I’ve neglected the blog recently as I’ve been so busy working on a jewellery commissions including with some really exciting and unique engagement ring designs I hope ot share with you very soon. So I’ve missed out on covering lots of major events in the jewellers calendar here in Ireland and the UK.

One noteworthy event that’s always fascinating to follow is the Goldsmiths Fair which takes place in London each year. The show runs for two weeks with different goldsmith exhibiting new designs each week.

So I thought I’d share a few pictures from one of the prestigious award winners from the two week show this year.

The first week the “Best New Design Award” was awarded to Max Warren. Peter Ting presented the award. It was lovely to see his name involved with Goldsmiths Fair as Peter was a guest lecturer in the art college I attended. He was the person that introduced me to the work of many great makers that still influence my designs to this day.

I’ve tried to find images of Max’s work. Unfortunately, none of the photos I could find fully captured his breathtaking pieces. Which, I think you’ll agree is understandable given the nature of the approach to his designs. His pieces are created using traditional silversmithing techniques. He uses hand engraving to amazing effect creating an extraordinary play on light and shade. Using different cuts, he engraves an image into the silver which alters as the light catches it from different angles. Now you’ll see why it doesn’t lend itself to being photographed!

Jacqueline Gestetner judged the award for week two and presented the prize to Adi Toch. I discussed Adi work last year. She creates these amazing forms which work are not only beautiful but very functional.

The bulbous vessels are just calling to be picked up and used. I also love her salt pots because they are so brilliantly practical. If they are knocked over none of the salt will spill out!

 

About

Last month I attended a one day product photography workshop which was organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland. As a maker it’s extremely important to document your work, I am guilty of letting pieces leave the workshop without taking any photographs of the finished piece.

Working with metal which is highly reflective also has it’s disadvantages when it comes to photography. I have so many photographs of my jewellery which could be mistaken as self portraits as my face pops up in the reflection of the piece. I have tried everything from photoshopping to sneaking up on the piece with my camera hoping it won’t see me! I’ve found from plenty of attempts that I get my best results from a light tent I bought on Amazon last year. It’s the best €10 I’ve spent! I wrote a post about how I use it to reduces reflections photographing  jewellery. While I get good results from the light tent I wanted to explore other techniques of how best to avoid reflections.

I went along to the Vienna Woods hotel in Cork armed with my camera and a few of my silver hand raised bowls. The great thing about the day was how practical it was. We didn’t sit around all day talking about shutter speeds and apertures, we went through a few techniques and then got stuck into photographing our work.

It was great to be able to explore what we had learnt by taking photographs of our own work using our own equipment. Here are some of my photos from the day. You’ll be delighted to see I don’t feature in any of them! Maybe I’ve finally cracked the art of photographing reflective surfaces 🙂

 

 

 

After the success of the tv series last year, RTÉ have begun the search for the new Craft Master! The disciplines last year didn’t include jewellery or silversmithing but I’m delighted to announce that they have rectified this omission!

There are five categories under which you can apply:  Millinery, Knitting, Basketry, Furniture and Jewellery. The rules state that you must  be an amateur (not making a living from your craft) and must have foundation skills in one of the above crafts. If you are successful in your application you are awarded a week long residence with a master craftsperson to further develop and refine your skills. From what I remember of last year there were three people selected from each craft to attend the week long master class. Each week one of these is chosen to go on to the final and hopefully be crowned Craft Master. The winner is given an exhibition space at Showcase Ireland Creative Expo 2013. After exhibiting at Showcase last year I can highly recommend it as a great opportunity to further your business.

If you are involved in any of the above disciplines and want to bring your skill to the next level have a look at the Craft Master application but hurry the closing date is 6th June… Good luck!