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Commission for site-specific social seating

Public Art Commission - Site Specific Social Seating ‘a space’ arts are now inviting Expressions of Interest, from visual artists with a socially engaged practice, to work as part of a project team to design and produce a new work of public art. A prominent outdoor area has been set aside, at the former Ford Factory, on Wide Lane, Southampton, which is becoming home to a new logistics park, and we are looking for an artist to assist the development of ‘site-specific social seating’. To Express Your Interest To express your interest in the project: Please thoroughly read through the

Business: Marketing & Social Media

We all enjoy a good read. Our bookstore has been hand-picked to offer you inspiring resources. 

Weston Beamor increases presence on Social Media

Over the past ten months, Weston Beamor, the Birmingham casting house, 3D printing and bespoke manufacturing company, has made a concerted effort to extend its reach across various forms of digital media. The results have been extremely encouraging, as evidenced by the significant increase in their followers on numerous social media platforms. Since June 2016 Victoria Maher, a Customer Service Administrator at Weston Beamor, has been managing the company’s social media channels in addition to her day-to-day role. Maher has sought to kick-start the company’s online presence by distributing posts covering a diverse array of topics, including bespoke jewellery, castings,

London Fashion Week 2020

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

Applications Open for Elements 2021

Call for Applications: Elements 2021 Applications are now open for Elements 2021. This years’ event will operate in a ‘blended’ style of online and in-person events, including a new Elements e-commerce platform to run from September - November, pop-up selling events, an exhibition and talks. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to produce our festival in November at the Lyon & Turnbull showrooms as we would have pre-COVID due to capacity and social distancing restrictions that may still be in place for large events. We are developing some in-person events along with well-curated digital opportunities. The health

V&A launch open-call for homemade signs and rainbow drawings created during lockdown

The V&A has today announced an open-call for homemade signs created during lockdown to enter its permanent collection. From rainbow signs created by children to shop signs and hand-written notes posted in public spaces, the V&A is seeking signs that have been created by individuals and communities in response to the current isolation measures.  During social distancing, homemade signs have become commonplace on our streets. Whether they state temporary closure of a business, express messages of hope or critique, or raise awareness for a good cause, these signs have become a prominent way for us to communicate with the outside world during

Public Art Commission, Medway Council

Public Art Commission, Medway Council Medway Council is seeking multiple artists/companies to create a range of temporary public artworks across our five town centres of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham to reinforce essential safety and wellbeing messages relating to COVID-19. These include social distancing, hand washing, staying alert to symptoms, test and trace, using contactless payment where possible, wearing face coverings. This opportunity is open to professional artists or organisations, and would also suit a student, graduate or emerging artist at the beginning of their career. We are particularly keen to hear from artists or organisations based in Medway. 

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

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

Part Time Social Media & Marketing Assistant, E.C. One - Clerkenwell, London

The Role Part Time Social Media & Marketing Assistant, E.C One the Jewellers (4 Days a week) E.C. One is the award winning jewellers based in Clerkenwell, London who are renowned for offering both designer and precious fine jewellery. Voted as ‘The Most Inspiring Jewellers in the UK’ as well as ‘Best for Fashion’ , and ‘Best Boutique Jewellers’ . We are currently looking for a Part Time Social Media & Marketing Assistant to join our happy team. The Role The ideal candidate will work closely with our Website Manager to create engaging content for the company's social media presence. This

Sustainable Luxury and Social Entrepreneurship: Stories from the Pioneers

Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies

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

Sustainable Luxury: Managing Social and Environmental Performance in Iconic Brands

Mining and Social Transformation in Africa (Routldege Studies in Development and Society)

Social Photography: Make All Your Smartphone Photos One in a Billion

Pinterest Power: Market Your Business, Sell Your Product, and Build Your Brand on the World's Hottest Social Network

Picture Perfect Social Media: A Handbook for Styling Perfect Photos for Posting, Blogging, and Sharing

Are you making the most out of social media for your business? You could earn twice as much on the average order through Pinterest, over Facebook, new study suggests

Marketing yourself and your business can be tricky, and time consuming. The truth is no one knows your audience like you. However, if you're looking for new ways to shake up your strategy, a new study by Nosto may shed some light on new avenues for success.  The study uncovers the true value of Pinterest and Instagram, showing that whilst they may not provide volume in term of traffic (compared to the liked of Facebook), they might encourage customers to spend more per order. While they drive relatively small amounts of traffic, Pinterest and Instagram deliver the highest average order values

Jessica Green

Meet Benchpeg's Social Media Manager. She heads up brand and strategy for our social channels.   Jessica Green Social Media Manager Jessica had been with Benchpeg for over a year now, and her understanding and comprehension of the brand and its raison d'être is second to none. Jess heads up our strategic brand planning and social media strategy. She is a third year Media and Communications student, and has a background in the Luxury Auto Industry. Jess is also the Funder / Editor of Gaming by Proxy, a blog for game appreciation: www.gamingbyproxy.com   Meet the rest of the team here . If you'd

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

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

Dialogues About Responsible Jewellery - JOYA Barcelona on Zoom

Origen Collective - Gold for Future:  Dialogues About Responsible Jewellery Zoom Lecture 5.00pm (GMT), 12 November 2020 As part of JOYA Barcelona part the Origen Collective invite attendees to a lecture via Zoom, of the Origen - Gold for Future collective, about the social commitment of Responsible Jewelry, on November 12 at 18:00 (Spanish time, 5.00pm UK time). The concern for social commitment and sustainability in jewellery is becoming more important nowadays. In this scenario, the Dialogues on Responsible Jewellery are presented as a space for exchange and debate around the challenges and opportunities of this new conception of jewellery

The Fore Trust

Funding: The Fore Trust The Fore Trust has announced that the next funding round to support the development of small charities, social enterprises and community interest companies will open for registrations on the 3rd April 2018 at 10 am. The Trust is offering development funding of up to £30,000 and business support to expand the capacity of small charities, social enterprises and community interest companies. To qualify applicant organisations will need to have a turnover of less than £1 million per year). To Apply To apply for funding, organisations must register at the start of each funding round. Numbers for

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

Folli Follie Partner with Photoslurp

Leading visual commerce and marketing platform Photoslurp has announced a partnership with the FF Group to improve their customers’ online shopping experience. The partnership gives flagship jewellery and accessory brands Links of London and Folli Follie the ability to gather user-generated content, such as hash-tagged photos, improving the path to purchase for customers by making them ‘shoppable’. “Social proof has always played an important role in building trust with customers ever more so in today’s digital world. With brand presence growing rapidly on social networks like Instagram, Photoslurp will ensure we are maximising both our engagement levels and our visual

Greenery: The Colour Set to Revive, Refresh, Renew

Welcome to the fresh and zesty world of Greenery15-0343, the Pantone colour blooming into 2017! Greenery is natures' authentic omnipresent hue of thriving; emblematic for vitality and the need to strip back to our organic state of being. After suffering a turbulent political and social upheaval throughout most of 2016, this yellow-green shade symbolises a need to reconnect to nature and a more grounded sense of purpose.  In a world monopolised by social media and technology, 'Greenery' reminds us of noticing the real truth and beauty in the natural aesthetics around us; a sense of escapism from our materialistic society and

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

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

Schofer Germany Successfully Recertified as Member of RJC

Chain company, Schofer Germany has been recertified in accordance with the Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices.  Managing Director, Mathias Kholhammer feels that the certification cements the company as a trustworthy partner, in addition to confirming its commitment to ethical, human rights, social and environmental topics. The managing director also notes that the next goal would be a certification in accordance with the RJC Chain of Custody.  Author:  Published: 

Anna Lewis: Stay

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

Handmade by Machines 2018

Call for Handmade by Machines 2018 Handmade by Machines is an exhibition and symposium in Dundee, Scotland, which celebrates the use of modern digital technologies integrated with handcraft. The call is looking for artefacts for the exhibition and papers for the symposium that investigate the integration of modern digital technologies within jewellery and 3D object design. They are particularly interested in work that addresses the areas of digital technologies for tooling, integrated practice, added value, social or economical impact and/or aesthetics. Submissions will be accepted in the form of a Paper or Artist Talk or poster. Submissions Submissions and abstracts

Masterpiece London 2017

Masterpiece London launched in 2010 with a unique focus on cross-collecting. Over the past seven years it has established itself as the leading international event for viewing and buying the finest works of art, from antiquity to the present day. This fusion of heritage and style, tradition and the contemporary draws close to 40,000 visitors each year for an exceptional week of cultural, culinary and social experiences in the heart of London. Located on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Masterpiece is an unmissable event at the height of the capital’s summer arts season. Dates 29th June -

Camden Pop-Up Business School - Small Business Resilience course

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

Bench Jeweller / Stone Setter, TJC - Feltham, London

The role Bench Jeweller / Stone Setter TJC Feltham, London Who we are TJC Established in 2006 and headquartered in the London area, TJC is an omni-channel retailer specialising in jewellery, home, beauty, fashion, gemstones, and other lifestyle accessories. TJC reaches over 25 million UK households via our live 24/7 TV Shopping channel and our e-commerce site. Our goal is to deliver trust, joy, and community to our employees and customers through our high-quality products and commitment to corporate social responsibility; we aim to touch people’s lives one piece at a time. Check us out at www.tjc.co.uk or on TV

I'm Working On It!

Maya Selway pledges in association with Fair Luxury to work towards making a positive change within the jewellery industry and use business as a force for good in 2021. Maya Selway Fine Jewellery has taken the next steps in moving towards being a business that nurtures a more sustainable environmental and social future by pledging with Fair Luxury to create jewellery that is handcrafted using only recycled gold, diamonds and sustainably sourced pearls. The first of these pieces have been added to her timeless Held collection and can be viewed as a capsule group at Tomfoolery in Muswell Hill as

Scott McIntyre, of Vanilla Ink, releases new stone setting manual

We love seeing those in our community flourish and share our vision of making jewellery knowlege accessible. Scott McIntyre, master goldsmith and recognised face of Vanilla Ink Studios has recently published a stone setting manual that will educate and inspire generations of jewellers to come. Scott's passion for creating beautiful jewellery is matched only by his passion for passing on his skills and expertise. Through Vanilla Ink's unique jewellery classes, as well as social media, Scott makes it his mission to inform and entertain the wonderful jewellery community. Now in the permanance of a book, Scott's mastery is enshrined.  Image

Ute Eitzenhöfer - Subtext - Galerie Marzee

Ute Eitzenhöfer - Subtext Galerie Marzee Netherlands Now - 22 May 2021 Ute Eitzenhöfer’s exhibition comprises three groups of work, united by an underlying  Subtext . Driven always by a desire to make jewellery that is not only adornment but also a medium for social comment, her first group,  Talk , confronts the power of words uttered, words broadcast through a microphone not written or printed, texted or tweeted. Formed like small microphones pinned to the lapel of a news reporter, these oxidised silver brooches set with tiny diamond chips and small pieces of onyx, trick the eye. Their appearance misleads

Vibrant meets Vintage in Fei Liu's new 'Victoriana' Collection

For Autumn Winter 2019 Fei Liu Fine Jewellery will launch their new 18ct gold ‘Victoriana’ collection, which will form as part of a campaign with their top ten retail partners.  Characterised by Fei Liu’s aesthetic of colour, three-dimension and femininity, the collection breathes new life into vintage inspired looks. The victorian-era stones are cut in two ways: the first being octagonal, popular in the Victorian Era, and the second is Octagonal, which is longer, giving it elegant appeal.  For the campaign, Victoriana will exclusively launch with ten chosen retail partners, and will be promoted through offline, on social media and through

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

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

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

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

EC One Leads the Way with Sustainability by Becoming B-Corp Certified

London based jewellery boutique E.C. One is leading the way in sustainability within the jewellery industry, by becoming only the second jeweller in the UK to be B-Corporation Certified and joining an established community of companies using business as a force for good.  The accreditation process to become a B-Corp involves an in-depth analysis of the business’ entire social and environmental performance, to assess its impact on its workers, community, environment and customers. Other well-known brands within the B-Corp community include: Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Eileen Fisher. Ethics and sustainability have long been high on the agenda at E.C. [youtube

Insta hashtags prompt sales in lockdown

The artist Matthew Burrows set up an artist-led movement and network on 16th March 2020 to support artists struggling financially during Covid-19 using the social media platform Instagram – with a simple pledge. The pledge #artistsupportpledge created a much needed route to market in lockdown for artists and makers. He released a statement saying that within a month “…from making the first sales pledge I am a little awe struck yet completely delighted by the momentum and viral take up of this campaign. It is not just an important network and survival mechanism for artists: It has become a global Hear

News Edit: 28 March 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   1970s model, muse and jewellery designer, Elsa Peretti, dies aged 80 Tatler: The Florentine jewellery designer who helmed Tiffany & Co was a regular on the New York social scene at Studio 54 alongside Halston, Andy Warhol and Liza Minnelli. www.tatler.com Why an artist is turning pandemic waste into jewellery Live Mint: Argentina's Marcelo Toledo is collecting recycled covid-19 waste, including masks and syringes, to make accessories and sculptures. livemint.com Jewellery Distributor On The Move Insider Media: A Cambridgeshire-based jewellery service distributor has acquired new premises after reporting

Classic Blue 19-4052: Pantone Colour of the Year 2020

For over 20 years, Pantone's Colour of the Year has influenced the design and buying decisions acorss several indsutries, including industrial design, interior furnishings, fashion and graphic design to name a few.  Pantone colour experts comb the world looking for new influences, including fashion and travel destinations, new technologies, textures, socio-economic conditions and social media trends that are capturing the world's attention. From these seasonal trend forecasts, Pantone forecast global colour movements to help advise companies on the modern best practise of brand visual identity. This annual colour psychology and colour consulting gives global brands the power to expedite their

News Edit: 17 May 2020

As we find our 'new normal' here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   Chopard taps actress and environmentalist Marion Cotillard to model its ethical jewels LifeStyle Asia: With the world going on reset mode lately, everyone has gotten a rare chance to pause and reflect on how we’ve been so preoccupied by packed work and social schedules, the blind obsessions for possession and power, or that we’ve forgotten about some of more important things in life: self-care, compassion for your neighbours and, last but certainly not least, for the planet we live in. lifestyleasia.com 8

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

News Edit: 9 August 2020

Here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   How The Jewelry Industry Is Mobilizing To Stamp Out Racism Forbes: In the wake of the global social justice movement over recent weeks, black jewelry designers have found themselves thrust front and center as consumers look for ways to show their support. forbes.com Shiny new business idea from Chippenham jeweller Wiltshire Times: Chippenham jeweller Tamara Eggleston has had a Eureka moment. She had to cancel her silver jewellery making workshops due to lockdown back in March. So she has invented a home jewellery making kit to keep her

Benchpeg turns 15 in Lockdown

We’ve been so busy that we forgot that we recently should have celebrated our birthday! It is very hard to believe, for us, that we turned 15 at the beginning of this month. 15 years ago, when ecommerce was very limited, websites were non-responsive and social media hadn’t really got started in the way that we know it nowadays, we created Benchpeg to help democratise information for the sector and get it to those that needed the information most – micro and SME businesses within the jewellery industry. We’re extremely proud that we were the first digital newsletter in the

#UnityInIsolation - A Virtual Exhibition - Needs You!

It was announced yesterday that the UK’s lockdown period is to be extended for a further three weeks. Whilst this undoubtedly comes as a disappointing blow to many, we all understand why it is necessary. However, small glimmers of prosperity are lighting the way through the mundanity of staying home, like small green shoots growing through cracks in concrete. For many, its been a time of renewed creativity and sense of community. The project we introduce you to today is at the cornerstone of both. Like it or loathe it, social media has been instrumental in connecting us whilst we cannot

News Edit: 21 April 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Coachella 2019: The most beautiful jewelry spotted on models at the festival Vogue: From seashell earrings to wild necklaces, take a look at some of the most beautiful jewelry looks spotted at the first weekend of the most fashion-forward festival out there. vogue.fr Artist recreates exiled dictator's treasure trove in 3D—but what happened to the originals? Art Newspaper: Pio Abad and Frances Wadsworth Jones's replicas of jewels smuggled into Hawaii by Imelda Marcos are displayed at the Honolulu Biennial alongside the social services they could have paid for. theartnewspaper.com Nigora

Appointment: Monika Kamycka Appointed as Chair Of British Society of Enamellers

Jewellery designer and Mona Pink founder, Monika Kamycka, has been appointed as Chair of The British Society of Enamellers’ at the trade organisation’s Annual General Meeting, by unanimous vote following her successful year as Vice-Chair. Under Monika’s leadership the trade organisation has realised a number of notable achievements including an innovative and successful online exhibition, a full review of membership benefits, evaluation of website and social media platforms with renewed focus on member and follower engagement, improvements in terms and conditions – both online and offline, digitisation of the organisation’s finances, membership database review (with a view to digitise fully

Precious ?

Precious ? 28 members from over 10 countries will take part in the Precious Collective's Launch Exhibition in Plymouth, 16th to 28th April 2019 Born in November 2017 with a membership of over 120 members from 30 countries worldwide it is a very eclectic and diverse group of makers which now boasts over 4 thousand Instagram followers. Previously solely social media based; Ocean Studios will now host the physical launch of the collective. 28 selected members will present what promises to be a very exciting and possibly challenging Art-Jewellery exhibition. If precious means 'of high cost or worth: not to

Making Impact - Ethical Jewellery Conference

Making Impact - Ethical Conference Presented by The Incorporation of Goldsmiths and Fair Luxury Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh 3 April 2019 The Incorporation of Goldsmiths and Fair Luxury are partnering once again – this time for Making Impact – a conference for jewellers and silversmiths to explore how the  UN Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs) relate to jewellery and metalwork practice in the UK. More and more businesses are using the SDGs to help them prioritise and communicate areas for social, environmental and economic impact and we will be looking at how they can become a set of tools to

Lily Blanche wins Business Women Scotland Award

Stirling-based jewellery company Wow (Scotland) Ltd has triumphed in the main Scottish awards for female entrepreneurs. The company, which trades under the name Lily Blanche, won the award for best use of social media in the BWSWES Awards run jointly by Business Women Scotland and Women’s Enterprise Scotland. Founder Gillian Crawford was presented with the award by the Financial Times’ Miss Moneypenny and Dean of the Edinburgh Business School, Professor Heather McGregor. The company won the award for its Facebook campaign Lin’s Locket, which promoted the Lily Blanche Memory Keeper Locket. This innovative locket opens to reveal six secret photographs

This time, it's personal: Gecko launch new Alphabet collection at Jewellery and Watch 2019

Personalisation was one of 2018’s most popular trends, according to the Business of Fashion- and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere this year as Gecko unveil their new ‘Alphabet collection’ at Jewellery and Watch event today.  Consumers, now more than ever, seek to define themselves. With the emergence and prevalence of social media platforms, people no longer see themselves as just consumers, but producers also. Self-image has never been more important, nor has the idea of one’s own ‘personal brand’.  The idea of creating ‘personalised’ items for those with the most popular names or initials is outdated, with a

Meet the Benchpeg Team

This is us. We are the team that bring the Benchpeg website, newsletter and social media feeds to our lovely readers, subscribers and followers.   Rebecca van Rooijen Co-founder | Editor Rebecca is the creator of Benchpeg, she has 20 years of experience in the industry (she started young!), her vision was to create a resource where the jewellery industry could share and access information. Along with being Editor-in-Cheif of Benchpeg, Rebecca is a Trustee of the Bishopsland Educational Trust , Committee Member for the  Communications and Marketing Committee at  The Goldsmiths’ Company , she sits on the Selection Committee

#BehindTheBling campaign catches on

A social media campaign to persuade jewellery companies to adopt a supply chain free of child labour has been given massive support following the publication of a Human Rights Watch report on responsible sourcing. #BehindtheBling , launched by the human rights group earlier this month and promoted at Baselworld 2018, has reached audiences of more than a million users with around 8,000 letters also sent to the 13 companies who were ranked in the report for their responsible sourcing practices. This coincides with an announcement by Chopard, who were ranked as ‘weak’ in the report that from July, it will

It's In Our Hands - One Year On, Ethical Making Symposium

It's In Our Hands - One Year On, Ethical Making Symposium This Symposium is aimed primarily at jewellers and silversmiths, but is relevant to makers of all disciplines who have an interest in adopting an ethical approach in their practice. Speakers Speakers will include award winning British Fairtrade ethical jeweller and environmental activist, Greg Valerio MBE; jeweller Ute Decker; researcher Dr Peter Oakley; founder of the Precious Metals Workshop, Ian Nicholson; and Jane Barnett and Theodora Panayides of consultancy and social venture, Levin Sources.  Speakers will discuss the importance of implementing an ethical approach and how to face the challenges

Make Your Mark offer One-on-One Surgeries

This year the  Make Your Mark  event will offer visitors the opportunity to book places on one-on-one Surgeries with industry experts and young designers. The surgery sessions, which will take place throughout the two days, will be provided by specialist jewellery and watch communications agency FACETS PR and will offer visitors the chance to speak to industry experts on a one-to-one basis on subjects including PR, social media for business and how to communicate with press to secure coverage. There will also be a team of young designers available at the surgeries, who can give the attending students a realistic

Appointments: Sarah Kitley-Spencer appointed IJL Event Manager

International Jewellery London, the jewellery industry trade fair event, has announced that Sarah Kitley-Spencer has been appointed as the new Event Manager. Sarah Kitley-Spencer has worked at IJL for the past seven years and Reed Exhibitions for ten years. In her former position as Marketing Manager at IJL, Sarah worked closely with her predecessor, Sam Willoughby and the wider team, to expand the show commercially - nationally and internationally.  She has been involved in implementing many of the market-leading features at IJL 2017, including the newly formatted seminar programme and the innovative 365-day strategy, encompassing content marketing, social media and

Funding: The Henry Smith Charity

Funding: The Henry Smith Charity The Henry Smith Charity provides grants of between £20,000 and £60,000 per year for up to three years to charitable organisations that help people when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available. The funding is available to cover running costs, salaries and projects of charitable organisations that can demonstrate a track record of success, and evidence the effectiveness of the work. The funding is available to charities and not-for-profit organisations, including social enterprises in the UK with a turnover of £50,000 - £2mllion (in exceptional circumstances up to £5million).

The Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund 2018

The Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund Museums, galleries and heritage organisations in the UK can apply for support for time-limited projects that use collections for a social purpose, demonstrating that collections change lives and enhance public benefit. Between 2017 and 2019 the Foundation is offering a total of £3.5 million in grants. Grant Funding Grants of between £20,000 and £120,000 are available to museums and galleries in the UK to enable them to focus on time-limited work on collections outside the scope of an organisation’s core resources. A large number of collections activities are eligible for funding, for example research, digitisation,

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

British Council Opportunities

UK in Venice 2018: Call for Exhibitor Details  Calling all UK architects, designers and curators who are taking part in the Venice Biennale 2018: we'd like to hear about your event or exhibition. As part of the British Council's UK in Venice campaign, promoting British exhibitions and events at the Venice Art and Architecture Biennales, we would like to hear about any UK practices taking part this year. Please tell us about your involvement with all the details for your event or exhibition and we can then share this as part of the UK in Venice campaign via social media.

Professional Development Workshops, Crafts Council

Professional Development Workshops - Crafts Council The Crafts Council has released tickets for their next series of workshops and 1:1 advice sessions for makers and designers – with more coming soon. They cover a range of topics including: Application writing & presentation skills Business visioning Finances for craft businesses Fundraising skills International practice IP & copyright (incl. employment law) Product photography Reaching your market (incl. social media) Relationship management with galleries and commissioners Working with manufacturers More details online www.craftscouncil.org.uk

Reaching Your Market: Make the most of your online presentation, marketing...

Training: Reaching Your Market: Make the most of your online presentation, marketing and social media, Crafts Council Do you have a showcase, an open studio event or an exhibition coming up? Are you applying to grant organisations? To selected programmes or exhibitions? Do you wish to be successful in your showcases or applications? This workshop will offer a visual insight into how makers and designers can present themselves online and how to generate interest and income to their practice. Why it’s worth attending? Advice on understanding how to promote your unique offer Tips on developing a brand through your vision

IJL Show Director to step down after IJL 2017

International Jewellery London biggest stand alone jewellery trade event, will bid farewell to Event Director Sam Willoughby in October, after eight years at the helm and more than 13 years working for Reed Exhibitions. Willoughby and her team have developed unique and market leading features at IJL, including the VIP Diamond Club programme and an innovative 365-day strategy across content marketing, social media and industry support. At this year’s show, as well as over 500 jewellery exhibitors of which 150 are new, there is a revitalised Seminar Programme featuring brand new learning areas such as The Academy, Digifest and Skills

The London Artisan

Call for Applications, The London Artisan The London Artisan is a curated marketplace in the heart of East London. A collaborative project between Designers/Makers and The Old Truman Brewery. We offer a platform for 50 Designer Makers to promote and sell their work to new audiences. The London Artisan offer's a diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent producers and makers. But more than that, it’s about people and place; meeting the makers, conversation with friends and embedding the social back into shopping. We curate 'The Artisan Talks', bringing together a range of professionals to offer free talks and workshops

Match Funded Places at Cockpit Arts

Match Funded Studio Opportunities at Cockpit Arts Cockpit Arts is an award winning social enterprise and the UK’s only business incubator for craftspeople, housing up to 170 small businesses at our two centres in central and south London. We support craft practitioners at the start of their careers, as well as those who are more established, to grow and build successful and thriving businesses both in the UK and internationally. Studios Available We’ve got two opportunities for talented makers to join our Cockpit Arts community on match-funded places comprising studio space and support for one year. The Cockpit Arts /

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

Masterpiece London Highlights 2016

At the height of the international summer arts season over 150 of the world's top exhibitors joined us at Masterpiece London to show works that span 5,000 years of art history, furniture, jewellery and design; from antiquity to the present day. In association with Principal Sponsor Royal Bank of Canada, the fair drew close to 40,000 visitors for an exceptional week of cultural, culinary and social experiences in the heart of London. Relive the fair with the highlights video here and hear from the 2016 exhibitors as to why in their opinion Masterpiece has established itself as the leading international

Silent Protest - Political Jewellery by Mahtab Hanna

Silent Protest Political Jewellery by Mahtab Hanna Silent Protest is an interactive, thought-provoking and controversial show that fuses wearable art with social commentary. Political jewellery is about perspective: the ability to transform an individual’s or group’s isolation and pessimism into a method of communication, to bring people together to share values, beliefs or ideals, in a single action. War, identity, gender and consciousness are important themes within politics and therefore translate into interpreting political jewellery as progressive, oppressive or radical.  The beliefs of many can be divided: those who have invented messages, the patrons of the jewellery; those whose job

Cutlery Design Challenge, Institute of Making and Worshipful Company of Cutlers

Earlier this year the Institute of Making and Worshipful Company of Cutlers launched a very exiting design challenge to design and make a new implement, tool or device for eating. The art, craft and science of what we eat and how we eat it has engaged civilisations across the ages. Rituals, routines, manners and methods have been developed to ensure that the way we eat and the tools we use to eat with perform a huge range of functions; from preventing us contaminating our food with unwashed hands, to marking us out as from a particular social class. in recent

Hockley Mint Welcomes Peruvian Fairtrade Gold Miners to Birmingham

Award winning fine jewellery and bridal jewellery manufacturer Hockley Mint welcomed Peruvian Fairtrade gold miners to it's factory in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter earlier this month, producing a video of the visit that it will use to promote Fairtrade gold on its website and across social media platforms. Peruvian Fairtrade gold campaigner Dajhanna Zarate, who is the daughter of a gold miner in Sotrami, was accompanied by Macdesa miner Roger Arcos Ponte on the visit to Birmingham. The two guests were in the UK as part of a wider Fairtrade gold campaign with the Fairtrade Foundation, and were invited to Hockley Mint

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

New Designers 2017 Events Programme Announced

An opening speech by  British ceramicist   Keith  Brymer  Jones and  Design   Reels ,  the  new digital catwalk and screening area are just two of the event highlights at New Designers, the UK’s leading exhibition for emerging design, announced today. The inspiring programme of public talks, tours and awards has been revealed as over 3,000 graduates and 80 emerging designers finalise their presentations for the show – sharing their making processes, inspiration and a glimpse of their final pieces on social media with the hashtag  # comingtoND .     A leading figure from the world of design will

Stella & Dot: Covet Collection

Stella & Dot, the global social-selling accessories brand have launched the Covet Collection, a new line of fine jewellery, luxury handbags and wallets to bring together a sense of bold and passionate style this fall/winter. The Covet Collection blends timeless beauty with unmistakable quality, and understated luxury with timeless silhouettes. The necklaces feature 14k gold and hand set diamonds (ethical and conflict-free) at highly competitive price points. The chain is custom developed and produced in the U.S. and can be worn at 4 different lengths. The Covet collection is a unique selection of everyday essentials, timeless elegance designed with a

Arabel Lebrusan Launches First Fairmined Gold Collection

As part of her commitment to beautiful, ethical jewellery, and having recently become a Fairmined licensee, Arabel Lebrusan is launching an exclusive new collection made from Fairmined Ecological Gold. Fairmined Ecological Gold (Eco Gold) is gold that has not only been mined under the strict rules of the Fairmined Certification with regard to social development, fair treatment and equitable payment. It goes one-step further in not using mercury or cyanide to extract the gold; tighter management of environmental risks; no mining in protected areas and a programme dedicated to the restoration and rehabilitation of mined out areas. It thus ensures

Trollbeads Grow

Danish interchangeable  jewellery  brand Trollbeads has upped its game by building a highly interactive digital strategy that includes social influencers and brand ambassadors. Recently hosting a first of its kind digital party and inviting one of the UK’s biggest bloggers to become the face of a new season collection, Trollbeads is working to engage a target market that may not shop solely in the conventional brick and mortar way. 2016 saw Trollbeads focus heavily on the consumer experience offered to its customer and how to continue driving sales. To strengthen its digital position, Trollbeads recruited renowned fashion and lifestyle blogger

IJL Launches New Seminar Offering 2017 Show

International Jewellery London has unveiled a completely revised and revamped seminar schedule for 2017, bringing back the Inspiration Theatre and Trends Catwalk and introducing DIGIfest, The Academy and Skills Lab for the very first time. The three-day seminar programme has been carefully tailored to 2016 show feedback, ensuring the questions most commonly asked by jewellery retailers, brands and businesses are answered in style. Topics covered by expert speakers and panels this year include social media marketing, working with influencers, digital design, retail experience, the customer journey and expert sales training. Leading luminary Stephen Webster shine brightly in this year’s line-up,

GSFA 2016 | April Doubleday | Fairtrade Gold Mining in Colombia

April Doubleday is an Ethical deigner/maker of Contemporary Jewellery, living on the North Coast of Devon. She uses the coastline, rock formations and the sea as inspiration for her designs. Her Jewellery is bold and energetic using line, form and colour where every piece is given its own sense of creation and individuality of its own.  April's vision of her company is to strive for complete transparency throughout her business. This transparency spreads from her sourcing of precious metal suppliers and gemstones to the design process with clients. April is committed to ensuring she uses suppliers that have social and

Christmas Open Studios 2016, Cockpit Arts - Holborn

Join Cockpit Arts in their 30th Anniversary year and meet 170 makers over two centres in central and south London. Visitors can see behind the scenes in the studios and buy work direct from Cockpit Arts’ master craftspeople and artist-makers, past and present. Ceramicists, jewellers, textile artists, shoemakers … and a host of other crafts· Featured showcase selection by Jo Newton, Head of Buying for Fashion Beauty and Home, Fortnum & Mason Delicious food by Hand Made Food café The Holborn Magazine pop-up shop Cockpit Arts is an award winning social enterprise and the UK’s only business incubator for craftspeople,

Christmas Open Studios 2016, Cockpit Arts - Deptford

Join Cockpit Arts in their 30th Anniversary year and meet 170 makers over two centres in central and south London. Visitors can see behind the scenes in the studios and buy work direct from Cockpit Arts’ master craftspeople and artist-makers, past and present. Ceramicists, jewellers, textile artists, shoemakers … and a host of other crafts· Featured showcase selection by Jo Newton, Head of Buying for Fashion Beauty and Home, Fortnum & Mason Delicious food by Hand Made Food café The Holborn Magazine pop-up shop Cockpit Arts is an award winning social enterprise and the UK’s only business incubator for craftspeople,

Halcyon Arts Lab Fellowship 2017

The Halcyon Arts Lab Fellowship is a nine-month program established to provide emerging artists with time and space to explore new ideas and ambitious projects in an environment of independent learning, study, and collaboration. The fellowship is designed to provide support and resources to emerging artists who desire to develop projects (at any stage) that promote meaningful social impact, and for those who wish to follow the path of leadership in the field of socially-engaged art. Located in Washington D.C., Halcyon Arts Lab accepts six national or international fellows and two DC-resident fellows in each year of the program. Why

Kate Laven

Meet Benchpeg's Contributing Writer Kate Laven. She makes up part of the team that bring the Benchpeg website, newsletter and social media feeds to our lovely readers, subscribers and followers   Kate Laven Contributing Writer Kate is a journalist with over 20 years’ extensive experience and has written for an expansive range of titles including the Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, the BBC and the Daily Express as well as being a contributing writer for The Times, The Sunday Times and the Guardian. Kate brings her background in  corporate communications, PR, marketing, blogging and media consultancy  to Benchpeg. Kate maintains

Rebecca van Rooijen

Meet the Co-Founder and Editor of Benchpeg. She makes up part of the team that bring the Benchpeg website, newsletter and social media feeds to our lovely readers, subscribers and followers.   Rebecca van Rooijen Co-founder | Editor Rebecca is the creator of Benchpeg, she has over 20 years of experience in the jewellery industry (she started young!), her vision was to create a resource where the jewellery trade could share and access information. Along with being Editor-in-Cheif of Benchpeg, Rebecca is a Trustee of the  Bishopsland Educational Trust , a Committee Member for the Communications and Marketing Committee at  The

Sarah Salmon

Meet Benchpeg's Trends Editor. She makes up part of the team that bring the Benchpeg website, newsletter and social media feeds to our lovely readers, subscribers and followers   Sarah Salmon Trends Editor Sarah has a natural flair for creativity and design, and is our trends and blog guru. She manages Benchpeg's weekly  trends and fashion content . Her full time job is as a Digital Marketing Executive in the Educational Sector. Previously she worked as the Editorial and Digital Assistant at  Gem-A , where she worked on Gem-A's Gems & Jewellery and The Journal of Gemmology publications as well as on

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

News Edit: 9 May 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Jeweler Pandora Takes Ethical Stand Against Mined Diamonds Bloomberg: Pandora A/S, which makes more pieces of jewelry than any other company in the world, will no longer use mined diamonds, dropping another raw material tainted by ethical concerns. www.bloomberg.com Inside Track: Ex-Facebook chief Dave Spillane gives fine ethical jewellery the thumbs-up The Times: Dave Spillane, who was one of Facebook’s top Irish executives, rising to the post of the social media giant’s chief accounting officer in Silicon Valley, has gone into jewellery and shiny things. www.thetimes.co.uk BBC: All

General Manager, Henns Family Jewellers - Wolverhampton

The role General Manager Henns Family Jewellers Wolverhampton We are a small independent family jewellery business based in Wolverhampton.  We are now seeking a General Manager for an exciting all encompassing role. Responsibilities will include: Keyholder HR – staff rotas and holidays Staff development – training / leadership Responsible for IT development – POS Tills / Apps /Phones Event planning – wedding fairs / Instore events E-commerce – processing website sales / maintenance Marketing – social media / advertising /email campaigns Promotions – organising brand and in store promotions Visual Merchandiser – seasonal themes / updating brand POS / maintenance Administrator Duties

Anthropologie Celebrates 'Women who Weld' this International Women's Day

From today, right up 'til April 23rd, the Anthropolgie store on Kings Road, London, will play host to a curated selection of jewellery, designed by Britain's most inspiring female jewellers.  The showcase, which will feature eight designers, was designed to celebrate both International Women's day and Women's History Month, as well as British design. Throughout the event, customers will have the opportunity to buy  one-of-a-kind and numbered pieces, all of which have been carefully handcrafted in the UK. International Women's Day  (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also

International Women's Day Event

International Women's Day Event National Design and Craft Gallery Friday 8 March 1pm - 4pm Celebrate International Women's Day at the National Design and Craft Gallery. Join us for crafternoon tea treats, chats and tote bag screen printing to mark the occasion. All are welcome to drop in between  1pm - 4pm. For group bookings please email   events@ndcg.ie  to confirm your time of arrival. FREE event. International Women's Day  (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women's Day

The London Artisan 2017

The London Artisan is a curated marketplace in the heart of East London.  A collaborative project between  Designers/Makers  and  The Old Truman Brewery. When: 11 & 12 March 2017 For more information: www.thelondonartisan.com The London Artisan offer's a diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent producers and makers. But more than that, it’s about people and place; meeting the makers, conversation with friends and embedding the social back into shopping. We support makers who produce high quality, unique and locally made products within the following categories:  Textiles & Homeware / Illustration & Print / Ceramics & Glassware / Jewellery & Accessories / product design / Traditional

Nambé Celebrates Successful UK Launch Event

Designer lifestyle brand, Nambé, hosted its official UK launch event on June 29, giving retailers, buyers, journalists and social media influencers the chance to see its extensive ranges for the first time.  The award-winning brand took over a private room at London’s popular Hoxton Hotel to bring its lifestyle collections to life, while also displaying its new sterling silver jewellery offer that impressed buyers at JCK Las Vegas earlier this year. Representatives from jewellery retailers and department stores were particularly impressed with the brand’s wide-ranging giftware items, including wedding, baby, new- home and special occasion items. Buyers in attendance also

Howard van Rooijen

Meet the other of Benchpeg's Co-Founders. Although on a day to day basis he takes a back seat, he makes up part of the team that bring the Benchpeg website, newsletter and social media feeds possible to our lovely readers, subscribers and followers   Howard van Rooijen Co-founder Howard  has been at Benchpeg since the beginning. With an exceptional  understanding of business and technology , he has provided us with practical, financial and moral support for over a decade. We couldn't have achieved half of the things we've done without his stalwart presence.  When he's not involved in Benchpeg stuff Howard