now features 25 suites of statement and everyday diamond jewellery, covering a wide range of key carat weights and price points, incorporating both classic and design-led pieces. Commenting on the refreshed collection, Creative Director Naomi Newton-Sherlock said: “Rosabella is one of our most popular collections because of its versatility and wide appeal. We have retained our best-sellers, added new silhouettes and introduced a selection of contemporary design-led pieces. The breadth of style, precious metals and carat weights on offer, means that we can give our customers real choice, in

Cultural Institute Cultural Fellowships, University of Leeds

Cultural Institute Cultural Fellowships, University of Leeds Are you an artist working in the area of arts and science/hybrid arts, in the early to mid-stage of your career with a developing national and international profile? Would you like to be involved in one of the premiere academic-artistic fellowships programmes in Europe? The University of Leeds’ Academy of Cultural Fellows aims to support and develop emerging creative talent in a variety of different art forms. The Cultural Institute Cultural Fellowship in Art and Science recognises and wishes to support outstanding talent in any contemporary art forms. As a Cultural Fellow, you

West Dean College Open Days 2017

West Dean College Open Day Programme You are invited to come and explore the workshops and studios, take a tour with students, explore your study options and find out about funding at our next Open Day. Friday 1 December 2017, 10am - 1pm Programme School of Arts - Location Edward James Studios 10.00  Registration and Open Studios 10.30-11.00  Informal presentation in the Old Dairy Seminar Room : Welcome and Introduction - Francine Norris, Director of Education Outline Visual Arts Programmes - David Stent, Programme Leader, Visual Arts Outline MA Creative Writing and Publishing - Martine McDonagh Outline Part Time Visual

Anarkik 3D Design - Intuitive Haptic 3D Modelling Software

Donna Brennan Contemporary Presents Anarkik 3D Design - Intuitive Haptic 3D Modelling Software International Jewellery Masterclasses 7 July - 8 July 2018 This intensive Masterclass is geared to the requirements of jewellers, designer makers, applied artists and creative people who want to expand their business by taking advantage of 3D digital designing and 3D printing opportunities but find standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) programmes very intimidating. Led by designer/maker/jeweller Ann Marie Shillito: author of the book ‘Digital Crafts – Industrial Technologies for Applied Artists & Designer Makers’. Ann Marie is CEO of Anarkik3D, which develops 3D modelling software used in

Jewels of The Ocean: The Trend Making A Wave This Spring

An oceanic explosion of creative artistry has plunged onto the 2018 spring jewellery edit. Prepare yourselves for an expansive sea-bed of eye-catching, beautifully bright, mis-matched pieces, inspired by the vibrant life found underwater. Throwing it back to the 90s surfer vibes, long gone are the days of cornrows and white shell chokers ready to reveal the sophisticated and playful pieces jumping for air this spring. The fashion runways revealed models adorned in mismatched shell earrings, revamped conch-shell rings and gemstone encrusted charm bracelets in tropical palettes of dazzling colour. From door-knocking droppers and decked-out chokers to dainty delicates, embrace this

Appointment: Harriet Kelsall elected first female Chair of the National Association of Jewellers

One of the UK's most respected bespoke designers Harriet Kelsall has been elected as the first female chair of The National Association of Jewellers after serving as Vice-Chair for the past two years. Well-known for championing the causes of education, ethics and the environment in the jewellery industry, Harriet brings a wide range of skills and know-how to her new role, tapping into her experience and expertise from acting as chair of the NAJ's new Education steering group, advising the Government on jewellery making skills as part of the Creative and Cultural skill academy and growing her business Harriet Kelsall

Evesham Bell Tower Lighting Project, Wychavon District Council

Evesham Bell Tower Lighting Project, Wychavon District Council Wychavon District Council is looking for an experienced individual or company to design and replace the exterior lights for The Bell Tower in Evesham. The Bell Tower is a heritage building and is on scheduled ancient monument land so will need permissions. This project is part of phase 1 of the Evesham Creative Lighting Trail which links the lights on the River Avon to the Almonry museum via Evesham war memorial, Abbey Park memorial gardens, All Saints Church and St Lawrences church. Project Timeline The project is due to start in July

Harriet Kelsall Confirmed as Keynote Speaker for Make Your Mark

On 31 October and 1 November, Goldsmiths’ Hall will host Make Your Mark, the UK’s biggest careers fair for apprentices and students of jewellery and allied trades. Following the huge success of the events in 2014, 2015, and 2016 the event will deliver even more inspiration, advice and networking opportunities. Harriet Kelsall will act as keynote speaker.  She will describe her story starting a creative business from start-up stage to present day - Harriet is one of the most respected bespoke designers and business trailblazers working in the UK jewellery industry today. She is the 2016 HSBC Forward Ladies Retail

News Edit: 22 July 2018

A round up of this week's international jewellery news... All that glitters: dazzling high jewellery looks SCMP: Big is better and bold is beautiful when it comes to jewels www.scmp.com Gemstone-studded lace exposes the sensual side of high jewellery at Dior The Telegraph: For all the comings and goings of creative directors at the fashion houses that dominate the Paris Haute Couture schedule, those who helm the city’s jewellery maisons tend to have a more stable tenure. www.telegraph.co.uk Big in Japan: Les Mondes de Chaumet The Week: Les Mondes de Chaumet (The Worlds of Chaumet), an ambitious exhibition detailing the

Shimell and Madden Launch new Film

An insight into the creative and craft process of  Shimell  and Madden, this video profile shows how the duo work together and develop their ideas. London based, they  create structural  gold pattern work that form distinctive fine jewellery pieces.  Shimell and Madden occupy that space where craft, art and fashion intersect. High quality and hand-crafted, their jewellery explores themes of science, nature and time. Shimell and Madden | The Process | 2017 from Shimell and Madden on Vimeo . They have been creating jewellery in their London studio since 2010. Emma

Wanted: Practising Contemporary Jeweller

Wanted: Practising Contemporary Jeweller Shelanu Jewellery Range 2017 Shelanu: Women’s Craft Collective, supported by Craftspace is seeking a contemporary jeweller to support the development of a new range which reflects the Collective, its diversity, place and ethos. Shelanu: Women’s Craft Collective is a developing craft social enterprise, supported by Craftspace, of migrant and refugee women producing high quality craft objects inspired by their adopted home, Birmingham and their experiences of migration.  The aim of the Collective is to assist other migrant and refugee women to become more aspirational through creative development, working towards their integration into local communities and for

Under the Sea by Philippe Pfeiffer, Summer 2017

Philippe Pfeiffer is a London-based jeweller who specialises in creating spectacular, hand-crafted jewellery. Founded in 1997 in Zurich, Philippe Pfeiffer Jewellery is now based at 52 Artillery Lane, in the heart of Spitalfields, London.  Each piece is designed and made by Philippe Pfeiffer in his Spitalfields atelier. Dedicated to creating unique pieces from a selection of rare and precious stones, he produces a range of daring combinations made from a variety of materials. A vast and eclectic collection of materials and found objects inform his creative process and can be seen at his atelier. His imagination knows no bounds and

Loewe announces winner of Craft Prize

Launched by the Loewe Foundation in 2016    to celebrate excellence in modern craftsmanship, the   Loewe    Craft Prize has announced its winning entries  of 2017. Ernst  Gamperl  of Germany was awarded the prize for his work  ‘Tree of Life 2’,  selected from among   26 finalists . His creation was chosen by a distinguished jury of leading figures in design, architecture, journalism and museum curatorship.     Ernst  Gamperl  received a silver trophy from iconic actress Charlotte  Rampling , along with a cash prize of 50,000 euros. Loewe Creative Director Jonathan Anderson said, “The work of Ernst  Gamperl  has

New LVMH partnership with Central Saint Martins

LVMH and Central Saint Martins have announced a  groundbreaking  new partnership to promote creativity and identify cutting-edge solutions to  drive  sustainability  and innovation in luxury.  Under the banner LVMH & Central Saint Martins “Sustainability & Innovation in Luxury | Fostering Creativity”, this new program is inspired by a shared desire to address  the  many  challenges facing the luxury industry.  After many years of academic and creative collaboration, LVMH is taking its relationship with Central Saint Martins to a new level in 2017, creating a new program with the renowned art and design school. The partnership will promote creativity, nurture young

Degree Shows Plymouth 2017

Breaking Through Degree Shows 2017 Plymouth College of Art Risk-taking and convention-breaking — discover the future of creative practice at our annual showcase of fresh talent in art, design, craft and digital media. Taking place throughout our HE campus, our state-of-the-art workshops and studios will transform into a dynamic exhibition space, free and open to the public from Saturday 10 to Thursday 22 June 2017. Showcasing work from students across the college’s Undergraduate, Masters and Foundation Diploma in Art & Design programmes, this summer’s Degree Shows offer an exclusive window into life at an independent art school, and a chance

Artist Residency, ArtsTaunton

ArtsTaunton is an organisation working to make Taunton a great place to live - somewhere where art and nature combine to make a town that has a unique identity. To achieve this aim ArtsTaunton has secured funding to support an artist to explore the enduring character of our town - its people and its landscape. In the coming years we want to support our creative sector and stimulate the appetite in people for brilliant and meaningful art. This residency is one of the first steps to help us find out what would be meaningful for Taunton’s citizens. The residency asks

Business Growth Programme 2017

The Goldsmiths' Centre has launched a new Business Growth Programme which will bring together ten entrepreneurs who share ambition to transform their businesses.  Are you an entrepreneur with the aspiration to grow a leading business in your sector? The Goldsmiths' Centre is looking for some of the most creative and talented members in the UK with the potential and drive to become game-changes in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied industries. The Business Growth Programme at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, generously funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company, will bring you together with nine other dynamic entrepreneurs in the industry for a 6 module

A Series of Artistic Commissions

A Series of Artistic Commissions, Falmouth and Exeter Universities Call for Proposals Falmouth and Exeter Universities would like to invite artists and designers to work with their students and staff to produce high quality artworks that function in or as, social spaces, to enhance interactivity on site at the Penryn Campus. Proposed Sites/Areas of Focus A unified design for bike, bus and smoking shelters - there are existing shelters, but these could be improved and given a new creative thought and unity. Around the 'Stannary' and 'Heart', working with the proposed configuration of the new ‘Social Space’ – this is

Xifu Announce Judging Panel for International Jewellery Design Competition

The  Xifu  International Gold Wedding Jewellery Design Competition 2017 has announced its prestigious panel of judges, comprising distinguished luminaries in the fields of design, jewellery and the arts. Organised by   JNA   and   CJNA   of UBM Asia, the World Gold Council and the People's Government of  Yantian  District,   Shenzhen, the biennial competition aims to usher in a new era in gold wedding jewellery by encouraging designers from around the world to reflect wedding traditions and customs through fresh and creative designs.   The independent judging panel of the competition's inaugural edition consists of highly respected, esteemed

Kit Heath SS17 shouts silver

SS17 shouts SILVER! and Kit Heath’s Spring and Summer beautifully designed, ready to wear sterling silver jewellery is a stunner! With over 100 new designs and some creative twists on Kit Heath’s favourites offering inspirational buying across the spectrum of style and price from core mini profiles at entry price points to stunning once-in-a-lifetime pieces. With the launch of new headline collection ‘Shore’ created from coastal influences which is a feature trend this season. Shore features Kit Heath’s signature style of relaxed and casual organic forms with textured finishes, highlights of gold plate resulting in a quintessential Kit Heath styling;

The Pommier Launches Pop-Up Shop At Boxpark Shoreditch

This May, global online retailer The Pommier will launch its first pop-up shop at Boxpark Shoreditch to showcase its unique and creative range of independent accessory designers. Customers will now be able to experience The Pommier in real life and get to meet the world’s most exciting emerging designers in person for a limited time only. The pop-up will feature 25 designers who will showcase their handmade fashion accessories throughout the week.  The Pommier pop-up shop will launch on 16 May and will be open until 28th May. The shop will house six spectacular designers each day on a rotating

Carmarthen School of Art - Coleg Sir Gâr

Established in 1965, the Foundation programme at  Carmarthen  has a national reputation for excellence. It offers learners the opportunity to explore a diverse range of  art  and design options to enable them, through experience, to make an informed choice about future education, training and employment progression.   HERITAGE Carmarthen School of Art has been providing Art education since 1854, being one of the first Art Schools set up in Britain following the Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace in London. The School has been continually evolving ever since, responding to social, creative and cultural developments and the changing needs of its

West Dean Arts and Craft Festival 2017

2017 West Dean Arts and Craft Festival brings together 200+ artists, makers, writers and performers for the UK’s definitive arts and craft festival. Taking place at West Dean College, the former home and gardens of Edward James, poet, Surrealist and arts patron, the festival will deliver a wide range of dynamic workshops, drop-in creative sessions as well as exciting live demonstration, performances and installations. Browse and buy unique pieces from 120 designers and makers, curated by MADE, and visit the dedicated Print Show. Visitors will discover the secrets of West Dean House, with itsintriguing arts heritage, along with the surrounding

The Royal College of Art is World’s Leading University of Art and Design for Third Year

The Royal College of Art has again been named the world’s leading university of Art and Design in the 2017 QS World University Subject Rankings, beating top-ranking global universities including MIT, Stanford, Yale and Rhode Island School of Design to the top spot for the third consecutive year. The premier ranking confirms the RCA’s position as the world’s leading university of art and design. In the UK, the College is recognised as being at the forefront of innovation, supporting more successful start-ups than Imperial College and Oxbridge combined, and with 45% of our graduates starting their own creative industry and

The Sorting Office Summer Open Studios

This year The Sorting Office Summer Open Studios will be held over the weekend of 17th - 18th June. The popular event is run as part of Eastleigh Unwrapped Festival and welcomes visitors to take a look around the studios, meet the artists and shop for locally made products and gifts. To read more about the line-up for Eastleigh Unwrapped, see their website. Formerly a Royal Mail Sorting Centre, The Sorting Office is now home to 16 creative makers, from illustrators and print designers to jewellery makers and textile artists. As part of the Open Studios we'll once again be

Christmas Open Studio, New England House - Brighton

New England House is unique in Brighton: a diverse community of creative and entrepreneurial people working under one roof. Now in its 16th year, the December Open Studios Show is the only time in the year when the artists and makers open their doors to the general public. Visitors will have a chance not only to buy work direct from the makers, but will have the added excitement of seeing how and where they work and even to commission unique new work. Over 50 artists, designers, makers exhibiting & selling beautiful high quality art & unique gifts: Photography, Paintings, Drawings, Illustrations,

Hypnotic Crystal Lips: Where Jewellery Meets Beauty

Striking gemstones have been setting hearts all aflutter as they dazzle, glitter and shine round the necks, wrists and dainty fingers of models strutting the fall runways. Nothing quite beats the majestical beauty and subtlety of semi-precious crystal stone jewellery that never fails to capture the magpie eyes of the jewellery world. The enchanting light refractions that encompass the delicacy of the gemstone spectrum have been entwined into a new and bewitching creative innovation where the wearing of coloured stone just got magnetising. Capture the passion for coloured stones by painting a new twist upon this old tradition by taking

'Jewellery Oscars' Announced: Goldsmiths’ Crafts & Design Awards 2017

The presentation of the annual awards of the Goldsmiths Craft & Design took place at Goldsmiths Hall in London on 27 February 2017.    This important annual Awards Ceremony - known in the trade as the Jewellery Oscars - was hosted by international jewellery expert, Joanna Hardy, and welcomed over 300 guests, including world renowned jewellery houses, notable sponsors, industry associations, leading designers and the UK jewellery press. This unique annual competition rewards excellence in technical skills and creative design in precious metals and related materials. The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council, which operates the competition, actively encourages craftsmen and

Introducing Lux of London: A New British Jewellery Label

A new British jewellery label creating multifunctional 3 in 1 jewellery pieces inspired by the luminosity and transient nature of the full moon. Set up by Hinna Azeem, who is the creative director at H.AZEEM London, Lux of London is all about jewellery that can transform and be worn in many different ways. Turn rings into pendants, pendants into bangles and seamlessly back again in a matter of seconds using simple mechanisms of clips, loops and slides. Just like transient nature and luminosity of the moon phases, every Lux lets the wearer change their look to suit their mood and

LFW Limelight: Ejing Zhang SS17 Collection

Born and raised in China, Ejing Zhang's exposure to fabrics and thread came at a very young age, as her Mother worked in the textile industry. Zhang's love of fabrics and fashion continued to grow with her and resulted in an education and passionate career in the creative industry. Ejing Zhang graduated from the Royal College of Art with a MA in Mixed Media Textiles. Through the combination of textiles and resin, Ejing Zhang Studio creates intricate jewellery by highlighting a cross section of the mixed media resin tile, revealing its abstract and detailed core. All the tiles are hand

Hidden, RCA

The RCA’s technical staff have a wealth of skills knowledge as staff and students know well – from an award-winning photographer, to Lady Gaga’s shoe designer. To the outside world, these remarkable talents are hidden away.  Hidden  celebrates some of their most innovative creative work. The week-long exhibition will showcase work by over 40 technicians across the College, including an exciting mix of jewellery and textile design, painting and sculptures, as well as handmade bespoke cars and interactive virtual realities. Hidden  will showcase many well-known designers and artists including Natacha Marro, a world-renowned shoe designer. Celebrated for wild and visually

Festival of Living Crafts 2017

Hundreds of designer-makers will be showcasing British crafts in action at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire from the 4th to 7th May. This four day craft extravaganza is dedicated to promoting cutting edge creativity and excellence in craftsmanship. Pavilions are packed with established makers, carefully vetted for their individuality and innovation with a festival atmosphere combining craft demonstrations, workshops and entertainment. Visitors will be immersed for the day in British contemporary craft of exceptional quality, meet the friendly exhibitors who are passionate about their creative talents and enjoy watching craft masterclasses. This is the perfect opportunity to buy handmade gifts with

Bernhard Schobinger: After Nature

Bernhard Schobinger: After Nature "So, when the optic nerve tears, in the still of the air all turns as white as the snow of the Alps". - W.G Sebald "After Nature", 1988 In figurative art, to paint after nature is the opposite of “imitating art”, with its idealization of reality. The works in this exhibition of recent jewellery by Bernhard Schobinger evince the natural world through a communality of means; rather than “imitating nature” they assimilate the human creative process to that of nature, with its perfect, sophisticated and senseless accidents. The contrast between the polished angular surfaces and rough

Centrepiece - Symphony Hall, Birmignham

Centrepiece Jewellers showcase handmade unique collections a t Symphony Hall   Each year during the festive period, a collective of Birmingham’s well established and emerging jewellery designers exhibit at the prestigious selling event, Centrepiece at Symphony Hall. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy exclusive Christmas gifts from exceptional handmade creative collections, or commission truly one-off personal pieces. Hosting a fantastic competition worth £100 This year Centrepiece is running a fantastic competition opportunity. To be in with a chance of winning £100 off your chosen piece of unique jewellery please visit the Centrepiece Jewellery Facebook page to enter from 9 November.

Focus Gallery Launch Nottingham Jewellery School

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

Sparkle With Silver Christmas Tree Decorations

The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to present a brilliant selection of Christmas tree decorations designed and curated by some of the most prominent silversmiths working in the UK today. This exquisite selection of festive celebration is currently on display at the Goldsmiths' Hallwith the opportnity to purchase a piece that captches your eye and ignites your Christmas spirit! Following on from last year's successful display at the National Museum of Scotland in conjunction with the Silversmiths' Art, this years showcase selection of Silversmiths' Christmas Tree decorations celebrates the artistry of our creative industry within one of the most exciting and

Countercurrent, London Design Festival

Arthur Beale, London’s last remaining Yacht Chandler, at the heart of Covent Garden on Shaftesbury Avenue, plays host for the London Design Festival to an exhibition of work by some of Britain’s major contemporary jewellery designer makers, staff of Central Saint Martins BA Jewellery Design. Seeking inspiration from the ropes and sailing tackle retailed by Arthur Beale, these designers have brought their creative imaginations to play on the robust materials, forms and objects of traditionally crafted chandlery to produce their more delicately sculpted precious objects of embellishment and adornment. Entitled ‘Countercurrent’, the exhibition brings into collaborative confrontation two differently evolved

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

11th Muir Trust Residency

The Muir Trust invites applications from established, mid-career, UK-based studio artists who wish to develop their creative practice by working with the County Museum collections. The 20 day residency will be based in Aylesbury during the period 18 September to 27 October 2017. We are looking for an artist to select items from the varied collections in store and respond to these through their own medium to create new readings and interpretations. The artist will have a studio in the museum to display the selected exhibits and develop their own artistic responses. The residency is followed by an exhibition illustrating this

A Fab Boost For Megan Collins and Her 'Succulent' Collection

When Megan Collins arrived in London from South Africa in 2012, she wasn't sure what path her career would take but she knew she had an opportunity to try something new. She enrolled on a week-long course at Vannetta Seecharran School of Jewellery and "totally loved it". So much so that she embarked upon the year-long diploma course and soon found herself making jewellery that spoke to her South African roots, based on the shapes of native succulent plants. Since completing the course in 2014, her creative career has been constantly evolving. Along with teaching Art and Design four days

Knights Wood Housing Development

The Dandara Group, working with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council are seeking proposals from artists and designers to create a statement sculptural work to be located in the Village Square of Knights Wood, a new housing development in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Public Art Commission The highly original sculptural work set primarily into a pre-defined space at the end of a triangular water feature will help to provide Knights Wood with a distinct identity by responding to the site’s character and the communities that live there. The commissioning panel are flexible to the wide range of creative approaches this commission can take.

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

3D Printing: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful

3D Printing: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful In partnership with the University of Lincoln, The National Centre for Craft & Design presents a thought provoking exhibition exploring 3D printing technology. The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful, urated by Bryony Windsor, Head of Exhibitions for NCCD, in partnership with Professor Anne Chick for the University of Lincoln, celebrates innovation, poses ethical questions and considers the future of the manufacturing process. Works on display explore the innovative, political, social and environmental aspects of 3D printing. The show highlights that whilst the process is opening up new creative possibilities for makers, the

Pulse 14–16 May 2017 - Olympia, London

If you don’t know about Pulse already, it is a beautifully curated, boutique trade event designed for busy buyers who are searching for the next must-have products and the freshest design talent in one central location. For 2017 we are launching Makers , the first trade event dedicated to emerging creative talent, and Brands , a must-attend edit of exciting new launches from 30 of the industry’s leading brands. Pulse is all about making an impact so we have no doubt you will find great products that will do really well in your stores! Dates 14–16 May 2017 Venue Olympia

Trade Organisations

It's always useful to know you are not alone in the industry and knowing where to go for specialist support can be a lifeline. We've complied a list of the industry's trade focused organisations, member associations and bodies as a quick reference... Association of Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ) ACJ promotes a greater understanding of contemporary Jewellery and supports jewellers’ creative and professional development. acj.org.uk British Allied Trade Federation The British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) is a company limited by guarantee which comprises five trade associations. Together these represent approximately 2,500 enterprises from the jewellery, giftware, surface engineering and travel goods and

Membership of the Goldsmiths’ Centre

The Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell has launched a new membership scheme for the goldsmithing industry and wider creative design field offering opportunities to link up and access a range of benefits and discounts. The network is free to join and forms a unique community for members to share ideas, collaborate, evolve and grow their businesses. Since 2012 the Goldsmiths’ Centre has brought together trainee and working goldsmiths and those interested in design, creativity and craftsmanship in its state-of-the-art building. As a member of the Goldsmiths’ Centre, subscribers are amongst the first to hear about upcoming and exclusive programmes via a dedicated members’

DRAKENBERG Introduces Birthstones

The Swedish jewellery brand DRAKENBERG creates timeless and minimalistic jewelleries inspired by the Nordic nature. This spring the designer duo wants to give the collection a new touch and are therefore presenting the new collection Birthstones. A collection of stones representing each month of the year. “We’ve been working on this collection for some time now and we feel so proud to finally launch it. It is exiting to try a new material and add some colour in a DRAKENBERG way, with a lot of thoughts behind it”, says Andrea Drakenberg Daléus, Creative Director at Drakenberg. Andrea Drakenberg and Ellen

Commemorative Jewellery Design Competition

Commemorative Jewellery Design Competition Hockley Mint invites designers to get creative. Hockley Mint, the Birmingham-based manufacturer, which is located in the heart of the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter, is inviting jewellery designers to create a unique, one-off piece of jewellery that represents Hockley Mint’s standing in the industry and commemorates 25 years in business. Winning Design to be Made in Fairtrade Silver The winning jewellery piece will be made in Fairtrade silver and may contain elements of Fairtrade gold. It will be cast by Hockley Mint and unveiled at the International Jewellery London (IJL) show in September. It will then

Barbara Cartlidge (1922 - 2017)

Barbara Cartlidge, jewellery designer and Founder of the world famous Electrum Gallery has passed away aged 94 on 27 February 2017.  Renowned for her influential creativity and leadership in promoting contemporary art and studio based jewellery, Barbara Cartlidge will forever be hailed for her creative passion, knowledge, and as a driving force within the jewellery industry. Born in 1922 in Berlin, Germany, she later fled to London due to the war in 1938. Barbara went on to study jewellery design at London's renowned Central School of Arts and Crafts which resulted in a solo exhibition hosted by Heal's in 1960.

Unique Apprenticeships at Cockpit Arts

Unique Apprenticeships at Cockpit Arts  The only Apprenticeships of this kind being offered in the craft sector Cockpit Arts has launched a new and unique Apprenticeship Programme for the craft industry and is seeking young people to take up new positions as studio assistants.   The programme is the only one of its kind in the craft sector that gives young people transferrable skills to obtain work in any small and medium-sized creative enterprise. Piloted over the past few years, it is widely considered to be a pioneering initiative that helps craftspeople take on their first employees and offers an attractive employment route for young people choosing not to go to university. The new Apprenticeships

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.  

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

IJL Name Five Editor’s Choice Winners For 2016

The winners of IJL’s popular and hard-fought exhibitors’ competition, Editor’s Choice have been announced.  Chosen for their creative and innovative designs as well as commercial aptitude, the winning line-up includes David Miracca John Moore Jewellery Kickstarter Vicky Lew Samsares Jewelry from Switzerland and Tezer Design from Germany The judges, Claire Adler, luxury communications consultant and Financial Times contributor, and Event Director Sam Willoughby, selected the winners from a range of categories, which included the new category ‘German Style’ - in recognition of the quality and creativity of German craftsmanship, as part of the Market Focus for 2016.  Image caption or

Pitch Up 2017

Now in its third year, Pitch Up aims to give the nation’s most promising creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses and product ideas. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with our product specialists across a range of categories. As well as giving expert advice on positioning and product development, any successful pitches will be invited to sign up on the day with a significant one-off joining fee discount. We're asking attendees to sign up in advance to avoid disappointment on the day. You can see more information on the sign-up page here: www.notonthehighstreet.com/pitchup When:

Announced: Enjoia’t Award Winners 2016

On 30th of September the awards ceremony and party of Enjoia’t 2016 organized by Artists and Artisans of Fomento para las Artes Decorativas (A-FAD) took place at the garden of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, with a large attendance by the Spanish jewellery community. At the party, the creative shortlisted pieces were displayed, which were designed to consider small-scale production, using unforeseen materials and techniques. Twenty three semi-finalist designers presented their jewellery pieces during that same afternoon to the jury, which was the XXII edition of the event, The jury was presided over by the jeweller and member of A-FAD,

Pitch Up 2017 - Edinburgh

Notonthehighstreet.com is looking for the next generation of sellers Attendees have the chance to become part of the UK’s number one curated online marketplace The Not on the high Street team will be providing valuable advice regarding positioning, development and more on the day itself.  Now in its third year, Pitch Up aims to give the nation’s most promising creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses and product ideas. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with our product specialists across a range of categories. As well as giving expert advice on positioning and product development,

Rums Eg

There is an exciting opportunity for four artists, designers or craftsmen aged 18 or over to work in the Leckford Art Studio on the top floor at Rum's Eg, Hampshire for part or all of August 2017. Rum’s Eg is a contemporary gallery and arts space run by Hampshire Art & Craft CIC (Community Interest Company) which has over the last four years become a renowned centre of excellence for Art & Craft in the South of England. It was set up in 2012 as an accessible, affordable Art and Craft Gallery and creative hub, with a café, to support

Benchpeg Awards Judges 2016

Benchpeg is extremely excited to reveal the Judges for the Benchpeg Awards 2016. Each Judge is an expert in their field, which range from fashion markets, art jewellery, commerciality, manufacture, the craft, image making, design, creativity and innovation. They are listed below in alphabetical order. Kate Baxter - The Cut London Kate Baxter is a jewellery designer and founder of fine jewellery blog & consultancy The Cut London. With over 10 years’ experience working within the jewellery industry; as a designer for global brands and as a freelance creative, Kate brought her unique sense of innovation and intuition to launch

Top Drawer takes to the runway to present SS17 Trends

Design-led, international lifestyle event, Top Drawer, hosted its stand out Spring/Summer 17 (SS17) edition this January (15-17) at London Olympia. The must-see fashion show took centre stage presenting six key aesthetic trends for the upcoming SS17 season. The fashion show expertly showcased new directions in jewellery and accessories to inspire buyers to source with confidence, knowing what their customers will want to buy in the seasons ahead. Headline sponsor The Design Lab was the creative branding and strategy agency at the helm of this season’s catwalk. The dynamic fashion show featured key sponsors within the edit from Bahamian hand crafted

Colour Your World With Gemstones

Mineral crystal gemstones are without a doubt the cherry on top of the cake when it comes to the jewellery world and are hands down fully loaded with captivating myths, folklore and legends! With a fascinating plethora of coloured gemstones knocking about in the world, the variety of healing properties and metaphorical symbolism behind each stone is specific, unique and communicates an individualistic creative energy to each wearer Newsflash! I am a girl (woah, shocking eh?). Therefore I like my Jewellery. If I find myself scampering around in the big wide world without my forever present bracelets, rings and shell

Welcoming A Bespoke Beauty: Vaessen | Walker

March has arrived in all its glory and as Spring begins to sprinkle her beauty upon the world, new jewellery brand Vassen | Walker have planted their roots in the jewellery world; blossoming with their  debut jewellery collection ALLORA. Louise Vaessen-Walker is the creative and founding director behind the contemporary jewellery and tableware brand where h er innovative collections have received much recognition both nationally and abroad. Louise has been commended in receiving a number of awards in both design and craftsmanship, most notably the London Assay Office Special Gold Award, and the 3D Innovative Technology Design Gold Award from

Pitch Up 2017

Now in its third year, Pitch Up aims to give the nation’s most promising creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses and product ideas.  Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with our product specialists across a range of categories.  As well as giving expert advice on positioning and product development, any successful pitches will be invited to sign up on the day with a significant one-off joining fee discount. We're asking attendees to sign up in advance to avoid disappointment on the day. You can see more information on the sign-up page here: www.notonthehighstreet.com/pitchup When:

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

Pitch Up 2017

Notonthehighstreet.com is looking for the next generation of sellers Attendees have the chance to become part of the UK’s number one curated online marketplace The Not on the high Street team will be providing valuable advice regarding positioning, development and more on the day itself.  Now in its third year, Pitch Up aims to give the nation’s most promising creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses and product ideas. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with our product specialists across a range of categories. As well as giving expert advice on positioning and product development,

The Snowflake Trail 2016

The Snowflake Trail returns for a third year on 1 December 2016 and Open Culture CIC and Liverpool BID Company are once again seeking proposals from artists and creative organisations to design and decorate fibreglass snowflakes to form part of the trail. The snowflakes will be 1.5m tall and will be installed for the duration of the trail, from 1 December 2016 – 3 January 2017. The 12 fibreglass snowflakes offer a blank, 3D canvas for selected artists to showcase their work to the vast audiences that visit the city centre over the busy Christmas period. We ask all artists

Artist Residency Opportunity - Yeovil Country Park, Somerset Art Works

Artist Residency Opportunity - Yeovil Country Park, Somerset Art Works Water – Meadow – Wood Somerset Art Works is delivering a three year artist residency programme at Yeovil Country Park following the themes of Water – Meadow – Wood. This three-year project is providing greater engagement with people and new opportunities to interpret the natural, cultural and historical heritage of Yeovil Country Park. The theme for 2017 and the final year of the project is ‘Wood’ the woodland as a place and as a habitat, providing inspiration for creative exploration. The artist appointed will deliver 15 participatory sessions through the

£10,000 Commission Opportunity

£10,000 Commission Opportunity: A New Creative Schools Project, artsdepot artsdepot is looking for artistic collaborators to work with us to devise, create and deliver an exciting and imaginative workshop programme for five schools in the London Borough of Barnet (two Primary, two Secondary, one SEN). The workshop programme will culminate in a presentation for the public to engage with and enjoy in the Apthorp Gallery at artsdepot in December 2017. We are interested in hearing from artists and companies from all disciplines and backgrounds, with exciting proposals for a project to inspire our local schools and community. You could be

The 2017 ‘GeoGems’ Benchpeg Christmas Decoration Designed by Kate Dugmore

This Autumn Benchpeg launched a competition open to Birmingham School of Jewellery students and alumni to design our annual Christmas Tree Decoration. We had some innovative, thoughtful and creative designs submitted in response to the quite constrained brief, but the winner selected by the Benchpeg team, was designed by Kate Dugmore. The design entitled ‘GeoGems’ has the illusion of shattered facets within a diamond form, which is both contemporary and challenging. Benchpeg creates a limited edition Christmas Tree Decoration each year, and Benchpeg’s Founder Rebecca van Rooijen wanted to open up the opportunity to design the decoration this year to

Record Number of UK Jewellers to Exhibit at Amsterdam's SIERAAD

Eighteen UK art jewellers and SIERAAD Art Jewellery Fair in Amsterdam are working to help keep artistic ties between the UK and Europe strong and fresh despite the recent UK vote to leave the European Union. A decision that has caused a great deal of division, instability and uncertainty. This year a record number of UK jewellers will be exhibiting at SIERAAD 2016 which takes place at The Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam between 10th -13th November 2016. The eighteen art jewellers are the cream of UK talent carefully selected for their innovative and creative approach to jewellery as an art form. Astrid

The Fashion Awards 2016 Winners Announced

The British Fashion Council announced the winners of The Fashion Awards 2016 this week at the Royal Albert Hall. 4,000 members of the industry and the public gathered to watch this year’s awards, where an international set of winners were announced at a larger ceremony than ever before. The room was a who’s who of the fashion industry and their muses; business leaders, creative influencers, global brands, fashion icons and designers from across the globe came together to celebrate their industry.  Notable attendees included Anna Wintour OBE, Carine Roitfeld, Dame Natalie Massenet, David Beckham OBE, Domhnall Gleeson, Gigi Hadid, Joan

IJL 2016 Showcases Record Number of Award Winning Designer Brands

This week IJL is set to showcase a set of exclusive ‘Designer Brands’ at its showcase Olympia event. The show will feature a record number of 17 designers within an expanded area of the show, displaying both silver and fine Jewellery. Elite designers from the UK, alongside those from Sweden, Australia and Brazil, will present the very best in fine and contemporary jewellery with the launch of exciting new collections, as well as acclaimed signature pieces. Sam Willoughby, IJL Event Director, commented, “This year’s Designer Brands showcase is a wonderful celebration of the best in creative flair and innovative talent.

Full Time Setter, Nicholas Wylde -Bath Store

Full Time Setter – Bath Store Nicholas Wylde Bath NEW YEAR, NEW JOB in the beautiful city of Bath Nicholas Wylde is recognised to be one of the leading designer jewellers in the Southwest specialising in delivering stunning individual pieces of jewellery and providing a highly reputable standard of service in the beautiful cities of Bath and Bristol. We are looking for a full time Setter to join our team in the main workshop located in our Bath Store. The candidate must be experienced and confident in setting to a very high standard, all styles, including Micro setting. Confident in

Goldsmith, Nicholas Wylde -Bath Store

Full Time Setter – Bath Store Nicholas Wylde Bath NEW YEAR, NEW JOB in the beautiful city of Bath Nicholas Wylde is recognised to be one of the leading designer jewellers in the Southwest specialising in delivering stunning individual pieces of jewellery and providing a highly reputable standard of service in the beautiful cities of Bath and Bristol. We are looking for a full time Goldsmith to join our team in our workshop located in our Bath Store. The candidate must have a good level of bench skills covering basic commissions, repairs, setting, good communication skills, and to be able

Goldsmith / Jobbing Jeweller, Gold Arts - Eastbourne

The role Goldsmith / Jobbing Jeweller  Gold Arts Eastbourne We’re a family run independent manufacturing jewellers with ten branches and five workshops based along the Sussex coast. We are looking to hire a full time Goldsmith for our onsite workshop in our Eastbourne branch. The work involved will be everything from standard repairs, ring resizing, retipping, polishing & cleaning castings, up to working on bespoke jobs. It’s important to be actively involved in the process of manufacturing and decision making on how to do certain repairs / designs. We’re looking for a friendly presentable individual capable of working with a

News Edit: 3 September 2023

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news...   Harry Winston’s New Jewels, Red Trends, Gagosian Spotlights Lichtenstein and More WSJ: The best releases, trends and openings to discover right now. www.wsj.com Brazil’s jewellery scandal adds to Jair Bolsonaro’s legal woes FT: Probe over expensive foreign gifts damages hard-right former president’s ability to build a political legacy. www.ft.com Creative Designs in Gold Are Taking the Spotlight This Fall NY Times: An exhibition by Chaumet in October will feature 56 jewels and objets d’art from its archives. www.nytimes.com A New Jewelry Fair Is Scheduled in 2024 NY Times:

2 x London Stratford Studio Spaces £150 pm inc bills, Available Now

2 x London Stratford Studio  Spaces  £150 pm inc bills, Available Now Bench   space  supplied Shared Torch area & propane gas supply Use of Durston Rolling mill Small polisher Small & large vice Metal guillotine Pickle pot Tree trunks for hammering  Shared central design table Shelf  space Shared Chemical storage 24hour access & security Post box Great transport links to Stratford  30mins to Hatton Garden (Tools on the bench not included) We are a warm, creative and professional bunch of independent jewellers & metal smiths. Looking for someone who is self motivated and independent. For more details contact me Elsa

New Hatton Garden Jewellery Hub Opening Soon!

Join Our Club! New Hatton Garden Jewellery Hub Opening Soon! FORGE is a multi-purpose creative hub & retail outlet with a focus on jewellery making. We connect skilled artisans & discerning consumers sharing an appreciation for creativity, craft & unique design. Supporting the jewellery community, FORGE provides affordable bench space & workshop facilities to practicing UK-artisans & hosts pop-up showcases in-store & online. Visit our website to learn more about this unique destinations & to view our Memberships & Packages. Join us by 9th October to take full advantage of our *EARLY BIRD* discounts & 2 for 1 offers on:

CSM Shows 2023 🎓

Central Saint Martins Shows 2023: Art, Design, Innovation, Culture, Materials 🎓 In Summer 2023, a new generation of artists, designers, curators, performers and innovators embark on fresh and amazing adventures. Join us at Granary Square as we celebrate the inspiration, energy and creative intelligence of our graduating students. Exhibiting courses: BA Architecture BA Ceramic Design BA Culture, Criticism and Curation BA Fine Art BA Graphic Communication Design BA Jewellery Design BA Performance: Design and Practice BA Product and Industrial Design BA Textile Design M ARCH: Architecture MA Biodesign MA Character Animation  MA Cities MA Design (Ceramic, Furniture, Jewellery) MA Graphic Communication

News Edit: 15 October 2023

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news...   Objet D’Emotion Presents Independent, Haute Luxe Jewelry Designers At PAD London Fair Forbes: Original, high luxury jewelry creations from independent designers and niche brands have long sparked jewelry trends due to fresh styles, intriguing materials, artistic silhouettes and irresistible allure. www.forbes.com Offbeat forms meet precious materials in Ana Khouri’s high jewellery Wallpaper: Jewellery designer Ana Khouri is named one of the Wallpaper* USA 300, as we celebrate creative America. Here we discover her new high jewellery. www.wallpaper.com Michelle Keegan Wore Rahul Mishra Couture To The Bulgari Frieze London

News Edit:18 April 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Grand National 2021: NI silversmith designs winner's trophy BBC: It is the world's most famous horse race and Northern Ireland will be represented on the winner's podium no matter who comes first. www.bbc.co.uk Grand National trophy's Northern Ireland designer hails 'amazing' win Belfast Telegraph: Top Northern Ireland designer and silversmith Cara Murphy - who designed the stunning trophy presented to Grand National-winning Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore - has said she hopes her work will inspire a new generation of creative artists here. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk All That Glitters: meet the

VOICE - Vicenzaoro International Community Event

VOICE - Vicenzaoro International Community Event Vicenza Expo Centre 12-14 September 2020 Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting , the first independent Observatory created by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) that specializes in jewellery forecasting, presents the much-awaited volume during the live event TV TALK – PREDICTIONS @ VOICE – A Forecasting Event | Presenting Seasons 2022, the seminar scheduled for Monday, 14 September at 2.30 pm, organized into three sessions: Emerging Phenomena, Jewellery Panorama and Forecast 2022. On The Stage of Voice, the interactive stage set up in the heart of Hall 7,  the event’s presenters and moderators during the talk-show, Paola De Luca, Founder and Creative Director of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, and David Brough, Founder

Garden Installation, Sudbury Hall and The National Trust Museum of Childhood

Garden Installation, Sudbury Hall and The National Trust Museum of Childhood Brief: Creative Installation for the garden at Sudbury Hall and The National Trust Museum of Childhood, The Children’s Country House  What is The Children’s Country House?  Sudbury Hall and The National Trust Museum of Childhood is undergoing a transformation into The Children’s Country House. A space with three components: a 17th century mansion, a Museum of Childhood and gardens are being united as an immersive heritage experience where children are put first. The Children’s Country House is about creating a place where children feel empowered, important, engaged and that they matter.     What do we want?   We

News Edit: 16 August 2020

Here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   Israeli Jewellery Company Designs 'World's Most Expensive' Coronavirus Face Mask Worth $1.5M Independent: An Israeli jewellery company is designing what it says will be the most expensive coronavirus face mask. independent.co.uk ‘I like the idea of a powerful mother and daughter linked by style’ FT: Boucheron creative director Claire Choisne on why heirloom pieces – from perfumes to jewels – are the most precious things in life. ft.com When Dior Joaillerie Met The Colourful World of Tie-Dye... Harpers Bazaar: The French luxury Maison incorporates a fun twist into

Contemporary British Silversmiths Members win Scholarships

The  South House Silver Workshop Trust  has recently announced it has awarded two fully funded six-month Graduate Apprentice Scheme residential scholarships and an additional four in collaboration with its partners. giving talented and committed silversmiths an opportunity to develop their creative and technical skills with silversmiths Rod Kelly and Brett Payne. The winners are: Six-month Graduate Apprenticeships: Jessica Jue  &  Ellys Woods One month scholarships: Sarah Shelton Palmer The Jamie McDonald Kelly Scholarship   Fenella Watson The Saunders Scholarship Loucinda Nims The Pearson Foundation Scholarship Charlotte Tollyfield The South House Silver Workshop Trust Scholarship The call for applications was made here: benchpeg .

The Invitation of Victor H.

The Invitation of Victor H. 10 October 2019 - 15 March 2020 BeCraft Gallery, Belgium A timeless creative parenthesis, a dialogue between Belgian architectural heritage and contemporary applied arts, the fruit of Victor Horta. How to take inspiration from Victor Horta without doing "Victor Horta"? BeCraft's artists take a contemporary look at the Belgian architect's unmissable work, which carries with it a major artistic movement of modern art . His personal home and studio, features of Art Nouveau at its peak, have been widely preserved his creations. What to impress but also to inspire contemporary artists, because working in the wake of Horta is in itself

Transition

Transition , a group of recent MA postgraduates from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, is showcasing their latest work at the Old Fire Station Gallery, 52 Market Place, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2AG from  24 th  – 29 th  January 2019.  This exhibition, called  Transition-Henley  presents established makers who work in diverse disciplines including glass, jewellery, metal, textiles and product design. Innovative artworks express messages of ethnic unity by means of textile structures, show how the random weaving of willow can create beautiful forms and spaces, highlight the use of plant dyes in woven wool rugs, communicate the hidden distress of mental illness

Q&A: Rosie Fortescue

BAFTA award winning reality TV personality, fashion blogger, style writer and jewellery designer  Rosie Fortescue answers the benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? RF: Rosie Fortescue, jewellery designer and fashion blogger. How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? RF: I have been obsessed with jewellery for as long as I can remember so it seemed the natural progression of fulfilling my dream. How would you describe your work to someone who doesn’t know it? RF: I design affordable luxury jewellery from women of all ages. What is your creative process? RF: I write down

Market Entry Programme, Centre for Fashion Enterprise

Call for Applications: Market Entry Programme, Centre for Fashion Enterprise Open to London-based Fashion, Jewellery, Accessory and FashTech SME’s, the Market Entry Programme empowers businesses with essential knowledge and tools to develop their business infrastructure and growth strategies, enabling them to support their creative abilities. What does it include? The fully subsidised 2-day business support programme delivered by industry experts will cover topics including: Business Planning Finance Accountancy Legal & IP Range planning Costing & pricing Production Sales strategies Digital, Marketing & PR A one-on-one exit diagnostic session will be available for each business completing the 2 days of support. Who can apply? All

Top Drawer 2018

Top Drawer Spring/Summer 18 Edition SPRING/ SUMMER 18 14 - 16 January 2018  Olympia, London Top Drawer, the creative powerhouse for inspired retailers returns to London Olympia on 14-16 January 2018. The Spring/Summer 18 edition will present over 1,500 leading and undiscovered UK and international brands, expertly curated and chosen for their beautiful design, exceptional quality, originality and commercial appeal.  Encompassing the dynamic sectors of Home, Gift, Fashion, Greetings & Stationery, Children’s, Wellbeing, Spotted, Craft and Food Emporium. Top Drawer provides unique access to this season's hottest new design-led products giving buyers the ultimate choice for a successful season.  The S/S18

Agustina Ros: A Glass Adventure

Agustina Ros is a young and promising glass jewelry artist who combines the sensitivity of art and the resolution of design. Born in Misiones, Argentina, she currently lives in Barcelona, the city where she has chosen to open her own studio with an international vision. Focused on the use of blown borosilicate glass, some pieces are then finished with metals such as gold and silver, and polished to improve the reflection of light. Her hungry desire to experiment, create and improve has already led her to receive several awards and to affirm the presence of her collections in international and creative contexts. Her creations are flexible interpretations of clean and organic forms, in which transparency represents the values of purity and originality.

Murphy-Johnson flashes her pearly whites in new 'Brace Yourself' collection

Talented young jewellery designer Lili Murphy-Johnson, 25, whose previous collections have been inspired by powerful messages surrounding menstruation and male genitals, has once again looked outside conventional influences for her latest range entitled 'Brace Yourself'. This Central Saint Martin’s graduate has delved deep into the human mouth to get her creative juices flowing and has come up with an intepretation of 'Pearly White Teeth' for a collection that is both outlandish and outstanding.  She has picked up a theme that first surfaced in 2013 when, as a student at CSM, she designed a 'Pearly Whites Bracelet' for the V&A museum

Gemfields Recognised With The Chopard GCC Award

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Creative Director of Swiss luxury jewellery and watch company Chopard, launched The Chopard Green Carpet Collection Award in Cannes last week. Mining organisations that have played a key role in  Chopard’s  Green Carpet Collections were present at the events. Livia and Colin Firth, together with Caroline  Scheufele , took this opportunity to honour  Chopard’s  strategic suppliers who all share the same social and environmental values, awarding them the  Chopard  GCC Award for Commitment to Sustainability and Social Justice.  The awardees were: Gemfields ,  Kagem  mine , Zambia Lucara ,  Karowe  mine , Botswana Aurora Gems Pty

Head of Customer Service, Brown & Newirth - Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Head of Customer Service Brown & Newirth Hatfield, Hertfordshire Role Overview We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and hands-on Head of Customer Service to lead our customer service department. You will be responsible for driving excellence in customer interactions, ensuring every customer touchpoint reflects our brand values of quality, precision, and dedication. This role is integral to enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty and ensuring high standards of customer service are maintained. Key Responsibilities Leadership: Lead and inspire a team of customer service professionals, fostering a culture of exceptional customer care. Strategy Development: Develop and implement customer service strategies that align