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What Follows

What Follows by Sian Evans 28th October - 2nd November 2019 67 York Street, London Sian Evans and Pond come together to present two gold jewellery collections which seek to extend the life of materials through individual approaches to sustainable practices and traceability. Natalie Holt and Holly Archer Nicholls have worked together for over a decade in the jewellery and fashion industry. Whilst working in a fast paced fashion environment helped to hone their skills as designers, they despaired at the waste that was a by-product of this way of working - both material waste and unexplored ideas. They created

What Colour is Metal?

What Colour is Met­al? 14 October - 3 December 2022 Winchester Gallery, Hampshire What Colour is Met­al? brings you on a jour­ney of process, exper­i­men­ta­tion and mas­tery through the work of  25  con­tem­po­rary jew­ellers and silversmiths. This exhibition is a consideration of the relationship between metal and colour in contemporary silversmithing and jewellery practice, and a mapping of relationships and practice in key centres internationally. It examines approaches ranging from colour achieved using the inherent properties of metal to react with other chemicals or heat (or a combination of the two); the reveal of colour as a property of the metal

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

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

What's in Trend Now: Rocking Rhinestone

If you're wondering how you're going to transition your summer jewellery staples into fall favourites, the trick is to swap out your golden coin medallions and fruity, floral brights for something a little more overstated and substantial: rhinestones. Falling in torrents from the lobes of runway models was unapologetically bold, look-at-me rhinestones in all shapes, styles and colours. We're not talking about the subtle and dainty nod to bling we've seen in previous seasons, no, designers want you dripping and glistening with shiny blinged out bracelets, earrings and necklaces hanging off every ear, wrist, body and decolletage. A little bit

SO WHAT! Liquid jewels by Nadine Kuffner

SO WHAT! exhibition, featuring the work by Nadine Kuffner, just closed at Irene Belfi Gallery in Milan and confirms the main intent of the gallery to promote high quality contemporary jewellery artists and goldsmith writes Ilaria Ruggiero. SO WHAT! is also the name of the work with which Nadine graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Monaco, and an obvious provocation. In fact, the artist, fascinated by a material so poorly considered in jewellery as tin, exploits its properties, freely experimenting during the liquid phase of its state. Her hands try to direct the material towards forms she imagines, but

21 GRAMS What’s the weight of our soul?

21 GRAMS is an experimental jewellery exhibition organized, curated and conceived by Ruudt Peters writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Guo Xin,  1 Gram - Rebound,  2018 Silver plated, stainless steel, jade Sun Jie, W ho are you,  2018 Golden paint, metal, resin Beginning in the 1970's, Ruudt Peters, a pioneering Dutch conceptual jewellery artist, challenged traditional definitions of adornment by pushing the boundaries of context, wearability, materials and presentation. He defines himself as a philosopher and an alchemist, his pieces of jewellery being extensions of a person.  Peters Ruudt, L ast Breath,  2018 Silver Glass El-Asmar-Nedda,  Transit Vessel,  2018 24K gold Always challenging the

Jewels on the Pink Carpet- Who wore what to the 2019 Met Gala

The first Monday of May brought with it the illustrious and captivating Met Gala. The fashion world is still dealing with the fallout. We've collated some of the best jewellery looks of the occassion.  The theme this year was camp, explored in more detail in the complimentary exhibition staged by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum 'Camp: Notes on Fashion'. The exhibition explores how the sensibility, once marginalised, has now become a leading and important part of contemporary mainstream culture.  “Camp’s disruptive nature and subversion of modern aesthetic values has often been trivialized, but this exhibition reveals that it

What can Jewellery Businesses Learn from the Celestial Trend?

A recent report by WGSN, the leading experts in fashion forecasting, reveals that astrology themed fashion is going nowhere this year. Americans spent $2.2m on mystical services in 2018, according to research firm IBISWorld, while a Pew Research Centre survey of American adults released last year found that 37% of women and 20% of men said they believed in astrology. According to the report, the rise in New Age spirituality has emerged as a result of anxiety. Political, societal, economic and environmental concerns leave us searching for meaning and control in our lives.  Let’s face it though, the skies will

Jeweller Stephen Saliba tells Benchpeg what its like in Italy during Covid-19

Jeweller Stephen Saliba has been a resident in Bristol for over 40 years. In the last year he took the plunge and re-located to Italy. He tells Benchpeg what its been like to relocate and set up a business during a pandemic. With over ten years of teaching experience, Stephen decided to set up a workshop and school of jewellery ‘Art Lab Todi’ in the historic town of Todi in Umbria. The school and workshop are located on the ground floor of a palace, within a town full of architectural gems and history. The Jewellery School is set up with

Electroforming Jewellery Workshop @ K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery

Caroline Broadhead: Questions of Jewellery 20 -23 July 2020 K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery Masterclass - Questions Of Jewellery Jewellery encompasses a wide range of issues and meanings, most often about what is valued and what is rated as important in our lives. The way ideas are expressed range from light hearted to hard-hitting, playful to political and everything in between. This workshop is aimed at those with an interest in the expanded field of contemporary jewellery i.e. body-related objects, clothing, performance and image-based ideas.   Starting with rapid response briefs designed to challenge received preconceptions, we will find out what questions are the

Manon van Kouswijk - Sources & Resources at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery, London

Manon van Kouswijk - Sources & Resources at K Academy of Contemporary Jewellery, London 17 - 20 July 2019 A 4 Day Masterclass led by Manon van Kouswijk at K Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery, London Masterclass - Sources & Resources The project of contemporary jewellery started out as an idealistic one that aimed to change our thinking about what jewellery was and what it could be. In our increasingly image-driven era of late capitalism how do you articulate and shape your position within contemporary jewellery practice? What is it that draws you to work with this particular subject matter and

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Thank you for visiting Benchpeg. Our Terms and Conditions explain how to use our site, what you are allowed to do, and what you are not, and what our liability is for your use of this website. Before you use our website, please read these terms of use carefully. By using any part of our website, you are agreeing to these terms in full, regardless of your decision to register as a member on our website. If you do not accept these terms, you must leave our website immediately. These terms were last updated in August 2016. We may change

Classifieds

Sometimes, the essentials are hard to come by. Our classifieds listings could have just what you’re after, but be careful: we haven’t checked everything that’s on offer. 

Classifieds - Looking For Work

Sometimes, the essentials are hard to come by. Our classifieds listings could have just what you’re after, but be careful: we haven’t checked everything that’s on offer. 

Classifieds - Workshop Space Wanted

Sometimes, the essentials are hard to come by. Our classifieds listings could have just what you’re after, but be careful: we haven’t checked everything that’s on offer. 

Classifieds - Workshop Space Available

Sometimes, the essentials are hard to come by. Our classifieds listings could have just what you’re after, but be careful: we haven’t checked everything that’s on offer. 

Classifieds - Secondhand Tools Wanted

Sometimes, the essentials are hard to come by. Our classifieds listings could have just what you’re after, but be careful: we haven’t checked everything that’s on offer. 

Classifieds - Secondhand Tools For Sale

Sometimes, the essentials are hard to come by. Our classifieds listings could have just what you’re after, but be careful: we haven’t checked everything that’s on offer. 

A Tale of Two Spaces

A Tale of Two Spaces - DDS x DSS Dundee’s Double Door Studios (DDS) and Dock Street Studios (DSS) are working together to celebrate and showcase the work of each group with a collaborative event held in July 2022. Sometimes confused with each other, the two studios want to tell people about what they do, how they work and what they make. The event series will begin on the 9th and 10th July across three locations - Double Door Studios  on Ward Road, Dock Street Studios along from Malmaison Hotel, and a stall at the Overgate  Shopping Centre bridging both

FREE Online Invicon Session

On Sally Leonard’s latest trip to Vicenza Oro, she met an awesome company that specialises in colour coatings for jewellery, including PROPER industrial ceramic (that you can set stones in!!!) They don't really have a presence in the UK at the moment, so she has set up this 90 minute session to show as many people as possible what it is, what it can do and how you can use it. Invicon will demonstrate their three colour coating products for jewellery, HyCeram, LuxArt and Luxon. Find out how they are used and how you can procure any or all of

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

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,

Max Carocci Lecture

'Precious Metals-Precious Stones: Symbolism and Technologies of Precolumbian Jewellery' Lecture by Max Carocci  Tuesday 11 October 2022, 18:00 – 20:00 What are the reasons for a culture to produce jewels from very specific raw materials? How do we make sense of the inordinate use of certain metals? What causes certain societies to value certain metals over others? Through examples drawn from the exceptional creativity and craftmanship of Precolumbian master jewellers, we address these and other questions related to the meanings, symbolism, and values differently associated with jewellery, and how they work in society. About the Lecturer: British Museum-based Dr. Max Carocci

BeCraft exhibits at Eleven Steens

OBJECT SYNONYMS 24.02.2022 → 10.04.2022 The currents pass, evolve. Always, artists immerse themselves in what has been.  They reformulate, look differently, offer a "what seems" but which is no longer – or which is, different.  They rethink, recycle, divert, ennoble. This is where the power of contemporary applied arts lies.  Bathed in the – distant – roots of the functional, the artists free themselves from it or draw inspiration from it to perfect the world, to question it, to challenge it.  Through the diversity of materials, techniques, and the rich heritage of arts and crafts, it is a vast and constantly

News Edit: 4 September 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Your Next Necklace May Have Gold From an Old Phone NY Times: More jewelers, large and small, are using precious metals recovered from electronic waste. www.nytimes.com Final countdown begins for Museum of London move The Past: The Museum of London will close its doors on 4 December, ahead of its planned relocation to larger premises in West Smithfield’s historic General Market. What will the new museum look like, and what is planned at the original site during its final few months? Carly Hilts reports. the-past.com Blacksmith Tom King

Pantone Colour Of The Year 2022

Pantone the universal mark of international colour language, has announced the colour of the year for 2022, 'Very Peri'. PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri A new pantone colour whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity. “The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that colour can hope to answer.” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “Creating a new colour for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational colour program reflects the global innovation and

Q&A: Max Danger

Max Danger is a Danish born Jewellery Designer and craftsman, a self confessed gold obsessive, who has a reputation for innovative and striking pieces of bespoke jewellery. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? MD: Max Danger, I'm a bespoke jeweller and part time Jewellery Technician at the London College of Fashion. How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? MD: I went on a half year jewellery course at technical college in Copenhagen. During my time there I realized that this was what I wanted to do.  Afterwards I applied

Preziosa Young Design Competition 2020

Call for Applications: Preziosa Young Design Competition 2020 Since 2008, “PREZIOSA YOUNG”, is an international competition dedicated to worldwide emerging artists, goldsmiths, designers. The aim is to contribute to the circulation of what is new in research jewellery, as well as showcase what the new generations of goldsmiths / designers / artists are “brewing”. For each edition, an international jury composed by curators, artists and critics selects a small number of young artists from all those who have submitted their candidature. The names of the jurors who took part in the previous selections can be seen here. Selected artists will

Getting Started 2018

Call for Applications: Getting Started Have you graduated in the last five years form a certified UK Precious Metal course? Do you need support in developing your business skills, but aren’t sure exactly what skills you need? Getting Started could be the course for you. What is this course about? Getting Started is a FREE, one week business taster programme for recent graduates who want to pursue a career within the industry. Funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company, the course is delivered and takes place at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell. Course dates 9am until 5pm, Monday 8th to Friday 12th

Yellow Bright Lights

After what can only be described as one down-right glorious May bank holiday weekend, It's safe to say that Britain has been swept away by a wave of happiness. Summertime happiness feels just that little bit more special and sentimental when basking in the warmth of the sun. It seems only fitting that with this sudden burst of blazing heat and pimms by the bucketload that we tailor our jewellery game to the occasion. When you think of summer, happiness and positivity, what colour instantly comes to mind...? Why Juicy lemon yellows and citrus bursts of canary brights of course!

Saloukee Reveals A New Season Look

It's been many months in the making and this August Saloukee are excited to finally share their recent labour of love. Welcome to the new and exciting website of jewellery brand Saloukee!  Keen to share the love, devotion and carefully curated design behind the newly crafted site, Saloukee are passionate to connect with their customers through beautiful aesthetics, see what they think of the brands' new direction and would love any feedback on certain elements that you as customers would like to see! Get involved with the latest activity of the brand by taking a sneakpeak at what's been happening

Ortwin Thyssen Unviels Competition Winner 2016

To celebrate his shop’s 10-year anniversary, King’s Mile jeweller, Ortwin Thyssen set his makers a challenge; to design and craft a piece of jewellery of their own inspiration using traditional artisan methods. The pieces were displayed during September and the public were invited to vote, alongside industry professionals, on their favourite piece. “What you see here is the result of a challenge that every artist faces, the challenge to make ‘what you feel is right’” explained Ortwin during his presentation speech at the competition awards evening, held in the intimate surroundings of the Lilford Gallery in Canterbury. After achieving the

Amanda Mansell Unviels Striking New Piece

Jeweller Amanda Mansell has unveiled a new jewellery piece at Goldsmiths' Fair this week to accompany her iconic Concentric Ring. “Jewellery goes beyond the aesthetic. How a piece looks is important but it's more than that. Jewellery captures stories and moments in time. It's a lasting testament to the craftsmanship required just to bring a design to life. It's how it feels and what it means. This is what's important…” -Amanda Mansell Amanda was thrilled to be selected for a second consecutive year after her debut last year when her Concentric Ring featured on the flyer and poster for the

Call for Applications: Getting Started 2017

Have you graduated in the last five years from a certified UK Precious Metal course? Do you need support in developing your business skills but aren’t sure exactly what skills you need? Getting Started could be the course for you. What is the Getting Started course? Delivered by the Goldsmiths’ Centre and funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company, Getting Started is a free, one week business taster programme for people who want to pursue a career within the industry. Delivered as a series of seminars, interactive workshops and talks from keynote speakers, the programme focuses on: how best to sell your

Ask the Professionals, The Sorting Office

Have you ever wondered just how to get your work sold in a shop? Or maybe how you get into a Trade Fair?  What about exhibitions and craft fairs? When the competition is strong how do you stand out from the crowd, and what makes a successful application? In this event you will hear from 3 industry professionals on how to make successful applications to retail and online outlets, trade fairs, exhibitions and craft fairs. Jon Tutton - MADE Brighton MADE Brighton is an annual Design and Craft Fair held at The Corn Exchange in Brighton. The event, organised by

The New Trend: 3D Scanning for Jewellery

Imagine being able to copy anything in perfect detail at the touch of a button. Only ten years ago this would just have been merely a pipe dream. Now the dream has become reality. David Valle of Gala Creations takes us through what you need to know about 3D scanning and its every day uses for the jewellery industry. What is 3D scanning? 3D scanning is the technology used to digitalize any small object, including any type of jewellery, wax and gemstone. 3D scanners work by shining different patterns and intensities of light onto an object to be scanned. Then, a built-in

The New Trend: 3D Scanning for Jewellery

Imagine being able to copy anything in perfect detail at the touch of a button. Only ten years ago this would just have been merely a pipe dream. Now the dream has become reality. David Valle of Gala Creations takes us through what you need to know about 3D scanning and its every day uses for the jewellery industry. What is 3D scanning? 3D scanning is the technology used to digitalize any small object, including any type of jewellery, wax and gemstone. 3D scanners work by shining different patterns and intensities of light onto an object to be scanned. Then, a built-in

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

Handcrafted Wire Findings

Price: £16:54 Why spend hundreds of dollars stocking up on expensive manufactured clasps, jump rings, ear wires, bails, and much more when you can get exactly what you need for a fraction of the cost? Why spend hundreds of dollars stocking up on expensive manufactured clasps, jump rings, ear wires, bails, and much more when you can get exactly what you need for a fraction of the cost? With Handcrafted Wire Findings you can learn how to make all of these things and more with your choice of materials. From sterling silver, fine silver,

Galerie Marzee - Summer Exhibitions

Galerie Marzee Exhibitions: Lisa Walker, Eva Jünger, Margit Jäschke & Pedro Sequeira From 26 May 2024 Nijmegen, Netherlands Galerie Marzee opens three new exhibitions: Lisa Walker (NZ), Eva Jünger (D), Margit Jäschke (D) and Pedro Sequeira (PT) Lisa Walker and Eva Jünger Iconoclastic, intuitive and impetuous, Lisa Walker challenges traditional notions about jewellery and questions what it is and what it can be. With an open yet rigorous approach, she works with found objects, precious materials, abandoned bits and bobs, combining and transforming them to create jewellery that questions its very nature, reconsiders its own answers and explores relationships to

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

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

Jacobs the Jewellers starts 70th anniversary

2018 marks the 70th anniversary of Reading’s oldest independent family run jewellers founding. Jacobs’ 2018 anniversary centres around the ambitious goal of raising £70,000 for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Charity, specifically the Berkshire Cancer Centre in what is also the NHS’s 70th anniversary year.   70 for 70: raising £70,000 for the Royal Berkshire Hospital in their 70th year 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of Reading’s oldest independent family run jewellers founding. Jacobs’ 2018 anniversary centres around the ambitious goal of raising £70,000 for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Charity, specifically the Berkshire Cancer Centre in what is also the NHS’s 70th anniversary year.   Jacobs has kicked off 2018 in dazzling form, launching the first three innovative

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

In Pursuit of Luxury Podcast

In Pursuit of Luxury has just launched its podcast  In conversation with Bijou Abiola. In the podcast Shaun Borstrock interviews Bijou Abiola in a series on visionary women in luxury. Bijou and Shaun discuss what is happening today in luxury retail and the important role digital plays.  She says she envisions a day when she won’t be the only woman or the only black woman in the room. www . inpursuitofluxury . com Author:  Published: 

21 GRAMS

21 GRAMS BeCraft Galerie, Belgique 23.06.2019 → 08.09.2019 An exhibition initiated by the China Academy of Art, in collaboration with BeCraft, the Handwerk München Gallery (DE), the Legnica Gallery of Art (PL) and the CODA Museum (PB) Does the soul exist? If so, what is its consistency? And where will she lodge? Rational or not, the answer depends on the personal beliefs of everyone. At the beginning of this hypothesis, that of the weight of the soul - which should be equivalent to 21 grams - a series of world artists set the tone. Driven by aspirations (in) consciously influenced by

An Introduction into Wax Carving and Sand Casting

An Introduction into Wax Carving and Sand Casting 4 Day Workshop 25 – 28 July 2018 What will be taught? This course is designed to give you an introduction into wax carving and sand casting. You will learn the basics of both techniques with the possibility to design and make rings, earrings and pendants. You will be taught to create simple shapes in wax which are suitable as masters for the sand casting process and which can be used as masters to create a metal copy. The first part of the course will cover the basic principles and processes of

Joya Barcelona 2018: An Interview with the Director Paulo Ribeiro

Ilaria Ruggiero met the Director of Joya Barcelona, Paulo Ribeiro, for few questions about what will be most exciting at this years fair, the 10th edition! The 2018 edition of Joya Barcelona is expected to be a celebration of the past ten years of very successful editions, and it is meant to be over the top! JOYA is a platform that during these ten years has served as a space for interaction, debate and meeting point of art jewellery sector in Spain, artists and galleries, private collectors and cultural elite, with a complete program of events, exhibitions, conferences and with

The Jewellery Quarter Festival

The Jewellery Quarter Festival is a showcase of what Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is today  as well as a celebration of the vibrant business and wider JQ communities. Organised by the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) and supported by local businesses, the festival takes place over a weekend in July each year and is ideal for visitors and families as well as anyone who lives, learns or works in the area. The event is comprised of two main features; outdoor activities and entertainment on the two public squares and the Open Studios Trail in a number of workshops and studios

International Summer Academy of Fine Arts Salzburg

Program 2017 of the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts Salzburg Why produce art? The motto of 2017 is the very general and fundamental question: Why art produce? This applies to the summer academy as an institution as well as to all art-makers. What does it mean to produce art today, how is art related to the socio-political situation? And why do art teach and teach art over and over again? Art is a way to relate to the world. However, art is also a place of retreat, art allows for immersion, that is, fusing with it or with certain

Narratives In Making, National Craft Gallery - Kilkenny

Narratives In Making An exhibition of new and innovative works from the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s PORTFOLIO: Critical Selection 2017-18. The 28 designer makers represented were selected by an international panel, for demonstrating excellence in craftsmanship, design quality and technical skill. Narratives in Making, curated by Gregory Parsons, considers the provenance of the objects, who made it, where it was made, how it was made and what it is made of. All this is inextricably linked. It informs our relationship with the object. There are fascinating stories here, from the love of material, rituals of making, the design

Scotgold Bulk Processing Trial Sales Update

Scotgold Resources Ltd last week entered into an agreement with Ocean Partners for the sale of up to 120 tonne of the gold rich pyrite concentrate to be generated by the Bulk Processing Trial in Scotland. The first shipment to Ocean Partners’ premises in the Netherlands will take place as soon as the appropriate logistics have been put in place. The Company has now accumulated what is considered to be a cost effective shipping load and as of 26th October, the BPT had generated an estimated mass of approximately 13.5t of pyrite concentrate with a preliminary estimated gold content of

Call for Applications: Benchpeg Awards

The Benchpeg Awards are aimed at helping students, fledgling businesses or those emerging to create a new career in jewellery or the allied trades. The emphasis of the Benchpeg Awards are to provide an opportunity to assist in the trajectory of the winner’s careers and give them a helping leg up on the first rung of the career ladder. Competition Categories There are three categories to enter as part of the competition: Design for Technology: CAD and Manufacture Design for Commercial Sales: Competitive Retail Design for Creativity, Innovation or Disruption: Something which hasn’t been seen before What to Enter You

Silver Speaks: Form - The Goldsmiths' Centre

Silver Speaks: ‘Form’ is an exhibition of work by members of Contemporary British Silversmiths. It offers a behind the scenes look at the techniques that enable makers to create work in silver, while exploring their relationship with materials, processes and tools. It is part of Silver Speaks, the year long programme of events celebrating the exceptional level of creativity and skill in British silversmithing today. Running from 1st June until 23rd September 2016, it will take place at The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London. The exhibition will provide an insight into the processes behind the making of objects and what is

The Craft of Silversmithing

Price: from £5.10 Takes a fresh look at the ancient craft of silversmithing with 18 projects that teach various skills.  This manual provides artisans with an understanding of silver's properties: what it is and how it behaves. It explains beginning, intermediate, and advanced techniques and then applies it to craft beautiful items. Image caption or copyright  CV Surgery

Studio Manager, Sophie Breitmeyer - London W11 1JH

Studio Manager Sophie Breitmeyer 24 Powis Terrace, London W11 1JH Work Days: 5 Days a Week / Full-Time / In Person / Monday - Friday Salary: In line with experience About Us: Sophie Breitmeyer is a modern-family jeweller. Her passion and interest lie in creating bespoke, one-of-a-kind pieces as future heirlooms, reworking inherited pieces as well as creating a wardrobe of exquisite ready-to-wear pieces for special occasions and the everyday. What We Require: The Studio Manager is a motivated individual who shows initiative and excellence in the running of the studio and assisting both the production & sales of fine

Newby Trust Award at Cockpit

The Newby Trust Award at Cockpit An award for craftspeople at a turning point in their skill development. The Newby Trust Award at Cockpit offers one year of business support, subsidised studio space at Cockpit, and a grant to support craft skill development. The Award is open to makers practicing any craft discipline. What's included? Studio space for up to 1 year at Cockpit A £900 grant to support craft skill development Business support services including one-to-one coaching and  workshops Selling and promotional opportunities including two annual Cockpit Open Studios events Who can apply? A maker practicing any craft discipline

Crafting Our Future Together

Crafting Our Future Together - The Goldsmiths’ Centre Grant The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s mission is to work with individuals and organisations to protect and advance the skills and future of goldsmithing in the UK. What kind of projects do we support? We look to partner with and fund others who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and our passion to close our industry's skills gap. By working together, we want you to maximise the impact of your grant and create ripples of change.  We invite you to submit proposals that help you or others to: Empower marginalised groups and individuals:  through the act of designing

Pegs

We’ve been ‘supporting the work of the jeweller’ for over a fifteen years now. We love a benchpeg too, which is why we created the 'benchpeg selfie.' We absolutely love how each peg represents the individuality of the craftsperson who works upon it.  If you'd like to see your benchpeg featured here upload your pic to Instagram using #benchpegselfie. We will pick the best images every week and feature them on the website and newsletter. Please add a description of what it is you are working on.                           

News Edit: 22 September 2024

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... What To Expect At The World’s Largest Jewelry Trade Fair Hong Kong will once again be the center of the jewelry world when the Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong opens in a few days. The annual trade fair is considered the largest in the world in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors. www.forbes.com Parisian High Jeweler Boucheron Opens First Boutique In New York It only took 166 years for the French high jewelry house, Boucheron, to open its first boutique in New York. The new 3,900-square-foot

News Edit: 30 June 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... Mystery of jeweller Vashi’s vanishing diamonds and Middle East investors who lost millions The National News: Vashi Dominguez's eponymous company was touted as the future of the diamond trade, but collapsed owing £170m. The National investigates what went wrong. www.thenationalnews.com High Jewelry Artist Anna Hu Celebrates Chinese Culture In Paris Forbes: 2024 is a year of milestones for France. Not only are eyes on the capital for the LVMH-sponsored Olympic Games, the fashion calendar is packed with events like Vogue World: Paris and now there’s a snap general election.

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

News Edit: 10 March 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... Beautiful and blue! Aquamarine jewellery to capture the stunning appeal of March's birthstone Tatler's Jewellery Editor falls under the spell of the incomparable gem, which has long been a royal favourite. www.tatler.com Buccellati announces a major retrospective in Venice The upcoming Buccellati exhibition in Venice, ‘The Prince of Goldsmiths, Rediscovering the Classics’, is produced by Balich Wonder Studio and curated by Alba Cappellieri. www.wallpaper.com What shines in the world of jewellery Add some sparkle to your jewellery box with the best and brightest news and moments to note this

New Designers 2024

Biodegradable pregnancy tests, spiced egg homeware, modular trainers and ocean waste jewellery: what to see at New Designers 2024 New Designers returns to the Business Design Centre in London for its 39th edition from 26 – 29 June and 3 – 6 July 2024 (tickets available now). Championing the best up-and-coming talent the UK has to offer, it unites over 3,000 design graduates from more than 100 university courses across multiple disciplines. Alongside showcasing their creativity and innovations, this annual event serves as a melting pot for new ideas and trends – and this year is no exception. Amidst a

News Edit: 16 May 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Made in Britain: Handcrafted jewellery brand, ‘The Silver Stable’ BM Magazine: Last year, Camilla Cottle took the plunge and launched her jewellery brand, The Silver Stable. She talks to us about what inspired her business and some of the challenges she has faced so far. bmmagazine.co.uk Jewellers recreate historic necklace made from 1,000 pearls for Chatsworth exhibition Sheffield Telegraph: A historic necklace has been recreated by a jeweller – and will go on display at Chatsworth House. sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk Phillips Announces WOMAN TO WOMAN – The Female Voice In

Orion 100c Pulse Welder With Microscope

Orion 100c Pulse Welder With Microscope Orion 100c Pulse Welder With Microscope - a great piece of equipment in excellent condition.  Bought 3 years ago and used minimally during that time due to a change in jewellery direction and outsourcing much of what we needed it for. Has everything needed to just plug and go. I can include an empty argon tank if needed.  RRP brand new on Cooksongold = £5569 Any questions please do get in touch. Cost:   £2950 ONO Location: Burford, Oxfordshire - collection, shipping or drop off available depending on location Contact:  christopherjcrooks@gmail.com

Copenhagen Commitment Summit in London seen as hugely positive step forward

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

Maker Needs Survey, Crafts Council

Maker Needs Survey, Crafts Council   The Crafts Council's annual survey of maker needs has landed, and we want to hear from you! Now in its sixth year, the survey gathers vital intel from craft makers and business owners to inform future resources and initiatives and influence government policy. Complete the survey Understanding what you need to maintain and further your practice is vital to developing our work for artists, designers and makers at all career stages. This is particularly important in the context of COVID-19, Brexit and the future sustainability of your craft businesses. The survey takes 10-15 minutes

News Edit: 13 November 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Beguiling black gems for a dose of gothic glamour Tatler: Jewellery Consultant Mary Sanderson reveals why these darkly alluring stones should be your go-to for party season. www.tatler.com Radford Street has a new hidden gem, The Courtyard Workshop A little bit of stone: Earlier this year, a new business sprung up in Stone; we caught up with the owner Nikki Hough to hear more about The Courtyard Workshop and what it offers. alittlebitofstone.com Collectors charmed by bejewelled bags FT: Fashion houses are betting on combining two of the

20 Years in the Making

20 Years in the Making 27 April - 22 June 2024 Part of Craft Festival’s 20-year celebration Amazingly, Craft Festival has been going for 20 years. What started as a small project with 2000 visitors in Bovey Tracey has grown into the fantastic, diverse and vibrant event it now is, shaping the town where it started into the ‘Capital of Craft’, spreading the word to Cheltenham, Cardiff and online, and perhaps even transforming our views of making to appreciate the handmade that little bit more. In recognition of this, Sarah James, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker, was

Fair Luxury Open House

Fair Luxury Open House Wednesday 18th January ,  2:30 PM Online Fair Luxury Open House: Inclusion in the industry: what it means to be an LGBTQIA+ person within the jewellery profession In the historically conservative world of jewellery, we want to examine and shed light on the challenges being faced by and positive contributions made by, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, both as industry professionals and also our potential customers. In this Open House panel discussion, we will explore the challenges; from the lack of representation to the use of language and self-awareness of learned behaviours and biases, as well

Delicate Like Iron

Delicate Like Iron Jewellery from a private collection 16 July 2021 through 6 February 2022 In the period from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, what is called iron jewellery was very popular: elaborate necklaces, bracelets, pendant earrings, brooches and even rings, filigreed like lace – yet cast from iron. The pieces’ unobtrusive material, clear-cut formal idiom and somewhat inaccessible character reflect the values embraced by society back then: constancy, modesty and reticence. In line with the taste of the time, they feature elements from Gothic architecture or floral ornamental motifs from classical antiquity, such as palmettes, acanthus and

The passing of industry stalwart Chris Sellors

It is with great sadness family jewellers C W Sellors announce the passing of their founder Christopher William Sellors. Surrounded by his family, Chris passed away in the early hours of Monday 4th September at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield where he had been receiving wonderful support and care from their fabulous team of staff and volunteers. Tracing back the success Chris made of his life and business, the journey started with a love of his Derbyshire surroundings and a passion to make his own jewellery designs using the locally sourced Blue John gemstone. What started as a hobby with early

News Edit: 21 April 2023

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   London Craft Week Announces 2023 Programme Arts and Collections: London Craft Week (LCW) returns for its ninth edition with a rich and varied programme of events taking place across the capital from 8th-14th May. www.artsandcollections.com London Craft Week: the most luxurious craft fair in the world The Times: This gathering of extraordinary artisans selling their work takes place from May 8-14 at various locations across the capital. www.thetimes.co.uk What to see at London Craft Week, from Westwood archives to Loewe prize winners Fashion United: From May 8 to

Motion and Forces

Motion and Forces Design Museum, London Monday 17 October, 18.30 – 20.00 Join artist Conrad Shawcross RA, Fashion Designer Beatrix Ong MBE and Director of Patrimony and Exhibitions at Van Cleef & Arpels, Lise MacDonald, as they discuss the significance of motion and forces in their work with the Design Museum Director Tim Marlow. How do designers, creatives and artists make static objects come alive? What are the secrets to making jewellery, artworks or fashion capture motion? Hear these questions explored with Conrad Shawcross RA, one of the UK’s most important sculptors, Director of Patrimony and Exhibitions at Van Cleef

A Family Journey - Around Europe In 10 Days

Boodles launch their new High Jewellery Collection for 2023 around the story of Anthony Wainwright's round the world trip in 1962. Some sixty year later Nohcholas Wainwright makes a simlar journey round Europe to source stones, design pieces and have lots of fun along the way... He writes... We’ll always be a forward-looking business. But once in a while, it’s nice to look back and at my age, I do what I’m told. So when my family co-directors of Boodles said they’d like me to do a Grand Tour of Europe in 10 days, who was I to

MASTERMAKER experience with Shimell & Madden

MASTERMAKER experience with Shimell & Madden   Friday, 17th May 2024 A rare and wonderful opportunity! The extremely talented Luke Shimell and Emma Madden are our May MasterMakers on Friday 17 May. What will you experience with Shimell & Madden? During this special event Emma and Luke will bring a wealth of expert in-depth knowledge, skill, craftsmanship and passion. You’ll hear Emma and Luke talk about their individual career journeys, working as a partnership and how they defined their unique and instantly recognisable style. You’ll see their beautiful maquettes, learn more about their processes, and how they make their pieces with

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

Perfection and Passion - 130 years of the Wellendorff Manufacture

Perfection and Passion - 130 years of the Wellendorff Manufacture Pforzheim Jewellery Museum 11 March - 1 October 2023 The art of jewellery making, whose lines of tradition in technology and design reach back to antiquity, interpreted in a modern way and refined further - this is what the jewellery manufacturer Wellendorff stands for. In 2023, the family business will celebrate its 130th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Pforzheim’s Jewellery Museum is looking back at the individual decades since 1893. For each decade, a precious object from the Wellendorff company that exemplifies its time will be on display. As interventions

Join FORGE as its Open House!

Discover how you can be part of our community, how to get involved and what opportunities there are for you. Have a look around and ask questions any time on Thursday 6th April between 11am - 4pm.  Register your attendance here , FORGE was born out of our founder’s passion to celebrate Hatton Garden’s heritage, promote UK design and protect craft skills, by offering business support and affordable workspace to Artisans and future talent. Our motto is ‘enriching lives through creativity’ and at the heart of that is the belief that creativity is not only inspirational and nurturing but helps

MASTERY. Women in Silver

MASTERY. Women in Silver Ruthin Craft Centre 24 July – 18 September 2021 This is the first exhibition to focus on the UK’s exceptionally talented contemporary women designer silversmiths. Fifty years ago, it would have been impossible to assemble an exhibition like this, as there were so few women working in the field. What was once a totally male discipline has been transformed within three generations. The Mastery exhibitors represent a large cohort of women working at the highest level of silversmithing and include long-established and mid-career artists alongside some emerging makers of exceptional promise. The work itself was chosen

MRE's Advanced Materials for the Future Conference

MRE's Advanced Materials for the Future Conference 23 - 24 April 2024 Business Design Centre, London Returning in its 10th year, MRE's Advanced Materials for the Future Conference. Full of new insights about material research and innovations taking place across the UK. Find targeted seminars on a range of cutting-edge areas such as materials for net zero across a number of sectors. This event enables collaboration between industry and academic communities. The event is sponsored by The Henry Royce Institute. What can you expect? We are planning for targeted seminars on a range of cutting-edge areas such as materials for

The Goldsmiths Company Charity helps to address the cost-of-living crisis

£197,380 awarded in donations and grants to support jewellers and those working in the allied trades The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity has issued multiple cost-of-living grants to charities and apprentices within the trade to support them during this difficult period, using the remainder of the funds from its Covid-19 Fund. Originally created to address the impact of the pandemic, the Covid-19 Fund provided financial support to individuals working in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied trades to help them through a period of hardship and help sustain the craft, skills and future of the industry during what was an unprecedented period in most

Goldsmiths’ Company announces new acquisitions for 2020/2021

The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced its latest acquisitions from the last year for its Collection, which comprises works of art of world class importance. The acquisitions reinforce the Company’s support for contemporary makers through commissions and purchases, in what has been a challenging year for British craftspeople. Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company says that  the report of acquisitions  reveals extraordinary examples of work made for the Collection.  “Our commissions, and purchases recognise and celebrate the quality and handmaking skills of our craft. All the pieces contribute to our wider understanding of contemporary jewellery and silver. They tell

Future Fashion 2021: West London’s Sustainable Fashion Competition

Future Fashion 2021: West London’s Sustainable Fashion Competition What is it? Westfield London is a supporter of entrepreneurs and innovative fashion solutions to create a more sustainable future. In line with  Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s Better Places 2030 strategy , Westfield London, in collaboration with the Royal College of Art, is launching ‘Future Fashion’, a sustainable fashion competition offering London creatives the chance to showcase their work in an exhibition dedicated to eco-friendly art and design, recognising local talent as well as promoting sustainable consumption. The competition will require applicants to submit design plans of their proposed works, which will be assessed by

News Edit: 21th February 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Five minutes with… Emirati entrepreneur Noor Shamma Gulf Business: The founder of an eponymous New York City-based jewellery brand ensures that ethical and sustainable practices are implemented right through the supply chain. gulfbusiness.com What does it actually mean to be an ethical and sustainable jewellery brand? Fashion Journal: How to tell if ‘sustainable’ jewellery brands are really putting in the work, according to the founder of one. fashionjournal.com.au Missoma launches its first fine jewellery collection Harpers Bazaar: The affordable brand branches out with solid gold and diamond pieces.

News Edit: 28 August 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   TV tonight: Katherine Ryan is golden in this jewellery-making competition The Guardian: First round of the bauble competition tonight, judged by top designers Dinny Hall and Shaun Leane. Plus Holier Than Thou, a sharp new comedy. Here’s what to watch this evening. www.theguardian.com When is All That Glitters series two on TV? Start date, judges and contestants as Katherine Ryan returns to host Wales Online: Eight creatives will go head-to-head in the hopes of becoming the 2022 winner. www.walesonline.co.uk All That Glitters: Bristolian jeweller could make jewellery for

MASieraad 2021/2

Call for Applications: MASieraad H-A 2021-2022 - Challenging Gold  Master’s degree in Visual Arts specialization, Jewellery Design, Gold and Silversmithing and a certificate MASieraad H-A December 2021 -  Hasselt Belgium What is MASieraad MASieraad takes a broad view of jewellery. Questioning jewellery critically as art or design is essential for the future of the jewellery profession. MASieraad recognizes the making of jewellery, in its intimate, symbolic, human and material facets, as a learning model for contemporary design in a broad sense. The initiators Gijs Bakker, Ruudt Peters and Ted Noten, represent 50 years of contemporary Dutch jewellery design at its best, while

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

Wallace Chan to show never-seen-before brooch as part of inaugural TEFAF Online

“When I first saw butterflies, as a child, I did not know that butterflies were called butterflies. I asked my mother, ‘what are these flying colours?’ Since then, butterflies have always been flying colours in my eyes.” Jewellery artist and innovator Wallace Chan will showcase ‘In Love with Spring’ for the first time as part of the inaugural TEFAF Online. In line with the fair’s singular “masterpiece” format, Chan presents an exceptional brooch that exemplifies his unique aesthetic, gift for storytelling and technical genius.  ‘In Love with Spring’, created in 2014, conveys Chan’s vision of “flying colours” with meticulous gemstone

A touch of modern romance

When you think of heart-shaped accessories, what springs to mind? For many, thoughts would fly to the heart-shaped chocolate boxes, teddy bears holding heart-shaped cushions and delicate heart pendants that come out in full force around the annual Valentine's Day holiday tradition.  Whilst some may adore these heart-shaped accessories, others have found them to be too sickly and girlish. Whatever your personal opinion of this symbolic shape, the heart has been an iconic motif used throughout period antiques for many centuries.  First created as a symbol of enduring love and romance, the heart shape was first reported at the end

Carmarthen School of Art Virtual Graduate Show 2020

Carmarthen School of Art Graduate Show Friday 26 June 2020 - all summer Carmarthen School of Art @ Coleg Sir Gar create the UK’s largest bespoke and hand built Virtual Reality (VR) gallery to showcase student art and design work Despite the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, staff at Carmarthen School of Art in Wales have created a virtual showcase to celebrate the achievements, creativity and innovation of final year students from all of their Art & Design courses. Students have had a real challenge on their hands to adapt to what has been an unexpected end to their courses

Jewellery Workshop Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Projects at the K2 Academy of Jewellery

Jewellery Workshop Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Projects Thursdays 9 Jan – 19 Mar 2020 Fridays 10 Jan – 20 Mar 2020 Who Is It For? This course is ideal for students who want to learn new techniques and practice their skills or for students who just want to broaden their jewellery knowledge. What Will Be Taught? Each term focuses on a different topic where students will be taught how to explore new designs and ideas within a set theme. The theme can be used for making a specialised piece, which can include different techniques like casting, findings and brooch backs,

Fair Luxury presents at IJL 2019

Fair Luxury present @ IJL 2019 Since its inception in 2016 the Fair Luxury collective has provided a platform of promotion, information and education surrounding the complex topics of ethics and sustainability in today’s jewellery market. Bringing such challenging and ever evolving subjects to a wider audience requires support from our dynamic industry – therefore the Fair Luxury collective are proud to be once again presenting at International Jewellery London for the third year. Fair Luxury would like you to join them at IJL’s ‘Knowledge Hub’ on Tuesday 3 September for what promises to be a diverse discussion of latest

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

Jewellery Workshop Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Projects at the K2 Academy of Jewellery

Jewellery Workshop Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Projects Thursdays 9 Jan – 19 Mar 2020 Fridays 10 Jan – 20 Mar 2020 Who Is It For? This course is ideal for students who want to learn new techniques and practice their skills or for students who just want to broaden their jewellery knowledge. What Will Be Taught? Each term focuses on a different topic where students will be taught how to explore new designs and ideas within a set theme. The theme can be used for making a specialised piece, which can include different techniques like casting, findings and brooch backs,

Q&A: Ed Hole

Ed Hole is Head of CAD Design and 3D Printing at Birmingham based jewellery industry giant Weston Beamor Ltd. He has been at the company since 2003, and for some 14 years he has been creating bespoke pieces and new product development lines for a wide variety of clients. He is an expert CAD Designer and 3D Print specialist and has built up a team specialising in the use of cutting edge technology at the firm. Ed has a BA (Hons) in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do

Experts share insight on non-essential retail shops reopening and provide reassurance on how to shop safely

This week, all non-essential retail shops re-opened after 12 weeks of closure since the COVID-19 outbreak. Hundreds of thousands of non-essential retail shops across England are set to reopen including Shopping centres and shops will look and operate differently compared to three months ago, when the public were last shopping in them.  To inform the public on what to expect and showcase the new changes that have been implemented, shopping expert and TV star Gok Wan along with media doctor Dr Zoe Williams were granted early access to some stores on London’s iconic Oxford Street to find out more before they

SOUL NOW: A workshop with Ruudt Peters

SOUL NOW: A workshop with Ruudt Peters After the success of the last 17 years, this year Ruudt Peters begins his summer workshop under the title SOUL NOW. Peters loves working around universal and ancient concepts. The spiritual aspect of his work, which can be found in his creations, is also what guides him in transmitting knowledge and skills, a bit like Socrates liked to do with the maieutic: to stimulate the disciples to bring out the truth from themselves, truth that is not teachable, but it is a knowledge of the soul.  In this case, Peters also includes an

The Selvedge World Fair 2021

Call for Applications: The Selvedge World Fair The Selvedge World Fair, a celebration of cloth culture and creativity. What's special about this event?  Nurturing the designers and makers who inspire us is crucial to the Selvedge ethos – they are as much a part of our story as we are theirs, and with this event we are bringing the pages of the magazine alive. This event celebrates cloth.  Textiles form an important part of the cultural heritage of every human being on the planet. Whoever you are and wherever you are, there are textiles in your heritage. Textiles are inextricably linked to the history

News Edit: 11 October 2020

Here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   All The Best Jewellery Trends From The SS21 Shows Vogue: With lockdown round two and potential economic doom on the horizon, you might be thinking it’s time to put the fripperies of jewellery to one side. But for spring/summer 2021, designers have proven what all true lovers of jewellery know: its ability to lift your mood is undeniable, as is its power to make you look instantly dressed up – even if off camera, you are pairing it only with your pyjamas. vogue.co.uk London Fashion Week: the need-to-know

Baselworld 2020

Baselworld 2020 Basel Exhibition Centre, Switzerland  30th April - 5th May 2020 Baselworld is the world's foremost show for watches, jewellery, precious stones and related industries. It interconnects the industry’s top brands (including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chopard, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Breitling), the most influential media and the world’s most important buyers. Baselworld is the exclusive platform on which the major watch and jewellery brands present the year’s innovations to an eagerly curious international audience. Everyone who wants to know what the latest trends are and how 2019 “ticks” will find the answers live and firsthand at Baselworld. Dates:  30th

Karl & Lisa @ Gallery Funaki

Karl & Lisa Karl Fritsch and Lisa Walker 14 May - 8 June, 2019 Gallery Funaki, Melbourne, Australia Karl Fritsch and Lisa Walker have been at the forefront of contemporary jewellery for over 20 years, constantly pushing and questioning what jewellery is and can be. They met while studying at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, in the 1990s and moved back to Lisa's home country, New Zealand, in 2010. Anyone with even a passing interest in the field is familiar with the rich ground these two artists have covered in terms of jewellery's meanings, materials, ideas and forms.  Karl Fritsch

Karl & Lisa

For those who are lucky enough to be in Melbourne, Australia, there is still more than a week to visit the Karl & Lisa exhibition at the Funaki Gallery, a double solo show dedicated to two of the most important names in the world of contemporary jewellery writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Lisa Walker necklace, 2019, fabric, stuffing, thread, acrylic paint Lisa Walker necklace, 2019, merino, stuffing, acrylic paint, thread Karl Fritsch and Lisa Walker have been at the forefront of contemporary jewellery for over 20 years, constantly pushing and questioning what jewellery is and can be. They met while studying at the prestigious

Behind the scenes making of the Ottewill Silversmiths ICC Cricket World Cup

The 12th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup officially begins today. For the first time in ten years, it will be hosted by England and Wales. This year, 10 teams will compete over the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy-  replicas of which have beautifully crafted by Ottewill Silversmiths.  Leading up to the event, the trophy has travelled the globe, on what has been dubbed the ''most connected Trophy Tour ever.'' A good thing then that Ottewill Silversmiths are no stranger to prestigious commissions, having worked on many pieces for  The Henley Royal Regatta, as well as the FA Cup [youtube

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

Call to Action on Climate Change: Responsible Jewellery Council Webinar

Call to Action on Climate Change - An Overview of the Jewellery Sector Join a panel of sustainability experts and RJC members as they discuss how to engage with climate action. Part of the RJC SDG Roadshow in partnership with United Nations Global Compact.   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER The business community, including the global jewellery and watch industry, has committed itself to reducing its impact on the planet and to increasing its engagement with climate action. And, during COVID we have seen companies struggling with the crisis continue their commitment to sustainability and responsible business. What can we learn from each other and

Stephen Einhorn Launches Small Signet Jewellery Collection

Combining style, elegance and history, the signet ring is a unique piece of jewellery. Stephen Einhorn’s new unisex Small Signet Collection has all the design sensibilities of his original Signet Collection, it is simply smaller in size.  Stephen has always been particularly drawn to signet rings, combining as they do his two passions for classic design and functionality. After all, what could be better than something that is not only beautiful, but could enable the wearer to leave their mark on the world? “The inspiration behind my new collection all stemmed from my first signet ring. I wanted to create a

Q&A: Tiffany Browne

Tiffany Browne is a Micro Diamond Setter and has worked on some of the most intricate and luxurious pieces which adorn London's Bond Street. With an unconventional entry into industry, she answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? TB: My name is Tiffany Browne, and I'm (mostly) a diamond setter specialising in very fine, close pavé work which I do under microscope. How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? TB: It wasn't the obvious choice for me! I started out studying languages and have an MA in translation. Meeting my husband, whom

Q&A: Mary Michel

Mary Michel is the Director of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths in Edinburgh. She has been with the company for 15 years and is responsible for initiatives such as Elements and the forthcoming online Ethical Making Resource . She also sits on the board of Craft Scotland and is their Vice-Chair. She answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? MM: Mary Michel, I’m the Director of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths in Edinburgh . How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? MM: By happy accident – I started here 15 years ago on a

'Tis the season for gift giving

Scratching your head on what to get your mother, sister, friend or lover this Christmas? A little package dressed up with tassels, bows and frills will cause that sought-after thrill for sure - and that's before they see something extra special and sparkly nestled inside! The old adage 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' may still ring true for many, but here at BenchPeg, we'd argue that bold and colourful gemstones, weighty chains and eccentric designs are just as desirable for that jewellery lover in your life. We all know that there is a keep-forever piece out there for just about

Q&A: Olivia Norman

Olivia Norman is Head of Jewellery at Jessica McCormack Ltd , which has its HQ in Carlos Place , Mayfair, London. She oversees the in-house fine jewellery production for the design led brand, as well as having oversight of main business functions. Olivia was formerly at Shaun Leane for seven years as Commercial Manager and has extensive experience in strategic planning and business development, retail and sales, design, product development and production. She is a graduate of the School of Jewellery in Birmingham.  She answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? ON:  Olivia

Flame Off 2019

Flame Off 2019 31 May - 2 June 2019 Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire Over the last seven years we have brought hundreds of glass beadmakers together in 2 halls over one weekend to play with glass and fire (sounds like a safety officers nightmare!) Ever wondered how some of the top artists work things like fine stringers? or what their encasing techniques are? Upstairs in the top hall we have the best worldwide lamp work artists demonstrating infront of cameras which seats 150 people, those images are beamed onto large high definition screens making it very easy to watch

Get Ready for Laidback Luxe

 It's that time of year that leaves you in a bit of a style conundrum - relaxed laidback comfort for at-home mooching or showstopping glam for all those festive drinks and parties galore! Striking that perfect balance between comfort, quality and style is no easy feat which is why we've scouted the best laidback luxe looks for you this party season. Not everyone wants to go all out with the glitz and glamour of showstopping pieces dripping in colour, gemstones and glitter. Pieces that intrigue with subtle hints of chic design and detailing is exactly what designers have been tapping

Handmade Interact | The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair

Handmade Interact | The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair 23-28 March 2021 We are now accepting applications to exhibit at the second edition of Handmade Interact | The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair. Be a part of a carefully curated event of diverse UK-based contemporary makers. The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair will provide fresh, on-demand content, where visitors will experience the fair through a series of interactive “Live Sessions”, “Workshops”, “Demonstrations” and more with our exhibitors. See what we got up to during our first edition in November 2020 here. Whilst open to all, this new edition will focus on Women in

Top Jewellery Brands To Shop in 2020

When it comes to selecting your favourite pieces of jewellery, it's a bit like picking your favourite fragrance - personal.  Some will always opt for golden showstoppers, others will love nothing but silver whilst others may prefer the mix and match of bright colours and different textures. Whilst the majority of us will vary on our top jewellery picks, what remains the same for everyone is the need for our jewellery accessories to suit our personality. Whether you're more partial to a chic and classic style or prefer the glitz and glam of eye-popping drama, there's nothing like wearing a

News Edit: 24 March 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Beyond Fabergé: Bykovs And Russian Jewelry Renaissance Forbes: From the Tsars to the Kardashians, uniqueness outweighs carat-count when it comes to fine jewelry ownership. forbes.com Meet Göran Kling, Who Is Crafting Street-Smart “Slang” Jewelry in Sweden Vogue: Peer out jeweler Göran Kling’s window and what do you see? An abandoned concrete factory riddled with graffiti. vogue.com Contraceptive Jewellery Could Be The Next Method Of Birth Control Independent: Contraceptive jewellery is currently being tested by scientists as a new form of birth control. independent.co.uk Mystery of the largest hoard of Celtic

Domino marry new collection with improved retailer support

Dominos new wedding ring collection has launched, with not only new styles to satiate customers varied tastes but also a swiss-army knife of business support services for retailers. The 2019 ring collection is set to impress the most minimal of customers, with plain bands at different widths, to the most maximal; with engraving, signet rings, and bespoke diamond coverage- and everyone in-between.  The increase in variety ensures end customers should be able to find what they desire within the collection. New styles include three new delicate diamond set styles, five new plain profiles, twenty-two new shaped and decorative designs, twelve

The Hottest Earwear for Spring 2019

It's no secret that bags, scarfs and shoes take centre stage attention when it comes to runway accessories but this season we'll see powerful jewellery hogging the limelight. As the saying goes, the bigger the better and that's exactly what designers have kept in mind when it comes to this season's earwear.  Eye-catching droppers marked the finishing look to all ensembles to come down the catwalks, turning many a head with their bright intricate detailing and bold sculptural shapes. Big head-turning earrings are nothing new when it comes to jewellery collections but this year, there are several distinct takes on the statement

Vanilla Ink Open Day

Vanilla Ink Open Day Glasgow, Scotland 10 - 11 April 2019 Vanilla Ink is throwing open its doors to give you a chance to have a good nosey and find out all about the Jewellery School in the West End of Glasgow. Ever wondered what it is we do and all the things we offer, or simply after some tool porn? For the first time since we moved in to our West End location, Vanilla Ink is having an Open Day(s) and welcoming you in to have a wander. This will be a chance for you to come and have

News Edit: 21 July 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   How the Moon Landing Changed Jewelry History Town and Country: Jewelers have always looked to the heavens, but the Apollo 11 mission inspired a new era of designs. www.townandcountrymag.com Serena Williams Wears the Most Unusual Ear Jewelry in Harper’s Bazaar Feature In Store Magazine: A new Serena Williams feature in Harper’s Bazaar is sure to attract attention. But what might be most interesting to jewelers is the unique ear ornament she wore in one of the photos. We’re not even sure you can call this Gucci accessory an earring. instoremag.com

Wax Carving and Delft Clay Casting Course - Brighton

Wax Carving And Delft Clay Casting Course - Brighton Print Werks, Brighton BN2  14 October - 18 November 2019 Objectives To learn or refine skills in wax carving with the objective of learning casting in house, using Delft Clay with the option of addition of adding gemstones to your designs.   You will be guided through how to carve wax, adapt carving tools to suite your needs, what the limitations and flexibility of carving wax and refining your skills.   You will be shown and will yourself learn how to use Delft Clay to create moulds into which you will pour

Jewellery: Anthropological Perspectives Lecture by Max Carocci

K Presents: Jewellery - Anthropological Perspectives Lecture by Max Carocci At K Academy of Contemporary Jewellery, London 27 February 2019  |  18:00 - 20:00 Jewellery: Anthropological Perspectives What is the purpose of jewellery? How does jewellery function in culture? This lecture/presentation explores the reasons for making decorative artifacts. It explains how it operates in the world of symbolic communication showing how jewellery has a fundamental role to play in culture and society. Anthropologist Max Carocci will discuss jewellery from an anthropological viewpoints through lavish images of jewellery and decoration form around the world.  British Museum-based anthropologists Max Carocci has been

Jewelfund 2019

Call for Appliations: JewelFund 2019 £1000 Grant Available for Jewellers What is JewelFund? Since launching Jewellers Academy membership a year ago I have been so excited to see the progress of the 300 + jewellers that have joined us and committed to growing their businesses to date. There is so much you can do as a small business owner nowadays to but  I do know one of the barriers to growth can be money. This is why I’m so pleased to announce the launch of JewelFund for the second year.’ Jessica Rose. Award-winning founder of the Hatton Garden based London

Jerwood Bursaries 2020

Jerwood Bursaries What do you need to progress your practice and/or career? Jerwood Bursaries provide funding of up to £1,250 to expand and invigorate your artistic practice, enabling you to experiment with new ideas and undertake self-defined professional development activity. We want you to have the opportunity to begin research on fresh ideas and pursue new skills and approaches independently, on your own terms. This might include exploring new materials or collaborations, specialist mentoring, or participation in professional training, conferences and workshops. You are likely to have done some existing research into your idea, but it should not have had

We like big hearts and we cannot lie

What better way is there to make a statement than with a whole load of heart? This summer we welcome the return of statement-making and colourful pieces versus the dainty and delicate trend that trumped the chic list for so long. The heart motif is an ever-popular choice; from text emoticons, clothing embellishments to tattoo design but possibly the most powerful of all is when it appears in the jewellery we wear. These days, the heart motif can represent a range of core themes from friendship and affection to deep romantic love and devotion. A significant motif in antique jewellery,

Flexibility, Creativity & Productivity: The New Industry Model for Working

In 1926, Henry Ford introduced the 8-hour working day, now not-so-lovingly colloquialised as ‘the 9-5’. Back then, this revolution changed the way people lived- from working 10-16 hours a day, 6 days a week, to what reformist Robert Owen formulated as “eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest” .  The dramatic decrease in hours actually led to higher productivity, and consequently higher profit margins. This model has reigned supreme for almost a century, but now people are now beginning to question whether it’s time to rethink working patterns once again. The Swedish famously trialled a 6-hour workday, in

The Beauty Issue, AUTOR Magazine

Call for Submissions: The Beauty Issue, AUTOR Magazine AUTOR Magazine no 6 Submissions are OPEN. The Beauty Issue How do you define beauty? What pleases your eye and tickles your heart and your mind? Which is your interpretation of the interconnection between beauty, jewellery and the body in our shared “now”? Beauty and Jewellery have always been intimately connected and evolved through time side by side. Observe art, watch a movie, or look around you in the real world. Beauty usually is framed by jewellery. And jewellery as an “addition” and an “extra”, attempts to enhance beauty and bring it

Getting Started 2019

Call for Applications: Getting Started 2020 World-renowned British designer Solange Azagury-Partridge announced as keynote speaker for getting started 2020  The Goldsmiths’ Centre, the UK’s leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths, announced world-renowned British designer Solange Azagury-Partridge as its keynote speaker for its prestigious business taster programme, Getting Started 2020. Renowned for her jewellery and interior designs, Solange will be in conversation with 30 of the most talented recent UK graduates from a Precious Metal or related course about how she founded her successful brand, Solange, and what it is like to be the owner of two major boutiques

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

GIA’s Knowledge Discussion Captures the Importance of Sustainability and Ethics

If you have ever wondered, “what does sustainability mean in jewellery and why should we care?” then GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) recent Knowledge Session, where experts offer a trove of knowledge based on their experience and expertise, has answers for you. The webinar offered insights into consumer demand for ethically sourced materials, the importance of sustainability and ethics, and transparency in the gem and jewelry supply chain. A recording of the panel discussion is available  here . This eye-opening discussion was moderated by author and journalist Melanie Grant, who expanded on topics discussed in her book, "

Q&A: Fei Liu

Fei Liu was the first Chinese born student to attend the School of Jewellery, Birmingham, moving specifically from China to attend the historical jewellery school. Some twenty years later he is the founder of an eponymously named multi award winning jewellery brand of international repute. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A... What’s your name, and what do you for a living? My name is Fei Liu. I established my own brand, Fei Liu Fine Jewellery, which allows me to share my art through jewellery, and enjoy the perks of gem hunting. How did you come to work in the jewellery industry?

Introducing 'Living Coral' Pantone's Colour of the Year 2019

Colour-giant, Pantone, have proclaimed ‘Living Coral’ the colour of the year for 2019. With each passing year, it seems that Pantone’s influence becomes increasingly ubiquitous; permeating all aspects of marketing, design and culture.  Here, Benchpeg puts together a guide to the colour, its meaning and possible colour combinations to equip you with what you need to know as a jeweller.  The inspiration ‘Living coral’ prescribes a return to nature in a world more and more engulfed and shaped by technology. Pantone say: “Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral emits the desired, familiar and energizing aspects of colour found in nature. In its

Q&A: Jos Skeates

Jos Skeates a Goldsmith and the Co-Founder, along with wife Alison, of the leading, multi award winning, Central London jewellery boutique EC One the Jewellers. He is also the Chairman of the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? JS: Jos Skeates, Goldsmith and owner of E.C.One the Jewellers.  How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? JS: Total chance. I was looking for a summer job when I was sixteen and saw an advert for an apprentice Diamond Mounter. I’ve never looked back.  How

The Benevolent Society bestow 50 goodwill hampers to beneficiaries

The Benevolent Society were delighted to identify up to 50 of their hardest up and longest standing beneficiaries and to send to each of them this week a beautiful hamper full of goodies as a timely reminder that they have not been forgotten. The Society issued a statement which said: "With all of the talk of worldwide pandemic, economic disaster, job losses, the NHS being overwhelmed, it is important that we do not forget those that have gone before us and contributed so much to making our great industries what they are today." Simon Dawe the BenSoc Chairman said: “It

Q&A: Wallace Chan

Wallace Chan is a world-renowned jewellery maker and innovator. After leaving school at 13, and becoming a jewellers apprectice, he opened his own workshop in 1974. His 45 years (and counting) in the industry has been landmarked by innovation. His breakthrough techniques have revolutionised the jewellery industry, notably taming titanium for use in high jewellery and creating unbreakable porcelain. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A... What’s your name, and what do you for a living? WC: I am Wallace Chan, a jewellery creator and sculptor. How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? WC: I began as a gemstone [youtube

Q&A: David Fowkes

David Fowkes has been running his own atelier, David Fowkes Jewellery, for the last 25 years. He specialises in bespoke, avant garde jewellery designs, painstakingly sourcing unique stones, cut and faceted by specialist artisan stone cutters making use of geometric lines and natural inclusions within the stones themselves. He has exhibited regularly at the Goldsmiths' Fair and is based in a Grade I listed Coach House, set in the grounds of the 18th Century Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire.  He answers the Benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? DF:  David Fowkes, I spend my day playing

Open Days at West Dean

Open Days at West Dean Saturday 8 February 2020 West Dan College, Chichester Book your place at open day and see for yourself why 97% of students would recommenstudying at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation (2018 student survey). A visit to the College is the perfect opportunity to: Meet the tutors and discuss study options See the large studios, workshops and  brand new  science facilities Tour the student accommodation and library Chat with current students about student life and what it's really like to study here Explore the historic interiors used for site-specific work Find out more about

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

The London Artisan July 2019

The London Artisan 20 & 21 July 2019 Old Truman Brewery, London “ The best fair in London to buy direct from Designer Makers ” The London Artisan is a curated marketplace in the heart of East London. Taking place on a quarterly basis throughout the year, we bring 60 contemporary designer makers to Old Truman Brewery for a two-day design event. The London Artisan offers a diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent producers and makers and is a must for those passionate about handmade, organic and sustainable goods. What can I expect? The London Artisan presents a unique selection

Bringing Back Brooches for A/W '19

Big, bold, bodacious and dripping in retro vibes, the return of brooches is one of the most fun and surprising jewellery trends for A/W '19. Be it surfer-style corn shells, regal pearls or badass chokers, we know by now that what is old becomes new again, and for brooches, this once outdated accessory is set to become the  must-have  accessory for Autumn fashionistas. Combined with the arrival of heritage-inspired straight legs suits and cardigans galore upon the A/W runways, quirky oversized brooches complete the cosy, practical grandma-esque aesthetic that designers have favoured this Autumn. For those of us wanting 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

Go Bold, Go Big, Go Beautiful

What better way to kick off a brand new year than with a big, bright and colourful bang?​ This season, it's all about piling it up, layering it on and going for the real 'wow' factor when it comes to your accessories game. With collections rich in bold origami necklaces, statement candy coloured gemstone rings, designers have crafted their pieces to be worn in a mix , non-matching fashion. Wave goodbye to the dainty days of last year and hello to bold, brash and bright oversized jewellery. From clusters of rich colour to quirky designs interlaced with different textures and materials,

Jewellery Quarter Festival and Open Studios Open Day Event – Selling Opportunity

Call for Applications: Jewellery Quarter Festival, Open Studios & Open Day Event A Selling Opportunity 29 th  June 2019 School of Jewellery, Birmingham As part of the Jewellery Quarter Open Studios we announce a call out for exhibitors to take part in our School of Jewellery Open Day event on Saturday 29 June – 10am-4pm We are looking for our school Alumni who are trading as jewellery designer makers and currently running their own business. We are offering a ‘market’ stall selling event in the Vittoria street gallery, our main atrium. Limited spaces available so apply now   What you get

Coin Jewellery: The Antique Pieces for Spring

This season is all about throwing light back to archaeological treasures and bringing to life antique coins and medallions with modern interpretations. Given a modern twist of light and delicate chains that are perfect for being worn solo or layered with an array of other chains, coin jewellery is every fashion friend's favourite look for Spring. Dangling from dainty hoops or bundled into a shimmery bib necklace, spring medallions and coins are a simple way of adding a touch of antique demure with elegant simplicity. What makes this Spring trend such a money grabber is its diversity as an accessory.

Introducing the latest Harry Winston collection ‘Winston Gates’

Signature design codes from luxury maisons are often reinterpreted time and time again, however, Harry Winston’s latest jewellery collection looks to a unique part of the brand’s history for inspiration writes Jodie Smith. What do you think of when you hear the name Harry Winston? Renowned for his acquisition of some of the world’s most famous diamonds such as the Jonker, Hope, and Winston Legacy diamonds - as well as his philanthropic pursuits - Harry Winston is a name usually associated with enormous jewels, like the headline grabbing purple sapphire and diamond necklace which Jennifer Lopez sported on the Met Gala

Cooksongold Coronavirus Statement

In a statement issued on Tuesday 31st March Cooksongold issued the following statement regardign trading: "Over the last few weeks, we have announced a number of changes to our business operation, working hard to balance what is right for our staff, our customers and the wider jewellery trade. We are constantly reviewing the situation with the latest government information, the feedback from our teams and customers, assessing if we can continue to take and despatch orders in a safe way. Whilst the UK Government has said online retailers can and should operate as normal, we no longer feel this is the

Spring into Colour

With what feels like most of the world working from home these days, many of us are going to have a lot more time on our hands. More time stuck indoors in our pyjamas may well be disastrous for the old waistline but does give plenty of opportunities to swat up on the spring runway jewellery trends! Between clothing, accessories, furniture and makeup trends, Spring's jewellery trends are by far the most fun and adventures to play with. As new collections are released every week, we're seeing designers forgo the single-use of gold and silver for an explosion of colour

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

AUTOR International Contemporary Jewelry Fair 2019

AUTOR International Contemporary Jewelry Fair 2109 20 – 21st April 2019 National Theatre Bucharest, Romania “Beauty never sleeps” How do you evaluate the beauty of a jewelry? Should a piece of jewelry be beautiful so that we become more beautiful? What do you say? Autor Contemporary Jewelry International Fair aims at answering with 100 designers coming from four continents and bringing over 2000 pieces of jewelry. Beauty can be disruptive. AUTOR 2019 puts the spotlight on the innate relationship between jewelry and beauty. It challenges you to see beyond the limits of your regular beliefs and to express your beauty

Raw Pearls Celebrate After Record Breaking IJL

Raw Pearls, one of the UK’s leading pearl jewellery suppliers, have announced that they had their most successful IJL ever after exhibiting there earlier this week for what was their 6 th  year at Olympia.   Many visitors took advantage of the discounted prices Raw Pearls had on offer as part of their huge clearance sale at the show. They have reported that the most popular items were cultured Tahitian strings, nucleated freshwater strings both round and baroque, and also, in line with recent fashion trends, larger baroque freshwater strings. Director, Miranda Raw went on to say “We were thrilled with

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

Adorn – ‘Made in Essex’

Call for Applications: Adorn – ‘Made in Essex’  Colchester Castle, Essex July 2019 to February 2020 Colchester Museums is looking for jewellery makers with a connection to Essex to exhibit in ‘Adorn: People and Jewellery, the human story,’ the next major exhibition at Colchester Castle. ‘Adorn’ will showcase and celebrate the glitz and glamour of Colchester Museums’ collections. Focussing on personal adornment and especially jewellery, it will explore what the people of Essex have chosen to wear as personal adornment through history. The take-away concept is that although materials and styles have changed, people’s desire to express themselves through personal

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

Welcome to The Spring Garden Party

What would Spring be without the excitement of fresh blooms and buds poking their heads through making our weekend walks vibrant and pretty? Well, it looks like this season, designers are taking the excitement of nature and putting it right at the very heart of their runway designs. Flowers of all shapes, sizes, colours and textures were in abundance across the runways, adorning the models like draped vines of wild garden bundles. From small, delicate and dainty blossom to bold and dramatic oversized fauna, there's a take on this spring garden trend to meet the style and personality of everyone.

Friday Workshop at K2 Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery

Friday Workshop at K2 Academy Of Contemporary Jewellery, London Intermediate & Advanced Projects 10 Week Course - Fridays 11 Jan - 22 Mar 2019 Who is it for? This course is ideal for students who don’t want to commit to a certificated course or who have finished an accredited course but want to learn and practice more, or for students who just want to broaden their skills. What will be taught? Each term focuses on a different topic where students will be taught how to explore new designs and ideas within a set theme. The theme can be used for

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

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

App-ccessories: The Rise of Wearable Tech

Humans have adorned themselves in jewels, metal mixes and delicately embellished accessories for tens of thousands of years. But for what reason? The answer quite simply put is because jewellery looks pretty. Bejewelled adornments, up until now, has had a limited repertoire of functionality. The mirage of glistening and sparkling rings we flash upon our fingers may well tell us the status of our relationship whilst that watch on your wrist tells you the time of day but aside from this, they provide very little purpose. In most circumstances, the jewellery we wear is purely to add a little charm,

Phillips Presents ‘Jewels Now’ a solo exhibition featuring Lauren Adriana

International auction house Phillips will be hosting ‘ Lauren Adriana, Jewels Now ’, a landmark exhibition tagged as ' A Radical Reimagining of the Future of Jewels ' taking place in New York and London. Lauren Adriana creates unique, bold, abstract jewels in a dazzling array of gemstones. Her commitment to abstraction over naturalism sets her jewels apart from others and creates the graphic and sculptural quality that is becoming Lauren Adriana's signature. On the exhibition Sarah O'Brien, International Director, Jewellery, said: "Lauren Adriana, Jewels Now presents a new way of looking at jewels, setting a fresh dialogue for what

News Edit: 4 November 2018

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Alexander McQueen's favourite jeweller Shaun Leane turns his hand to buildings The Telegraph: Shaun Leane has never quite toed the line when it comes to what we expect of a fine jeweller. It was Leane who created the major pieces that came to define... www.telegraph.co.uk Why Heinz Mayer is the chosen supplier to the Jeweller of Her Majesty, The Queen of England First Classe: The independent German jeweller has been the steadfast supplier to the official jewellers of the palace for decades despite being a small company of only approximately

All About That Pink

The jewellery world is taking an effortlessly chic and charmingly stylish hint towards sugar-coated tones of feminity. So what is this colour that's sweeping across new season collections? Think Pink! Trend setters all over have embraced this romantic trend with all things feminine and fun and full of whimsical charm. From pretty sherbert pinks, rich raspberry, pale rose hints to delicious candy floss hues, designers have had fun combining exquisite craftmanship with playful colour spectrum combinations and design. The dainty and delicate array of pinks currently on trend delight when paired with the vintage feel of rose-gold, lending a ladylike

Strike Gold this November

If there was ever a time to wear something sparkly, special and striking, the season of festive frivolities, parties and celebrations would be it! With the arrival of November and her sweeping chill in the air,  your inbox will become one of popularity as  nights of festive fun and mischief begin to come knocking! With that in mind, it's time to add a  touch of delicate glitz, glamour and charm to your holiday look and what better way than with a strike of timeless gold?! A touch of gold provides a classic look of elegance that is gorgeously feminine when worn

University of Brighton MA Craft Graduation Show 2018

Work by Harriet Laurence will be on display University of Brighton MA Craft Graduation Show 15 September to 6 November 2018 This display of exciting, contemporary work by MA students at the University of Brighton ranges from jewellery and ceramics to enamelling, polymers and metal work. The show gives you a chance to see what inspires the students, whether experimenting with waste materials, connecting to landscapes or collaborating with particular groups of people. Tickets Free admission Venue Hove Museum & Art Gallery, 19 New Church Road, Hove BN3 4AB Exhibition run 15 September to 6 November 2018 More Information brightonmuseums.org.uk

Mari Funaki Award Announce 2018 Winners

Benedikt Fischer, has been announced as the winner of the 2018 Mari Funaki Award for Contemporary Jewellery in the Established category for his series of five Pearly Whites brooches, made from shell, mother of pearl, remanium and sculpey. Benedikt receives A$8000 (£4,379.78) and his work will enter the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria (subject to approval of the Board of Trustees). The judges said of this work: "What stands out in these pieces is the freshness and humour, as well as the incredible material resolution and skill. It’s difficult to work with shell and create something that isn’t

Gang of thieves raid Cotswold Arts and Craft Museum

A gang of thieves launched a raid on the award-winning Court Barn Arts and Craft Museum and in what looks to be a premeditated crime, took off with a number of silver pieces dating back to 1900. The items taken range from pieces by architect and designer Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942), Hart Silversmiths who joined Ashbee in Campden in 1902 and who still make silver today and designer Robert Welch (1929-2000). They include a silver pendant in the form of a butterfly with wings of enamel and a blue enamel pendant, c1902. The Museum opened in 2007 to  preserve and

Intermediate & Advanced Workshop Projects at K2 Academy

Intermediate & Advanced Workshop Projects at K2 Academy 10 Week Course - Fridays 20 April 2018 - 6 July 2018 What will be taught? Each term focuses on a different topic where students will be taught how to explore new designs and ideas within a set theme. This term we concentrate on casting with an overall theme of 'Food glorious food' and we will start off with an inspirational research into food in the widest sense. From the food itself, to food packaging, cooking utensils etc.  This theme can then used for making a specialised piece, which can include different

1 Year Contemporary Jewellery Course at City Lit with Elizabeth Bone

1 Year Contemporary Jewellery Course at City Lit with Elizabeth Bone 17 January 2019 - 21 November 2019  Delve into the world of contemporary jewellery and develop your skills in drawing, design, critical thinking and technical skills. This rigorous, multi-disciplinary, certificated, level two equivalent year long course is suitable for intermediate to  advanced jewellers. Get to grips with a series of practical projects which will culminate in an end of year public exhibition.  Course Dates 17 January 2019 - 21 November 2019  Time 10:30 - 16:30  Location Keeley Street  Tutor Elizabeth Bone For more information www.citylit.ac.uk/courses What is the course

ILJ KickStart winners announced

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

News Edit 1 April 2018

A round up of this week's news... Hatton Garden heist suspect is son of biology pioneer The Times: A jewellery designer believed to be the mysterious tenth man in the Hatton Garden heist is the son of a pioneering Cambridge biophysicist, The Times can reveal. www.thetimes.co.uk Where to buy the best vintage, period and antique jewellery The Telegraph: No matter what today’s jewellers come up with, no matter how sophisticated the designs or exquisite the materials, I never fail to be charmed by vintage and antique jewellery. www.telegraph.co.uk Kate Middleton's wedding tiara heads up 'dazzling' Canberra exhibition SBS News: Iconic

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

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

Haunting Jewels of Winter

The mischievous weekends of chills, shrills, thrills and kills is nearly upon us and what better way to make a heart-stopping entrance than in a killer display of demure-soldering jewels? Those with their prowling fingers hot on the fashion pulse will have already seen the winter collections unfurling designs dripping in dramatic sensualism, extravagant grandeur and bold bodacious looks to kill. Keeping this mysterious trend on the side of sultry romanticism rather than gothic doom and gloom, look for single statement pieces encrusted with eye-catching rich jewels, flirty accents of charm, extravagant baroque accents and multi-layered chains of mixed metals

BRON - Ruudt Peters

Bron - Ruudt Peters Retrospective A  BRON  (source) is a beginning, a starting point. Different ‘things’ are bubbling up and coming out of sources, both literally as well as figuratively. In SOURCE, the retrospective exhibition of Ruudt Peters, the sources of his work are the main focus. Peters shares in this exhibition not only his work, but also what inspires him at the deepest level. Alchemy, nature, the human body, beauty, the subconscious, intuition, spirituality and sexuality; everything has been a source of inspiration and was the beginning of a quest for Peters. His starting point is his curiosity in the

Appointment: Julie Driscoll announced Managing Director, Pure London

Pure London, the fashion buying trade show, has announced the appointment of Julie Driscoll as Managing Director with immediate effect. Previously the show’s Portfolio Director, Julie’s promotion to Managing Director will drive a host of exciting changes and new launches for the February show, taking place from the 11th – 13th February 2018. Julie Driscoll said of the appointment: “It is a very exciting time in the evolution of Pure London and I’m looking forward to working with our fantastic team, our partners, suppliers and exhibitors to continue to improve on  what we offer, making Pure London truly unmissable. Our AW18/19 manifesto sets

Appointments: Julie Driscoll announced Managing Director, Pure London

Pure London, the fashion buying trade show, has announced the appointment of Julie Driscoll as Managing Director with immediate effect. Previously the show’s Portfolio Director, Julie’s promotion to Managing Director will drive a host of exciting changes and new launches for the February show, taking place from the 11th – 13th February 2018. Julie Driscoll said of the appointment: “It is a very exciting time in the evolution of Pure London and I’m looking forward to working with our fantastic team, our partners, suppliers and exhibitors to continue to improve on  what we offer, making Pure London truly unmissable. Our AW18/19 manifesto sets

Fair Luxury Presents, Goldsmiths’ Centre

Fair Luxury Presents Goldsmiths’ Centre 18th September – 27th October 2017 This first of-its-kind exhibition will demonstrate a new view of what it means to offer ‘fair luxury’ in a contemporary and evolving marketplace. It will explore how fine jewellery can be made all the more exquisite when provenance, ethics and responsible business practice work in synergy with design and craftsmanship. Fair Luxury Presents aims to reach a broad audience with interest in luxury jewellery, UK craftsmanship and ethical sourcing. Building on the overwhelming success of two years of industry focused events, Fair Luxury now bring their independent and catalytic

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.

Foundation Programme, The Goldsmiths' Centre

Call for Applications: Foundation Programme at The Goldsmiths' Centre Are you aged 16 to 19? Do you love working with your hands? Get the best skills, tools, training and confidence to start your career as a goldsmith on our Foundation Programme. What is the Foundation Programme? Our full-time Foundation Programme provides you and other young people with the core skills to begin working in jewellery, silversmithing or the allied industries. As part of a small group of ten, you will spend a full year being taught by the UK’s leading craftspeople in modern and fully-equipped workshops at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.

A Touch of Noir

When we think of diamonds we're used to picturing white sparkly stones, so what if we were to say that alongside those bright glistening stones is a dark step sister that is becoming equally popular? In recent years, the demand and popularity for nonconventional stones - particularly in engagement rings- has found black diamonds to be one of the most popular choices of fancy-coloured diamonds. Previously held in low regard, natural-colour black diamonds continued to be unpopular until designers started to implement them into their collections in the late 20th century; often contrasting them with colourless pave diamonds. Perhaps the

Daiwa Foundation Small Grants 2018

Daiwa Foundation Small Grants Grants of £2,000-£7,000 are available to individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan to promote and support interaction between the two countries. In order to fund as many applications as we possibly can, given our limited budget, we typically award £3,000 to successful Small Grant applications. Our funding rarely covers an application’s budget in full, but is meant to be a “contribution” to the proposed project. What kind of project is eligible? Daiwa Foundation Small Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and

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

Jada Dubai launch £200,000 diamond encrusted shoe

Jada Dubai has launched a new collection that could happily solve a heap of 'What should I buy for Valentine's' dilemmas but cheapskates might like to look away now since the Maison's piece de resistance will cost just shy of £220,000. The “Imperative of Royalty” collection is a range of unique jewel encrusted high heeled shoes with the Masterpiece the first in the world to be bejeweled with 54 carats of white diamonds and 416,2 carats white sapphires.  A mix of yellow gold and platinum has been used inside and on the soles and having taken an entire year to

Adorn Your Wrists With Taste & Style

The world is buzzing with over 7 million individual bodies all bustling and running between their daily activities and schedules. 7 million unique personalities striving to pave the way for a unique style status and what better way than through the jewels that you wear. A piece of jewellery holds a lot more power than simply looking pretty, it also reveals a lot about its owner, from their style, taste, their personality and status. A jewellery adornment that is commonly overlooked in favour of flamboyant show-stopping earrings and necklace, the bracelet is an elegant and stylish way to add a

Wayne Meeten wins another Gold at the #JewelleryOscars

Internationally renowned silversmith Wayne Meeten picked up another gong at the #JewelleryOscars, the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Awards, this month. Meeten’s piece, ‘Spirit of Energy’ took Gold in the three dimensional finished piece category. The work was a commission made for a client “who was having a house built in the West Country, in Devon by the Estuary. It was designed to be placed under their new glass staircase.” The silversmith said. The  client’s design brief was to design a centre piece with the wonders of the sun as its reference. My client chose their building plot, what will eventually

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

Precious Peridot: The Birthstone of August

With a zesty lime-green glow and gorgeous olive undertones, Peridot is the striking birthstone for all those celebrating their birthdays in adventurous August! The gorgeous green vibrancy of Peridot is what sets it apart from all the gemstones aside from the fact that it is only one of a handful of gemstones that occurs in only one colour. Whilst peridot is famous for its Pantone 'greenery' hues, the plethora of green tones can vary quite dramatically. From pale mint greens, woody olive tones to sparkling bright lime highlights, the signature colour of peridot resides entirely from its internal chemical composition

Golden Fever for New Season Refinement

Simplistic. Elegant, Timeless. Classic yellow gold is making a comeback within a new wave of modernist jewellery design, making it the perfect accessory for adding a touch of complimentary refinement to the new season.  What comes to mind when someone mentions gold accessories is times-past bandwagon of big, bold and unashamedly in your face.  Fast forward to 2018 and the hustle-bustle of life makes for no down-time so jewellery that works for day-to night ease and wearability is top of our priorities. Yellow gold has undergone a sleek new makeover with the mood of pared-down delicacy sweeping brash and loud

Meet the Experts at Jewellery and Watch 2018

In partnership with  Jewellery & Watch , taking place on the 4 th  until the 8 th  of February, the  NAJ  will be hosting five ‘ Meet the Expert ’ events on the NAJ stand (Hall 17 U22/W23). The sessions have been devised in a direct response to what is happening in the business environment and will offer solutions to businesses wanting to gain competitive advantage during 2018. A different expert will be on the stand each day of the show and available for 15-minute, one-to-one appointments from 11am-12pm and 1pm-2pm. Sessions with the experts are pre-bookable, you can read

Electroforming Jewellery Course at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery

Electroforming Jewellery at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery 3 Day Course 23 Mar 2018- 25 Mar 2018 What will be taught? In this three-day workshop, you will be introduced to the electroforming technique, to create unique jewellery pieces, small objects and samples in copper. The course is designed to discover the potential of the technique as it allows you to create intricate, complex three-dimensional shapes. You can produce unique, hollow and lightweight pieces which cannot be done in any other technique. First you will learn about the principles of electroforming. We will then select suitable objects, from plastic ready-mades, to found

Princess Royal Training Award

Call for Applications: Princess Royal Training Award Applying for a Princess Royal Training Award will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on what you have achieved through your investment in training. The awards are free to enter and are open to organisations of all sizes, and from all sectors in the UK. Entrants will receive tailored support throughout the application process.  Apply now Applications are open from 02 January – 29 March 2018 . A prestigious awards ceremony to celebrate those who receive the award will take place in the autumn. The Awards provide you with one-to-one support through

National Trust Artisan & Craft Retail Open Call 2018

Call for Applications: National Trust Artisan & Craft Retail Open Call 2018 For a second year running the National Trust launch the 2018 National Trust Artisan & Craft Retail Open Call. This is an opportunity for talented makers to develop a product range inspired by their special properties and places. The product range of the successful maker will be launched in up to 10 stores across the country, helping to support British craft and continue to grow the nation's love of National Trust properties. Applications will be shortlisted against the below criteria: Quality Concept Commercial potential What they are looking for: A maker with a high level of aesthetic vision

Call for Applications: London Design Fair 2018

Call for Applications: London Design Fair 2018 Now firmly established as the Fair of the Festival the 2017 edition saw record numbers of visitors during the Festival. 550 exhibitors from over 36 different countries packed the halls of the Truman Brewery to create the industries most exciting place to meet and do business during the Festival. Ensuring our exhibitors reach their target audience amongst our 28,000 visitors, whether that be retailers, architects, interior designer or press, is what we do best. Our bespoke team are here to help. London Design Fair hosts the largest collection of international exhibitions, designers, brands,

Gemfields and Fabergé Unveil Laser Inscribed Emerald

Gemfields and Fabergé have unveiled what is believed to be the world’s first emerald, laser-inscribed with traceability information and a personalised message. The 4.11 carat, lively green emerald-cut gemstone was mined at Gemfields’ Kagem emerald mine in Zambia. The gem was then acquired and mounted by Fabergé as a custom-crafted item for the successful winner of a charity auction held by the charity mothers2mothers at Salma Hayek Pinault’s London home in November. As part of the prize, the winners will also travel to Gemfields’ Kagem mine in Zambia to see for themselves the very source of their unique emerald, as

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

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Tropicool Charm for Summer

You've got the paradise destination ready and booked, your holiday wardrobe is getting locked down and your suitcase is already out of the attic loud n'proud so what 's left to take your SS18 holiday style to the next level? Pile on the colour, texture, print and shapes with the perfect summer colour-popping jewellery! Life becomes a whole lot more fabulously fun with a taste of the exotic so dive into the tropical world of summer with palm leaf prints, juicy fruit motifs, multi-coloured parrot pendants and brighten your life with statement style. Transform your life in rich ornamental synergy

Colour in Jewellery Summer Workshop - Italy

Colour in Jewellery Summer Workshop - Italy Colour has got me. I no longer need to chase after it. It has got me forever. I know it. That is the meaning of this happy hour. Colour and I are one. I am a painter.  -  Paul Klee What does it mean for us ? We will work with coloured pencils to express our personal idea of color. We can use pencils in different ways. The idea is to transform them into something else.  The workshop is aimed at students, artisans, artists, designers, teachers and anyone intends to get involved with

London Fashion Week September 2017

LONDON FASHION WEEK 15th - 19th September 2017 Located at The Store Studios, 180 Strand, the Designer Showrooms is home to over 150 British and international designers. Presented within is a rich and diverse selection of products in a highly curated showroom. Showcasing at London Fashion Week raises the profile of brands as part of London Fashion Week’s edit of what to see.  The international element of the showrooms illustrates that the doors to London are truly open, with designers showcasing from Dubai, Finland and South Korea. The pull of London on a global scale is undeniable. The UK continues

Modern Life, Gill Wing

Modern Life… Gill Wing Gallery 13 – 28 February 2018 Modern life is Gill Wing’s ‘New Year’s Revolution’, it's not about dramatic changes, vowing to be better, cleaner, healthier or trying to live up to an impossible ideal. Modern Life for 2018 is about appreciating what already exists; the imperfect, the mundane. Being thankful for your home, wherever it may be, because you have one. Being thankful rather than guilty for your bad habits because you have the freedom to indulge them. Finding beauty and humour in everyday situations. The gallery has selected 6 jewellers for their unique work investigating

Step into super natural delights

When you think of fall and the beginnings of autumn delights, what immediately springs to mind? Leaves! As the world continues to turn, marking the arrival of a fresh new beginning and season, jewellery designers have taken inspiration from the earthy wonders of our world. Ethereal leaves, natural structures, organic shapes and deep, fiery gold figured heavily in the arrival of fall/winter 2018-2019 jewellery trends. The arrival of super natural pieces swathed in deep tones and swirls of gold, crystal and pearl radiate a whimsical, delicate, elusive and enigmatic look just in time for September. The fall fashion runways showcased

'Digital Meets Handmade' New York Symposium Review

PhD researcher Karen-Ann Dicken writes a review for Benchpeg of the recent symposium held at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York - Digital meets Handmade. In May this year I was fortunate enough to attend the ‘Digital meets Handmade’ - Jewellery of the 21 st  Century symposium at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. Professor Wendy Yothers of FIT organised the event in conjunction with Alba Cappellieri from Politecnico di Milano. This three day symposium was a brilliant collection of researches, speakers and industry specialists. All with the linked theme of what the world of jewellery looks like now we

Made London The Design and Craft Fair 2018

Call For Entries: Made London The Design and Craft Fair Applications are now open for MADE LONDON - The Design and Craft Fair to be held at beautiful One Marylebone from 18 - 21 October 2018. We welcome applications from across all applied arts: ceramics, jewellery, furniture, leather, glass, textiles, silverware, mixed media and anything else we don't know about from individuals, groups, galleries and shops. To Apply Full information - prices, stand sizes, how to apply and what we need from you - can be found here: madelondon-marylebone.co.uk/application Please read this in full, before applying here: madelondon-marylebone.co.uk Dates 18

Precious Pearl for Those Born in June

What better way is there to celebrate the fact that we're exactly half way through the year than with a little organic charm for all those June babies out there?! Those born in June are lucky enough to have not just one but three birthstones associated with their birthday; pearls, alexandrite's and moonstones. Unlike most other gemstones that are found within the Earth, Pearls are unique in that they have an organic origin. Pearls are often either created inside the shells of living creatures such as clams and oysters or occur naturally in the mollusks of freshwater species in rivers

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

Wild Things to be let loose on London

A new exhibition of luxury avant-garde fine jewellery, tantalisingly known as Wild Things, is coming to London later this month following a launch at the exclusive 2018 COUTURE Las Vegas in the first stop of what is expected to be a summer tour of Europe. Created by founder of the House of Luxury Elio D’Anna, in collaboration with COUTURE, Wild Things is a 'wild and beautiful' collection of six luxury but progressive jewellery brands, all resonating with cosmopolitan younger buyers keen to be associated with contemporary jet set labels conveying attitude and identity. They include the Indian Lebanese Mukhi Sisters,

Desire Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair 2017

Desire Fair @ Winchester 2017 Desire has become firmly established as the “must visit” event for its stunning collection and unrivalled choice of contemporary jewellery and stylish silverware.  The fairs present highly talented exhibitors who have been selected for their superb and innovative craftsmanship and have a genuine passion for the work they create.  See and purchase from an exciting range from both emerging British talent as well as more established designer makers.  Visitors to Desire have often commented on how they welcome the opportunity of discussing a purchase direct with the maker, and listening to what inspires them in

Jewellery Surgery at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery

Jewellery Surgery at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery Let us help you solve your technical and design problems 1 or 2 Day Course - Saturdays 10 and/or 17 Mar 2018 What will be taught? As a maker we all face challenges from time to time: We get stuck with our technical skills, progress or design development and wish we had someone to talk to and discuss it with! On this course you will have the possibility to get advise on the practical and design problems you come across when making jewellery. It will focus on your specific project, your work in

Traditional to Contemporary Wax Carving and Wax Modelling

Traditional to Contemporary Wax Carving and Wax Modelling 6 Week Course - Saturdays 20 Jan 2018 - 3 Mar 2018 (half-term 24 Feb) What will be taught? This course is designed to explore working with different waxes such as the traditional carving wax but also modelling waxes used in the jewellery and dental casting industries. You will learn traditional techniques with an experimental approach to working with waxes and we will encourage you to combine them with unusual materials and stones etc, to explore the boundaries of lost wax casting. You will learn how the lost wax casting process works

Everyday imperfections celebrated at new Modern Life exhibition

A new jewellery exhibition dedicated to 'everyday imperfections' opens at the Gill Wing Gallery in Islington, London this weekend featuring designers well known for their unique and thought-provoking perspectives. Modern Life, launching on Saturday 13th January and Sunday 14th January,  celebrates prosaic everyday objects and routines, such as walking to work in the sunshine, squashed coffee cups and even cigarettes, incorporating the designer's unique take on their subject. It is about appreciating what already exists, the imperfect, the ordinary, explained Jade Mellor, a member of the Gill Wing design team. "It's not about dramatic changes, vowing to be better, cleaner,

The Unspoken Beauty of Moissanite

Moissanite   (/ˈmɔɪsənaɪt/) So what exactly is moissanite; the ugly step-sister of the cinderella gem world? Think again! Incredibly rare and precious, moissanite is a beautifully natural gemstone born from a meteorite star that fell to Earth in 1893. Originally thought to be the discovery of Diamond by French scientist Henri Moissan, it was soon revealed to be a crystal gemstone with very similar properties to Diamond but that was composed of silicon carbide. Due to the natural composition of Moissanite, it has become a very scarce mineral worldwide making moissainte as we see it today almost entirely laboratory-grown. Through

“Exceptional” 3 Star Rating for leading Jewellery Trade Insurance Broker

Chartered Insurance Broker T H March will be able to celebrate its 130th anniversary with extra gusto later this year having been awarded an ‘Exceptional’ 3 star rating by independent customer service assessor; Investor in Customers (IIC). IIC conducts research and investigation into how well companies treat customers and staff. The highly detailed analysis carried out and the valuable insights gained by bravely allowing an independent third party to talk to customers and staff (at all levels) helps companies like T H March continue to improve on what they do. In order to achieve the ‘Exceptional’ 3 Star rating a

Auverture adds Gaelle Khouri to Luxury Offering

A carefully curated selection of Khouri's iconic pieces from her Soft Deconstruction and Garden of Earthly Delights collections is available at auverture.com  amongst the likes of Fernardo Jorge, Venyx, Lydia Courteille, Delfina Delettrez, Pamela Love, Noor Fares and Bibi van der Velden. Gaelle Khouri creates her beautifully elaborate jewellery to lend the women who wear it a feeling of strength, so they can “better express who they are, silently and effortlessly,” says the jeweller. This Lebanese designer’s creations stand out for their rare, unique beauty. Her first collection, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” is inspired by what Khouri calls “the

Goldsmiths’ Fair 2016 Closes to Huge Success

The 34th edition of Goldsmiths’ Fair, the UK’s premier destination to view and buy fine jewellery and contemporary silver, closed its doors on Sunday afternoon. In what proved to be another successful year for the Fair, over 9,000 people, including royalty, members of the House of Lords, ambassadors, artists, gallerists, international collectors, and jewellery enthusiasts of all stripes, visited the event and sales were strong. Held at the historic Goldsmiths’ Hall, the event unveiled the latest collections from 150 leading designer-makers and the next generation of precious metal stars. All UK-based, the 115 jewellers and 35 silversmiths presented their collections

Call for Applications: Spring Fling 2017

The 2017 Spring Fling Open Studios are open to applications. Building on the success of 2015, SF2016 welcomed over 40,500 studio visits and brought over £1.5 million to the regional economy.  Why not apply to take part in Scotland's premier art and craft open studios event? In 2017 we are celebrating our fifteenth year, so join us! What you need to know Spring Fling Open Studios will be held on the 27 – 29 May 2017. How to apply Applicants must apply via the  SF2017 Application form  – emails/postal applications will not be accepted. There is a £10 application fee (non-refundable)

Rings

Rings, Craft Centre and Design Gallery - Leeds  Every year we select jewellers to display with us whose rings offer a unique alternative to what you might find out on the high street.  Stunning engagement and wedding rings, rings to mark special occasions or just a ring to wear every day; there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  Exhibition Run 14th January – 24th June 2017 Venue The Craft Centre & Design Gallery City Art Gallery The Headrow, Leeds West Yorkshire LS1 3AB www.craftcentreleeds.co.uk

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

Hand Engraving Courses in London

Learn Hand Engraving in London This is a six week course taking place one Thursday per week from 6-9pm, starting 18 May 2017. Organised by the Hand Engravers Association, courses are held at Craft Central, London. Who is the course for? This course is aimed at all skill levels, from complete beginners, to improvers, to practiced metalsmiths wishing to build their engraving skill. What will I learn? During the hands-on, practical course students will learn from a highly skilled professional with many years of experience. The course has a maximum quota of just eight students allowing sessions to be tailored to suit

Shine On: Carolina Bucci & her Superstellar Collection

Carolina Bucci is a jewellery designer whose creations are synonymous with a modern and effortless sense of luxury. Her jewellery is a vibrant re-invention of her family’s rich heritage, and it has redefined what fine jewellery can be, and how it should be worn. Working with the same techniques and tools used by her great-grandfather, who founded the family business in Florence in 1885, the designer continues to explore new methods of her craft. She creates unique pieces that combine the tradition of Florentine artisanship with a distinctly hip and modern sensibility. How is a star born? In Carolina's own

Ring In The New Year With Smoulder, Style & Sass

With fine festivities, fabulous frolockings and filthy fun well under way and rocking round that glittering christmas tree it's time to turn our attention to one important date left in the diary; New Year's Eve darlings!  If there was ever a time to sparkle and shine it's would definately be the last night of 2016! What better way is there to ring in a brand new year of unknown memories then decking yourself out like a belated Christmas tree in your newly gifted boughs of crystals, silver, diamonds and all things glittery? With New Years tomfoolery comes celebratory crack, bang

Experimental Enamelling Techniques for Jewellery @ Flux Jewellery School

Experimental Enamelling Techniques for Jewellery @ Flux Jewellery School Explore a range of experimental enamelling techniques to give lasting colour and texture to your jewellery. What will I learn? On this dynamic 2 day course you will have lots of scope to experiment with enamelling techniques on a range of materials. You will learn to sift powdered enamels onto copper sheet. You can try blending colours, you can use stencils to give definition, and you can draw through it to produce unique patterns and textures. Using pre-enamelled steel sheet you will then have the opportunity to use liquid vitreous enamels

Studio Casting Techniques for Jewellery @ Flux Jewellery School

Studio Casting Techniques for Jewellery @ Flux Jewellery School This weekend course introduces numerous home- studio casting techniques for jewellery and other small accessories. What will I learn? With focus firmly on the experimental, this is an exciting opportunity to try out a variety of approaches to casting and mould making. The aim is to equip you with techniques you can carry on exploring in your in the home studio.. When casting your outcome is determined by the type of mould you made. We present you with a comprehensive overview of the various techniques used in casting, both for studio and commercial use. We

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

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

Contact us

Thanks for popping by, please read on for the contact details of the department you are looking to make contact with. To Say Hello To drop us a line to say hello or let us know what you think about the website, newsletter,  or provide some feedback on how we could improve our services please email info@benchpeg.com Editorial Team - Submissions If you have some news, a press release or an opportunity or call for applications you'd like to share please email the Editorial Team at info@benchpeg.com Recruitment Team - Jobs, Vacancies and Recruitment Advertising  If you would like to use the

Daiwa Foundation Small Grants 2017

Grants of £2,000-£7,000 are available to individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan to promote and support interaction between the two countries. In order to fund as many applications as we possibly can, given our limited budget, we typically award £3,000 to successful Small Grant applications. Our funding rarely covers an application’s budget in full, but is meant to be a “contribution” to the proposed project. What kind of project is eligible? Daiwa Foundation Small Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and other projects and events

Winners Announced: Amberif Design Awards 2017

This year's winners of the Amberif Design Award have been announced. The competition's theme for the year was 'Periphery', a brief chosen to send entrants to take a closer look at the zone between set and free. An overwhelming number of 124 international artists from 25 countries travelled to this undefined area and explored its options and limits. By sending in a design or photo, they presented to the competition's jury their inspiration, road map or point of view. To dig a little deeper into the thematic theemes of the brief questions arose from entrant's submissions: What can happen when

Nuala Jamison 1948-2016

Christina Jansen,  Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery kindly writes an obituary for Benchpeg on Nuala Jamison, one of the leading lights of the contemporary non precious jewellery movement in the 1970s who sadly left us in August 2016. In July 2016, Nuala Jamison held what would be her last solo exhibition at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh called  Faceted Light .  The Scottish Gallery was one of many galleries to have represented her wonderful work, in our case over three decades.  Jamison was determined to make a new body of work for her exhibition and also include highlights from her

Nuala Jamison 1948-2016

Christina Jansen,  Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery kindly writes an obituary for Benchpeg on Nuala Jamison, one of the leading lights of the contemporary non precious jewellery movement in the 1970s who sadly left us in August 2016. In July 2016, Nuala Jamison held what would be her last solo exhibition at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh called  Faceted Light .  The Scottish Gallery was one of many galleries to have represented her wonderful work, in our case over three decades.  Jamison was determined to make a new body of work for her exhibition and also include highlights from her

Counting Down To Baselworld 2017

At the end of this month new creations and innovations of the global watch and jewellery industry will be presented to the world at Baselworld 2017. Renowned as the unmissable annual show, Baselworld is gearing-up to welcome an array of international visitors. The show is the only one that unites the entire industry under one roof, including world-class players. Baselworld goes live on 23 March and will run until 30 March.  What exemplifies Baselworld is its unique ability to regroup the biggest and most prestigious watch and jewellery brands in the world, emerging design talent, the finest retailers and the

Harriet Kelsall Awarded HSBC 'Retail Businesswoman of the Year'

This week jewellery designer Harriet Kelsall was awarded HSBC 'Retail Businesswoman of the Year' at the Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards 2016. Trailblazing and pioneering women from enterprise and business gathered at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds for the grand final to celebrate each other’s achievements in what is one of the country’s biggest ever searches for successful women in business. Harriet founded her business – Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery - in 1998 and it is now recognised in the UK and across the world as a market leader in bespoke jewellery design, with over 20 national and

Call for Applications, FREE Jewellery Production Workshop

Jewellery Production 1 (Jewellery P1) Jewellery Production : A 2 day fully subsidised workshop designed to help small jewellery designer-maker businesses ready themselves to work with larger scale suppliers and respond to the changes in the jewellery market today.  What is It? Are you interested in moving your designer maker business to the next level, but unsure how to go about it? The Jewellery Production 1 workshop (Jewellery P1) has been created to help small jewellery designer-maker businesses ready themselves to work with larger scale suppliers and respond to the changes in the jewellery market today. Two Day Intensive Course

Domino’s Diamonds Scintillate at IJL

Domino’s recently refreshed ‘Scintillating Diamond’ collection was very well received at International Jewellery London earlier this month. The stunning earring and neckwear range features diamonds suspended on fine threads to create additional movement and sparkle. There are 46 individual designs, 37 of which are brand new for Autumn 2016. Pieces can be purchased as a suite, providing great add-on sales, or can be mixed and matched across the collection to suit individual style and taste. Available in 18ct white, yellow or rose gold, this striking range features HSi certificated diamonds. So what are the reasons for the pull that this collection

WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017

The apprenticeship programme in the UK is undergoing its most significant revival in recent years, with the Government announcing its commitment to work with employers to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020. For an industry that has been running apprenticeship programmes since 1334, when the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme launched, this announcement has been welcomed. But while many organisations offer highly respected apprenticeship programmes, what does it take to train a world class apprentice jeweller? Steven Jinks, the WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Jewellery, who is responsible for training three Goldsmiths’ apprentices in Squad UK for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, explains

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

Jewellery Ethics for the 21st Century - A Practical Workshop

Jewellery Ethics for the 21st Century - A Practical Workshop by The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust and DJCAD at the University of Dundee This course is designed and run by two leading proponents of ethical jewellery, Greg Valerio MBE & Ute Decker, and is about sustainability and ethical awareness. It is aimed at those involved in designing, making selling, learning or teaching jewellery and follows on from the Symposium the previous day. 1. What topics will we cover? The course will explain the ethical issues in jewellery making and the significance of Fairtrade and Fairmined gold. You will learn about different approaches to ethical

Contemporary Jewellery Classes with Jessica Turrell

This course will allow you to explore a contemporary approach to jewellery making using both traditional and alternative materials and techniques This 25 week course will encourage a contemporary approach to jewellery making and using both traditional and alternative materials and techniques. Students can choose to work on a series of set briefs or on individually negotiated projects. What will I learn? The course covers techniques including: silver soldering, saw piercing, surface texturing, forming, annealing, wire and sheet metal techniques, and making fittings and findings. The course will also cover the use of alternative materials such as wood, paper and

Jeremy France rolls out the red carpet for Fei Liu

On Friday 21st October, Jeremy France Jewellers welcomed British Jewellery Designer of the Year, Fei Liu, to showcase his entire collection of award winning designs - officially launching his recent addition to the family jeweller’s exclusive brand list.  Guests were greeted with champagne and invited into the three-storey luxury showroom by a grand red carpet entrance; what else could one expect from a VIP ‘Meet the Designer’ soirée?! Situated at the very heart of Winchester High Street, there were whispers from passing shoppers that perhaps Royalty was inside! Fei was on hand all evening to introduce his collections, giving Jeremy’s

Drop 'em Like It's Hot: Earring Shoulder Smoulder

Whilst we hate to be the summer fun kill joys and dare to utter the words 'farewell sunshine you fare weather friend', the shiny new month of September is here loud n'proud and ready to strut into the season of fanciful fall with boldly ornate outlandish pieces your magpie eyes can't help but clock! There's nothing quite like hearing the crunch of fresh fall leaves crumbling under foot on that first break of chilly morning work runs so what better way to maximise the experience by maximising your lobe'drobe in synch! Catwalks have shown no mercy when it comes to

Jewellery & Watch Industry Trends: Enamel, Pink and Diamonds

The forthcoming INHORGENTA MUNICH will once again offer exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to find new inspiration for the business year. This is ensured, among other things, by the trends of the year in the jewelry and watch industry worth discovering at the trade show. INHORGENTA MUNICH describes what is fashionable in 2017. Diamonds The diamond jewelry market grew by three percent on a global scale last year already and this trend will continue. Why? Well, due to the engagement’s revival and its celebration by giving a solitaire as an engagement present, diamonds continue to gain in importance. However, consumers

Introduction To Micro-Setting

Micro-setting applied to bespoke handmade jewellery can lead to spectacular results. Ideal for beginners, this course with highly experienced tutor Harry Forster-Stringer will help jewellers and stone setters to explore the advantages of micro-setting. Start to understand how to set up a specialist workbench, efficiently use a microscope, install GRS Air Gravers as well as prepare tools for optimum use.  Introduction To Micro-Setting Date: Sat 10 September 2016 Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm, £199   What: Experimental Workshop Venue: The Goldsmiths’ Centre, 42 Britton Street, London. EC1M 5AD www.goldsmiths-centre.org

Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP)

The Department for International Trade's Tradeshow Access Programme provides funding in the form of grants for eligible businesses to attend overseas trade shows. The Funding Helps Your Business Gain Market knowledge Experience in attending and getting the most from overseas trade shows Advice and support from trade experts How The Service Works The grants are based around the Tradeshow Access Programme Calendar of Supported Events 2016 to 2017 with an appropriate accredited Trade Challenge Partner leading the UK’s involvement at each event. Businesses usually take part as a group, led by the trade challenge partner for that trade show. What

Watchfinder Clocks in with Brand New TV Advertising Campaign

Guerillascope is pleased to announce the launch of the new TV advertising campaign from Watchfinder, the UK’s leading online retailer of pre-owned luxury watches. The campaign, which aired live on August 8 , features on the likes of Sky News, Dave, the Sky Sports network, More 4, BT Sports, Discovery Channel and National Geographic, as part of a strategy targeting adults within the ABC1 demographic. Watchfinder specialises in the buying and selling of pre-owned luxury watches, with customers able to circumnavigate what can often be a stressful process by completing a simple online enquiry form. A preliminary quote is sent within one

Make Your Mark - Day 1

Make Your Mark is the leading event for students on a precious metal related course. It will be held on the 1st - 2nd November 2016 at Goldsmiths' Hall, London. Who should attend? Make Your Mark  is a completely free tutor–student event open to anyone studying on a UK-based precious-metal-related course (full- or part-time), whether at degree level or on a short adult education or private tutored course. What's it all about? Led by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, and supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company and the Goldsmiths’ Centre, the event provides a packed programme of fascinating talks from leading figures in

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

Make Your Mark - Day 2

Make Your Mark is the leading event for students on a precious metal related course. It will be held on the 1st - 2nd November 2016 at Goldsmiths' Hall, London. Who should attend? Make Your Mark  is a completely free tutor–student event open to anyone studying on a UK-based precious-metal-related course (full- or part-time), whether at degree level or on a short adult education or private tutored course. What's it all about? Led by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, and supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company and the Goldsmiths’ Centre, the event provides a packed programme of fascinating talks from leading figures in

News Edit: 24 March 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... Ropes, Brass, Salt, Stone: Reinventing Jewellery In Kenya Barrons: Sisal ropes, salt crystals, volcanic rocks and aged brass: award-winning Kenyan designer Ami Doshi Shah has always chosen unlikely materials to make sophisticated jewellery that redefines value in a carat-obsessed industry. www.barrons.com Divorce jewellery: What to do with your engagement ring after a split Harpers Bazaar: Take your cue from Emily Ratajkowski and turn your pain into something beautiful. www.harpersbazaar.com Swarovski heiress does not wear jewellery in London because of muggers Telegraph: Nadja Swarovski says she does not feel comfortable

TALK: In Conversation With Mary Ann Wingfeild And Rachael Taylor

TALK: In Conversation With Mary Ann Wingfeild And Rachael Taylor Date:  Tuesday 21 February, 2023 Start Time:  6.00 PM End Time:  8.00 PM Venue:  FORGE Mary Ann Wingfield is author of Modern British Jewellery Designers 1960-1980.  An introduction to the most influential British designers spanning two decades and reveals the inspirations behind the evolution of their identifiable designs and signature styles. Rachael Taylor author of two books about Tiffany & Cartier - The Story Behind the Style. A visual history of two of the world's most iconic brands and jewels of our times. Hear Mary Ann and Rachael discuss what inspired them to choose these

News Edit: 10 March 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... Most spectacular jewellery from the 2024 Oscars Harpers Bazaar: From Jennifer Lawrence debuting Swarovski diamonds, to Emma Stone's glittering custom Louis Vuitton necklace. www.harpersbazaar.com Gold statues and jewellery stolen in €1m heist at museum by Lake Garda The Guardian: Items by Italian sculptor Umberto Mastroianni taken from exhibition at Vittoriale degli Italiani estate. www.theguardian.com What Your Red Carpet Jewelry Says About You Hollywood Reporter: The best new baubles — perfect for Oscar night —show off your individual style, from romantic to regal. www.hollywoodreporter.com Cotswolds jewellery designer scoops gold at

News Edit: 11 June 2023

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news...   Anabela Chan on the New Frontiers of Jewellery Prestigue Online: Anabela Chan is challenging the world to accept more sustainable high jewellery. She dives into the details behind developing her signature aluminium-based pieces and sourcing lab-grown stones. www.prestigeonline.com Engelbert Joins Bergdorf Goodman Jewelry Assortment Yahoo: Swedish heritage jeweler Engelbert is joining the mix on Bergdorf Goodman’s jewelery floor. www.yahoo.com Jenna Coleman, Keira Knightley and Kylie Minogue: See what went down at Chanel's high-jewellery event Hello: The French luxury house hosted a gala at the British Museum to celebrate

Nude Jewellery Celebrates 20 Years of Successful Business

After 20 years of successful business Nikki Galloway, owner and award-winning designer, is celebrating Nude Jewellery's 20 th  anniversary.  Reflecting on the anniversary, Nikki said, ‘ Twenty years on and I’m still really enjoying myself, no two days are ever the same and we are constantly evolving as a business. I love creating bespoke designs for clients and also new designs for our website. ”  In the past few years Nude Jewellery has specialised in creating exclusive gemstone engagement rings offering unique and modern designs. “I’m busier than I have ever been during 2020/21, and look forward to what the future will bring,

News Edit: 8 June 2024

A round up of this week's national and international jewellery news... All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hit Wallpaper: What started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London. www.wallpaper.com The jewellery boss tasked with making Cartier-owner Richemont shine FT: New chief executive Nicolas Bos has enjoyed success at Van Cleef & Arpels but takes over as luxury industry slows. www.ft.com Cartier Presents Its New High Jewellery Collection: Nature Sauvage Luxferity: Nature sauvage, Cartier’s new high jewellery collection, presents a theatre of

News Edit: 29 October 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Northumberland woman discovers 'costume jewellery' is actually £2m diamond ITV: A woman from Northumberland has discovered that her collection of cheap "costume jewellery" included a diamond worth an estimated £2 million. www.itv.com Diamond worth £2m found during Northumberland home clearout BBC: A woman who bought what she thought was a costume jewellery stone is set for a £2m windfall after tests revealed it is a 34-carat diamond. www.bbc.co.uk The Best Tassel Jewellery For Party Season The Times: There’s nothing like a swishy tassel to get you in the

News Edit: 18 August 2024

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... Guzema Fine Jewelry: The Gold Standard In Timeless, Versatile Design Forbes reports: One of the luxury world’s great ironies is that many an international fine jewelry brand was created by an impassioned jewelry lover, rather than a trained jewelry designer. www.forbes.com Jewelry’s Shining Stars: The Next Generation The Jewellery Editor reports: Author Beth Bernstein shares intriguing extracts from her book Jewelry’s Shining Stars: The Next Generation. www.thejewelleryeditor.com The Unexpected Jewelry Trend Fashion People Are Loving RN Who What Where reports: Whenever I travel abroad, I feel like my fashion-editor

News Edit: 14 March 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   The Designer Behind Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Necklace Feels Like "A Part of History" Town and Country: Here, jeweler Pippa Small opens up about what Meghan's endorsement means for her brand. www.townandcountrymag.com 18 Brands Supporting Good Causes This International Women's Day Bustle: International Women's Day is an important date in the calendar every year. It's a day to celebrate the achievements of women everywhere, and to empower and inspire all of us even further. www.bustle.com AMY MELLOR: International Women’s Day Love Andover: As part of International Women’s Day,

News Edit: 12 July 2020

As we find our 'new normal' here is a round up of last week's international jewellery news...   Chopard brings a playful edge to its red carpet-worthy high jewellery The Telegraph: A necklace featuring 90 carats of heart-shaped diamonds and gemstone-studded animals are among the highlights of Chopard's 2020 collection. telegraph.co.uk Sustainability Tips from Jewellery Designer, Pippa Small Vanity Fair: Inspiration from the acclaimed designer. vanityfair.com July 2020: What's New In Jewellery Tatler: This month, expect summery, everyday, and nature-inspired jewellery pieces—as well as some truly stunning engagement rings. asiatatler.com Your Guide To Wearing Men's Jewellery Right Tatler: With more

News Edit: 14 April 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Tributes paid to talented Newton Mearns jeweller who had proud royal connection Barrhead News: An East Renfrewshire jeweller who designed pieces for the Queen has died at the age of 69. barrheadnews.com Jeweller unveils world´s largest square emerald cut diamond Daily Mail: A London-based luxury jeweller has unveiled what is said to be the world’s largest square emerald cut diamond. dailymail.co.uk Jeweller unveils world’s largest square emerald cut diamond BT: The Graff Lesedi La Rona was cut and polished from the second-largest rough diamond ever found. home.bt.com De Grisogono Salutes

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

News Edit: 1 December 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   What acquiring Tiffany for $16.2 billion does for LVMH Vogue Business: The French conglomerate will instantly become a hard luxury giant on the same scale as Richemont. voguebusiness.com Louis Vuitton buys jeweller Tiffany for $16bn BBC: The world's biggest luxury goods company is buying US-based jeweller Tiffany & Co for more than $16bn (£12.5bn). bbc.co.uk France's LVMH close to buying Tiffany after sweetening offer: sources Reuters: LVMH (LVMH.PA) is close to buying U.S. jewelry chain Tiffany & Co (TIF.N) for about $16.3 billion after sweetening its offer, sources said on

News Edit: 29th November 2020

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Career Q&A: Sustainable British-Lebanese jewellery designer, Alexandra Hakim Fashion United: Known for her innovative craftsmanship and dedication to sustainability, British-Lebanese jewellery designer Alexandra Hakim's creations have been featured in Vogue Italia and worn by Rihanna. Recently, FashionUnited interviewed Hakim via email on what inspired her to work with metal and her label’s zero-waste approach. https://fashionunited.uk Jewellery brands urged to do more to fight gold, diamond mining abuses Reuters: As jewellery sales get a pre-Christmas boost, consumers were warned on Tuesday that major brands are still not doing enough

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

News Edit: 26 April 2020

As we find our 'new normal' here is a round up of the last four week's international jewellery news...   Jewellery’s New Surreal Appeal Echoes The Strangeness Of Our Times Vogue: Fashion houses and independent designers alike are taking inspiration from Surrealism and recasting iconic motifs from the 1930s art movement in arresting jewellery designs that echo the strangeness of our times. vogue.co.uk April 2020: What's New In Jewellery Tatler: The world’s second-largest rough diamond is unveiled, Cindy Chao reaches yet another milestone, and Dior Joaillerie puts pen to paper. asiatatler.com The treasure hunters: how Chaumet's archivists track down long-lost

News Edit: 15 September 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   The man who gambled his firm on a £50,000 sword BBC The BBC's weekly The Boss series profiles different business leaders from around the world. This week we speak to London-based silversmith Grant Macdonald. bbc.co.uk   London fashion designer turns abandoned festival tents into couture collection Evening Standard: ‘In Tents: The After Party’ shows what happens once the fun is over. standard.co.uk How artisan skills can empower Syrian refugee women FT: An agency is training aspiring jewellers in Jordan to start their own businesses. ft.com The New high jewellery collections

V&A Museum Acquires Rare Jewelled Medieval Brooch

Found on former Royal hunting grounds, this unique Medieval Brooch was a rare find for metal detectorist Justin Owens. After being mistaken for a dirty bottle cap, it's now proudly on display within the V&A's incredible jewellery collections. If jewellery could talk, we wonder what stories it could tell... The V&A Museum has acquired a rare jewelled late Medieval cluster brooch after it was uncovered in 2017 by a metal detectorist in the former Royal Hunting Ground known as 'Great Park' near Brigstock, Northamptonshire. Dating fromc. 1400-1450, the brooch hails from either France or Germany. It's one of only seven known

News Edit: 15 July 2018

A round up of this week's international jewellery news... “It’s very difficult deciding what to bring” – jewellery exhibitor at Masterpiece Antiques Trade Gazette: London jewellery dealership Hancocks has exhibited at Masterpiece since the fair’s inception nine years ago.  www.antiquestradegazette.com Cartier’s Coloratura high jewellery is a celebration of diversity and colour The Telegraph: Oh, to spend a day in Cartier’s stone archive. In my head it’s a gemmology geek’s version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory... www.telegraph.co.uk 10 affordable jewellery brands that fashion editors are obsessed with Accessorising well does not have to cost the earth. www.harpersbazaar.com   Paris' high jewellery

This Year's Jewellery & Watch 2018

Jewellery & Watch, the UK’s largest dedicated jewellery trade event, returns to NEC Birmingham from Sunday 4th until Thursday 8th February 2018. Taking place at a key buying point in the year, Jewellery & Watch will showcase a dazzling offering of new collections and inspiration from more than 300 new and returning exhibitors, as well unveiling the latest trends and offering essential advice from industry insiders. What to Expect at Jewellery & Watch 2018 The Atelier, an all-new immersive future trend showcase set to dominate for 2018 Edited sectors include loose gems, diamonds, watches, bespoke jewellery, silver, semi-precious and wholesale fashion jewellery

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

News Edit: 17 June 2018

A round up of this week's international jewellery news... Incredible photos reveal spooky hidden shipwrecks as divers find lost treasure ship Devon Live: Cannons and an anchor are among the items found on what's believed to be one of the richest shipwrecks off the coast. www.devonlive.com A 'perfect' diamond and Peggy Rockefeller's beloved jewels The Telegraph: Last month’s three-day sale of Peggy and David Rockefeller’s art collection was, as expected, the most valuable estate auction in history, raising $832.6 million www.telegraph.co.uk From Australia with love: Calleija’s rare diamond delights The Telegraph: John Calleija, the Australian fine jeweller, came into the

Women's Jewellery Network - Birmingham Event

Women's Jewellery Network - Birmingham Event The  Women's Jewellery Network  is pleased to confirm a Birmingham sister event to the launch in London taking place at the same time on  International Women's Day , 8th March 2018. Attendees will hear from the following speakers, at this event, kindly hosted by the team at  AnchorCert Acdemy , part of the  AnchorCert Group : UK’s first female Assay Master and former Cookson Precious Metals CEO, Stella Layton Company of Master Jeweller’s Executive Director of Business Development & Marketing, Lucy Reece-Raybould A panel discussion will focus on the folllowing topic: What changes need to be

Suppliers

Knowing where to get what can be half the battle. Here we created a signpost list of trade suppliers offering a wide selection of tools, bullion, findings etc... Bullion Suppliers Baird & Co www.goldline.co.uk Bellore Rashbel www.rashbel.co.uk Betts Metal Sales www.bettsmetalsales.com Cooksongold www.cooksongold.com Palmer Metals www.palmermetals.co.uk Fairtrade Refiners, Casters, Manufacturers & Suppliers Cookson Precious Metals Contact person: Rob Taylor www.cooksongold.com CRED Contact person: Alan Frampton credjewellery.com Hockley Mint Contact person: Gary Wroe www.hockleymint.co.uk S&P Trading Contact person: Patrick Schein www.patrickschein.com Vipa Design Contact person: Peter Crump www.vipadesigns.co.uk Weston Beamor Contact person: Glen Day www.westonbeamor.co.uk Finding Suppliers Cooksongold www.cooksongold.com Bellore Rashbel

Publications

Trade publications are a great way of knowing what's going on and who's who in industry. Here we have compiled a list of national and international trade publications and periodicals, many have their own daily, weekly or monthly e-newsletters. The UK titles are listed first... UK Attire Accessories www.attireaccessories.com Benchpeg www.benchpeg.com Gold Inspirations www.lovegold.com Harper's Bazaar www.harpersbazaar.co.uk Jewellery Focus www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk Jewellery Monthly www.jewellerymonthly.com Jewellery Outlook www.jewelleryoutlook.com Jewellery Outlook www.jewelleryoutlook.com JFW - Jewels Fashion Watches Magazine www.jfwmagazine.com JQ Magazine jewelleryquarter.net LUXWorldwide www.luxworldwide.com Making Jewellery Magazines - The GMC Group www.thegmcgroup.com Professional Jeweller www.professionaljeweller.com Retail Jeweller www.retail-jeweller.com Silver Magazine www.silvermag.com Silver Society