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Give the Gift of Time

It's that time of year full of festive cheer but the quest for finding that perfect gift can set your patience on fire! As your list of errands become never-ending, pop your feet up, grab a jug of mulled wine and let Benchpeg guide you through a gift guide guaranteed to stand the test of time. How about something sparkly for your sister, something bright for your niece, sleek and sharp for your brother or what about something dainty for your ? When it comes to picking the perfect timepiece, the array of styles, designs and fits are endless! We've got your

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,

A gift, an idea and some generosity

Benchpeg has met Ebba Goring a few times now. She has a generosity of spirit which shines through as soon as you meet her. You can feel the warmth of personality she emits as you approach her to say hello. She’s also a fiercely intelligent woman which is conveyed through carefully considered words, a warm countenance and an extraordinary vision for what could be. But she’s also a person of action, and these attributes very rarely collide in a single person. As CEO of the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) she is in an enviable leadership position within an entire country

Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones by Sally Spencer FGA DGA

Jewellers, have you ever experienced that heart-stopping moment when you've accidently damaged a gemstone? As a gemmologist & jeweller, I understand the frustration & potential financial loss when a gemstone is damaged. This guide is specifically designed for jewellers, sharing valuable gemmological information to help prevent costly mishaps. Keep this guide on your bench as a quick reference when designing, setting or working on any piece of jewellery. Covering a wide range of gemstones, from common amethyst to rarer sillimanite, this resource provides crucial information on each stone's durability . Further information includes: Will a gemstone survive contact with

Cockpit Summer Open Studios - Deptford

Cockpit Summer Open Studios 2024 - Deptford Deptford 13 - 15 June 2025 Summer open studios returns to Cockpit this June with new makers and an exciting public programme Summer Open Studios returns to Cockpit for two weekends this June (5-8 June and 13-15 June), offering visitors a unique opportunity to discover and purchase work from the UK’s leading artist-makers. The perfect way to start your summer, Open Studios is a celebration of craft and making where visitors can pick up the perfect Father’s Day or summer wedding gift, get inspired at a talk or workshop and discover the brightest

PRESS RELEASE: Merci Maman Launches Lucky Charm Pearl Collection – Just in Time for the Festive Season

French personalised jewellery brand Merci Maman is delighted to unveil its Lucky Charm Pearl Collection , a beautifully handcrafted new range launching just in time for the festive season. Merging timeless elegance with meaningful symbolism, the collection features delicate pearls paired with intricately designed lucky charms , offering the perfect personal touch for thoughtful Christmas gifting. Each piece is lovingly hand-engraved , creating one-of-a-kind keepsakes that celebrate luck, love, and life’s special moments . Whether you're searching for a heartfelt gift or a treasured addition to your own jewellery box, the Lucky Charm Pearl Collection brings a little magic and

Cockpit Summer Open Studios - Bloomsbury

Cockpit Summer Open Studios 2025 - Bloomsbury Bloomsbury 5 - 8 June 2025 Summer open studios returns to Cockpit this June with new makers and an exciting public programme Summer Open Studios returns to Cockpit for two weekends this June (5-8 June and 13-15 June), offering visitors a unique opportunity to discover and purchase work from the UK’s leading artist-makers. The perfect way to start your summer, Open Studios is a celebration of craft and making where visitors can pick up the perfect Father’s Day or summer wedding gift, get inspired at a talk or workshop and discover the brightest

PRESS RELEASE: Merci Maman Launches Meaningful Matching Jewellery for Father’s Day

Celebrated French jewellery brand Merci Maman is delighted to announce the launch of its Father’s Day Collection, available from 26th May 2025. This heartfelt range captures the spirit of connection and celebrates the special bond between dads and their families — with personalised matching pieces for him, her, and their children. Known for its beautifully hand-engraved, meaningful jewellery, Merci Maman’s collection offers timeless and versatile designs crafted in premium materials. Each piece can be personalised with names, initials, dates, or short messages, making it a truly unique gift that fathers will cherish for years to come. Whether you're looking to

Spring Fair 2024

Spring Fair 2024 NEC Birmingham 4 - 7 February 2024 As the UK's most popular and diverse marketplace for Home, Gift, Fashion and Everyday products, Spring Fair brings the people of the retail industry together so they can discover the latest products and trends. Join this season’s show and find products your customers will love! Explore thousands of products from the most innovative exhibitors in the industry. As THE sourcing destination for the retail industry, Spring Fair showcases the latest products and gives you insight into current retail trends, whatever sector you're in. With both new and trusted exhibitors projected to visit this

Vanilla Ink The Smiddy Creates San Martín Quaich

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

Maison Poiray Celebrates A Mother’s Endless Love

Since a mother’s love is a priceless gift that should be treasured, Maison Poiray is celebrating this unique bond with a jewellery selection filled with emotion, perfect for European Mother’s Day. In honour of all mothers, past, present and future, Maison Poiray has precious pieces that symbolise eternal love. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate those unique bonds forged over generations, full of love, tenderness and legacy. Cœur Entrelacé, a true declaration of love. The perfect tribute to emotional ties, the CŒUR Entrelacé collection embodies the unwavering love that unites a mother and her child. These delicate designs

Wax Carving for Jewellers by Russell Lownsbrough FIPG & Danila Tarcinale FIPG

Wax Carving for Jewellers by Russell Lownsbrough FIPG & Danila Tarcinale FIPG This practical guide introduces the techniques to this age-old method through a series of guided exercises and projects, and demonstrates how exciting it can be. Wax carving is like sculpture for jewellery and allows enormous creativity, as so many different forms can be made. Drawing on the experience of two master wax-carvers, it also gives invaluable advice on the finish of your cast pieces and how to reproduce them. With over 400 colour photos, it give advice on setting up for wax carving, tools, tool-making and materials. There

Design for Jewellery Makers: Inspiration, development and creation

Design for Jewellery Makers: Inspiration, development and creation by Louise Seijen ten Hoorn A clear, comprehensive and practical 'how-to' guide and resource for all aspects of designing jewellery. This book contains expert guidance on design and the design process, and includes step-by-step project briefs and themes for readers to use as a basis for developing their own ideas. It is suitable for all intermediate and professional jewellery makers, as well as those attending jewellery-making courses and who have taken up jewellery making as a hobby. The book explores the design process in depth, from fundamentals of jewellery design such as

Design for Jewellery Makers: Inspiration, development and creation

Advanced Jewellery CAD Modelling in Rhino

Advanced Jewellery CAD Modelling in Rhino by Jack Meyer This detailed guide is written for intermediate and experienced Rhino 3D CAD users who wish to improve their understanding of NURBS and subdivision modelling methods in Rhino 3D. It explains how 3D modelling applies to jewellery and manufacturing through a combination of step-by-step tutorials, analysis of the software techniques and demonstrations of real world case studies. Packed with essential techniques and strategies, it can be used as a self-learning tool or a classroom text to take your use of Rhino's 3D NURBS and subdivision modelling tools to a higher level. This

Design for Jewellery Makers: Inspiration, development and creation

Benchpeg's Bookshelf Book List

We all enjoy a good read. Our bookshelf has been hand-picked. Design for Jewellery Makers: Inspiration, development and creation A clear, comprehensive and practical 'how-to' guide and resource for all aspects of designing jewellery. This book contains expert guidance on design and the design process, and includes step-by-step project briefs and themes for readers to use as a basis for developing their own ideas. It is suitable for all intermediate and professional jewellery makers, as well as those attending jewellery-making courses and who have taken up jewellery making as a hobby. The book explores the design process in depth, from

Autumn Jewels 2025

Autumn Jewels 15 th – 26 th October 2025 Walford Mill, Wimborne Join ACJ Wessex at Walford Mill, Wimborne for Autumn Jewels, an inspiring exhibition of contemporary jewellery. From 15th–26th October 2025, discover unique, handcrafted pieces by talented makers from across the region. Expect bold designs, sustainable materials, and exquisite craftsmanship – perfect for collectors, gift seekers, and jewellery lovers alike. www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk 16 of our members will be exhibiting in the gallery. Nic Monks | Website: www.nicmonks.co.uk Vanessa Sharp | Website: www.vanessasharpsilver.co.uk Gillian Hackett | Website: www.gillianhackettjewellery.co.uk Sarra Parmee | Website: www.silvercubs.com Sylvia Tomkinson | Website: www.sylviatomkinson.co.uk Jo Richards |