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Opportunities - Funding

Taking a chance can be pivotal for increasing success. Here, you can browse opportunities to grow and strengthen your business.  

Craft Town given funding boost

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

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

Toye Kenning & Spencer secure £1M funding

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund Debt Finance, managed by Maven Capital Partners, has provided Toye Kenning & Spencer Limited, the oldest continuously operating company in Birmingham, with a £1 million loan to invest in equipment, improve facilities and support growth of the business. Established in 1685, Toye manufactures a range of medals, regalia, bespoke jewellery, badges, including coloured ribbons, braids and laces, used in the production of ceremonial uniforms and gowns. The firm has held a Royal Warrant to the British Royal Family without interruption since the reign of Queen Victoria to the current monarch Queen Elizabeth the II. Toye

COVID-19 Business Support - Additional Funding Sources

We've compiled a round up of the most up to date Information for jewellery businesses... we hope its useful. Updated: 19 June 2020 Chancellor announces measures for economy in support package Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has unveiled a number of measures – including paying £1,000 to employers for each employee they bring back from furlough - to aid the UK’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The measures announced by the Chancellor today include: A jobs retention bonus of £1,000, per employer, for businesses bringing back employees from furlough and continuously employing them from November until January VAT

Opsydia Secures Investment to Drive Growth in its Innovative Security Solutions for the Diamond Sector

The UK-based laser technology specialist welcomes significant funding from three core investors to support the next phase of its growth and development.  Leading gemstone security specialist, Opsydia, has secured significant funding to kickstart the next phase of its development and support its continued growth in the international diamond and coloured stone industries. The investment will enable the wider roll-out of Opsydia’s secure laser inscription technology to international businesses, including numerous new client acquisitions in 2021/22. The funding will also enable Opsydia to expand its sales team and invest further in its Oxford-based production facilities. Elsewhere, the injection of funds will

New Scholars & Apprentices Announced

QEST have announced the recipients of awarded funding to 22 new Scholars and 3 Apprentices working across the UK in a varied range of crafts.  QEST have announced the recipients of awarded funding to 22 new Scholars and 3 Apprentices working across the UK in a varied range of crafts. The 25 new craftspeople have recently been awarded QEST funding to further their training and education, making the total grants awarded this year £450,000 to 47 makers. The new Scholars and Apprentices include makers working in architectural origami, thatching, knifemaking, woodturning, the endangered craft of sporran making and much more.

Crafts Council host FREE online expert discussions

Crafts Council host fortnightly expert discussions The Crafts Council have announced the launch of a series of online discussions which will cover funding, legal advice, e-commerce and website optimisation. The events will be free online discussions with industry experts to support craft businesses.  For more information and to book www.eventbrite.co.uk

Brighton entrepreneur opens 'The Crop'

Luxury jewellery shop, The Crop, has opened its doors in the North Laine area of Brighton with the support of a five-figure funding package from NatWest. Entrepreneur and jeweller Kerry Huff has used £50,000 of finance from NatWest, alongside a personal investment of more than £150,000 to acquire a 10-year lease for the Sydney Street premises and complete an extensive retail fit out. Funding from NatWest has enabled Kerry to undertake an extensive refurbishment programme, which includes bespoke fixtures and furnishings, as well as ensure the retail outlet is fully stocked. She has also created two therapy rooms on the

Opportunities knock for youngsters at BAJ event

Soon to be graduates of the British Academy of Jewellery will get their chance to impress movers and shakers in the British jewellery industry at a special networking event where dreams could turn into reality for the next generation of jewellers looking to progress. A group of trade members, doubling up as potential employers, are being invited to meet the students and their teachers over lunch where they can discuss the BAJ's apprenticeship programme and the funding before they are given a tour of the workshops to find out more about the training. Students of the “Preparation for the Jewellery

Mercury Free Mining and the Alliance for Responsible Mining Work to Reduce Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has awarded a $50,000 grant to Mercury Free Mining (MFM) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) to focus on mitigating mercury use in artisanal gold mining in Ananea, Peru.  The grant provides funding to evaluate ore-testing processes that have the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate the inadvertent release of 5,440 kg of toxic mercury every day by more than 15 million artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) around the world.  “We’re delighted that this GIA grant supports the discovery and implementation of efficient gold ore concentration methods that may help free millions

Joy Bonfield-Colombara awarded QEST Scholarship

QEST has recently awarded a scholarship to jeweller Joy Bonfield-Colombara to further her training. Joy is an artist and goldsmith who creates jewellery and small-scale sculpture in gold, silver and bronze. She has a BA in Jewellery and Silversmithing from the Glasgow School of Art, and an MA in Jewellery and Metal from the Royal College of Art. Much of her work is inspired by classical Roman and Greek art, which she gives a distinctive contemporary twist. Since graduating she has exhibited both nationally and internationally, and has work in international galleries and museums. Her website is:  https://joybc.co.uk Joy’s QEST funding

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

How can Apprentices help your Business ?

Apprenticeships: How can Apprentices help your Business ? Are you an employer looking to engage with the next generation  of  talent? Join us at BAJ London or Birmingham to find out about the new Apprenticeship Standard for Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional. Our team  of  experts will be  on  hand to provide IAG  on   re cruiting an Apprentice, as well as information  on  the programme, funding, and delivery.    You'll even get to see our premises and student work, giving you a comprehensive understanding  of  everything our programme has to  of fer. We understand that  re cruiting an

Benchpeg Offer: Sold Out Tickets Available

This week, we are delighted to announce that Benchpeg are the official Media Partners for Make Your Mark 2019. With over 600 students and graduates already booked to attend, it looks set to be a fantastic event. Benchpeg has supported the jewellery industry for over 10 years now and in particular, those making their first steps into the industry. We have done this through our weekly newsletter, careers advice, jobs boards, funding opportunities to mention just a few and we love promoting beautiful work. Benchpeg at Make your Mark At this year’s Make Your Mark, Benchpeg will be on hand

Appointment: Russell Lownsbrough elected as Chair of Institute of Professional Goldsmiths

The Institute of Professional Goldsmiths promotes and supports craftspeople of the highest calibre, who produce only the finest workmanship. The Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG) held it's 36th Annual General Meeting on the 26th of February where a new Chairman, Russell Lownsbrough FIPG, was appointed with universal approval by attendees.  Two new members were also admitted to the Executive Committee, Wayne Meeten FIPG and Danila Tarcinale FIPG. The members attending were informed of the IPG's activities and the efforts of the committee on their behalf. Most significant amongst these being the mentoring scheme recently set up with funding from the

From The Greenhouse @ The Scottish Gallery

From The Greenhouse @ The Scottish Gallery  The Scottish Gallery presents From The Greenhouse , an exhibition curated by Millie Behrens celebrating, for the first time collectively and in Scotland, three Norwegian jewellers all inspired by botany and the natural world. Millie, Ingjerd and Åse-Marit are extremely grateful to Norwegian Crafts for the funding that has helped to make this exhibition possible.  Knowing each other since the eighties through Art College and various other means, Millie, Ingjerd and Åse-Marit all realised they had a similar interest in botany and the natural world, leading them each to design and create contemporary

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

Appointment: Judith Cobham-Lowe OBE the first woman Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company

Wednesday 17 May marked the installation of trailblazing Londoner,    Judith Cobham-Lowe OBE,  as the first woman Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company. Judith has a background in academia, corporate strategy and business leadership, and her year as Prime Warden will launch the decade running up to the 700th Anniversary of the Company's first Royal Charter. At least £70m  will be gifted by the Livery Company and its Charity over the next 10 years in support of the gold and silversmiths’ trade, apprentice training and other charitable activities.   Recent projects include:   Funding the ‘Worship and Life’ section of

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