Goldsmiths’ Getting Started Week

I have just had the privilege of being able to attend Goldsmith’s annual ‘Getting Started’ course, and I can honestly say that it has been the best thing I have ever done for my career – bar the three years I spent toiling away in university trying to hone my design process! However, there is something missing within the university curriculum and that is the vital awareness to the reality of business outside the comfort of those grand walls. This course fills that gap and more, it is a jam packed week, full of passionate speakers allowing you the insight of people who have ‘been there and done that’. The guest speakers were honest, open and didn’t hold back when it came to telling you the pitfalls as much as the benefits! On top of learning all the key skills that we will need for our future careers, we also had the opportunity to network within the lunch hours and reception evenings. This was invaluable, bringing together some of the biggest names in jewellery; Lesley Craze of Lesley Craze Gallery, Gordon Hamme of Goldsmiths Magazine and British Silver Week, Stephen Webster – need I say more?

It is rare to find a course so specifically orientated to helping our field, it seems as though no one really understands the world of designer/maker apart from the select few who are lucky enough to be part of it. And of those, many fail because they don’t have an understanding of business, branding, marketing, networking, and other career paths within design. I would highly recommend this brilliant week to anyone thinking of making a career from designing and/or making.

Designer Crafts at the Mall – Private View

On the illustrious Mall, straight through those grand, majestic and epic Admirality Arches sits the entrance to the prestigious Mall galleries… Through these doors lies a treasure trove of bespoke jewellery, silversmithing, hand-crafted sculptures, woven textiles and sweeping ceramics. And on January 9th 2009, through those arches and those doors you would’ve found a hive of busy people networking and bubbling about the beautiful finds inside. The work varies vastly from tiny trinkets and ladles to huge garden sculptures, yet they all have three things in common; beautiful, inspired and irresistable!

As you enter the gallery you are presented with the glittering section of jewellery and silversmithing, which on the night was so crowded that people had to come back and take another look later once it had cleared! Then further in you are drawn to the coloured textiles and textured ceramics, not to mention the huge contemporary furniture adorning areas. And further in still are stunning examples of contemporary mixed media. There were a number of awards given out, not to mention a large number of sales on the first night.

So, although there is only 2 days left I highly recommend you pop your head into the Mall Galleries yourself because its a beautiful sight to see. Don’t forget to look out for my work – first cabinet on the right!

Pregnant? Think you deserve a present? :) So do I!

Well, after the very happy realisation that my stats are starting to increase quite a bit and then seeing that this is because loads of ppl are researching pregnant ladies – I came to the conclusion that this must be a target audience! Either you are all as inspired by the pregnant form as I am, or some of you/your parteners are expecting... if so – congratulations are in order! And what better to celebrate a new baby on the way than a deserved present which is inspired by their form, beauty and sexiness.

beautiful pregnant woman

I am actually surrounded by pregnant women and new mothers in my life at the moment – my cousin is 4 weeks from her due date and I have several friends who have just had gorgeous new little ones come into this world – all of whom are first time mothers. Seeing the excitement and the build up around this beautiful beginning of a new era in their lives, I have realised how immeasurably precious it is. And how unbelievably appropriate my collection is to any expectant mother as a keepsake and memento of a first born, or even a second or third! After all they are all just as special, aren’t they!?

Pregnant-form inspired tableware

Currently the Sensual Silver collection holds a series of cups and a jug, along with 3 ladles. All inspired by the female, curved form. The jug and 2 cups are specifically inspired by the pregnant belly, with little belly buttons incorporated into the curved forms, and I have recently created a series of rings with belly button-like elements and pearls sat inside them. (The pearl represents the innocence and purity of the baby).

Baby-Button Ring

I am now working to expand on this with a series of more baby oriented objects – perhaps a rattle, or a money box.. If anyone has any suggestions of what they think they’d like from a congratulations present or a christening present please let me know, because I think the kind of objects that are available on the market at the moment are decidedly lacking in style and sensitivity. I plan to change this and create beautiful, subtle and sensitive pieces to celebrate your new baby’s arrival. I would also like to offer a commissions service where you can give me either a picture of your pregnant belly or your new born baby respectively to use as inspiration for a completely personal object to you and your family only. Please feel free to add comments and suggestions – I welcome your feedback 🙂

Designer Crafts at the Mall Galleries

Just a quick blog today to remind you that I will be exhibiting at Designer Crafts next week at the Mall Galleries, this is an inspiring event with work ranging from textiles, jewellery, silversmithing, ceramics, glass, furniture and wood. Everything you need to get your creative juices flowing and find something to take home with you for the new year. Both established designer-makers and the newest talent will be showcasing their work in the exhibition so don’t miss out! I will be showcasing my current work and some new pieces never seen before. Do pop down and take a peek.

Hope to see you there!

The Mall, London, SW1 (near Admirality Arch off Trafalgar Square)

New Year – New Plans – New Pieces!

I’ve now arrived in Dubai (my hometown) and have finally got some free time to review how I feel Frost went and plan my next steps for the New Year.

Frost: All in all I feel the exhibition was a great success, we had a good number of visitors and buying customers. There were many sales over the 3 week period with almost everyone in the group selling work. Which is a great encouragement and considering it was our first year organising this exhibition and the first time I have organised anything like it on such a large scale I think it was a great achievement. There were also a few sales made during the Open Studios event on Saturday which was an added bonus because the Jewellery Quarter and The David Louis Project were buzzing that day! So after all the blood, sweat and tears, I do feel that the work put into Frost paid off and also that I have learnt a huge amount that will put me in good stead for future undertakings and in general with my business.

New Year Plans: Since designing and manufacturing my collection and exhibiting inside Birmingham before the New Year, I now plan to market it outside of Birmingham to get as much exposure as possible nationally. London is my first port of call – from 10th – 18th January I will be exhibiting at Designer Crafts at The Mall. This is an exhibition presented by the Society of Designer Craftsmen at where I believe Chelsea Craft Fair used to be held – but don’t quote me on that! I was very lucky to be selected from New Designers as one of their new merit licentiates and invited to exhibit at ‘The Mall Galleries’ in January. I will be taking along a selection of my silverware and my new jewellery collection.

I will also be attending The Worshipful Company of Goldsmith’s ‘Getting Started’ Course the week following that so I really hope to gain some valuable contacts, exposure and knowledge from that – can’t wait! It is a week long programme of masterclasses, seminars and other professional development activities which are content specific to jewellery and silversmithing.

And on top of those, I will be busy in March and April attending Talente in Munich and then Harrogate Trade Fair with the Design Space group. So watch this space because you might just find my name and work popping up all over the place before you know it! Atleast thats what I’m aiming for 🙂

Becoming visible on the world wide web!

I’ve just been doing some research to see if anyone out there is actually paying attention to this blog! My stats have been steadily growing since I started it but they are still in the double figures rather than triple or more.. early days yet though. I stumbled across a link to here for ‘Frost’ through ‘Created in Birmingham‘ which was a nice surprise but then I thought I’d research how well ‘Frost’ was doing on the internet too.. And I’m really happy to report that Frost is mentioned on atleast 6 other web pages only two of whom I know personally! (David Louis Hendley and Howard of Benchpeg.com)

So people, if you are out there and reading this, I think you should realise by now that ‘Frost’ is definitely worth a peek! Since everyone’s talking about it, you don’t want to miss out now do you?!

‘The David louis Project’ at Artfull Expression

Ok, so this is a lot late! Its just that every time I think the pressure is going to let up, it doesn’t! And finding time for anything right now is a struggle… Anyway, ‘Frost’ has now moved to the new location ‘The David Louis Project’ at Artfull Expression, this quaint little gallery/shop is located right on Warstone Lane in the centre of the Jewellery Quarter. Not only will you have the pleasure of choosing from our collections, the shop is filled to the brim with beautiful, bespoke and contemporary jewellery spread out over 3 rooms. You are sure to find something you like amongst all that choice, designers include Jane Moore, James Newman, Glenn Campbell, Jo Pond and some newer ones such as students from the Jewellery School and of course us; Design Space!

‘The David Louis Project’ is an extension of the original shop ‘Artfull Expression’ and aims to bring contemporary jewellery designed and made in the Jewellery Quarter into the spotlight. We have a selection of jewellers who are so often missed because their workshops are hidden away in the many nooks and crannies that the JQ consists of! Along the main street you can see commercial jewellery glinting in every window, barely differing from one shop to another, but ‘The David Louis Project’ brings you new and exciting designs, things you won’t find anywhere else.

David Louis‘ Contemporary Tableware is also exhibited here and are hugely popular buys for men’s Christmas presents, featuring magnetic bottle openers that stick to your fridge, spinning salt and pepper shakers and chic table top coasters and trivets – not to mention the wide selection of hip flasks and cufflinks.

We have been working steadily to renovate the back room and it is now a great new gallery space that holds the work of 18 new designers in the Jewellery Quarter. Design Space is exhibiting their very first collections and if you buy from here you will be buying an original. Not to mention each of the collections have their own concepts and meanings which gives the work depth as well as beauty.

So come on down to view the work and you may just find something that you can’t bear to leave behind!

Opening Night of Frost

Frost’s Opening Night Review!

As the depths of winter set in, the opening of ‘Frost’ was brilliantly relevant and certainly didn’t disappoint. The bitterly cold evening was firmly forgotten inside St Paul’s gallery where it was warmly lit up with conversation, smiles and inspiration – not surprising with seasonal nibbles and complimentary wine flowing steadily!

The works are set out beautifully in crystal clear cabinets, lit-up at St Pauls Gallery, an inspiring space, filled with creativity.

I’m so proud of every individual’s work, they’re all uniquely different, yet perfectly compliment one another. I have been working on my own jewellery collection specifically for this event and the launch of it was incredibly successful. It received lots of positive interest and enthusiasm from the viewers and I made two sales during the first night.

Visitors braving the winter’s chill included Bob Crutchley from Precision Micro (etching company) who purchased one of my rings for his wife’s birthday present! He has also asked to be kept informed of my future movements so I’ll certainly be doing that.

There was also a lot of interest in Sarah Kelly‘s work, her intricate bracelets with their undulating movement and beautiful appearance certainly turned heads. Paper jewellery is certainly unusual but also incredibly accessible with the right attitude towards its viability. When you’re up close to the product you wouldn’t want it made in any other material because the delicateness of it’s design and texture is all part of the appeal.

’Frost’ is definitely an opportunity not to be missed, this stunning collection will be set in St Paul’s Gallery until Saturday evening (6^th December). The exhibition then tours to ‘The David Louis Project’ at Artfull Expression, Warstone Lane – a new gallery that has been renovated specially for this event.

St Pauls Gallery – 94-108 Northwood Street, Birmingham, B3 1TH

Tel No: 0121 236 5800

2^nd December –  6^th December

Gallery opening times: 10am – 6pm

‘David Louis Project’ at Artfull Expression – 23-24 Warstone Lane, Birmingham, B18 6JQ

Tel No: 0121 212 0430

8^th December – 14^th December

Gallery opening times: 10am – 4.30pm (Sunday 11am – 3pm)

Open Studios at Design Space – Unit 2, 25-33 Hylton Street, Birmingham, B18 6HJ

Tel No: 0121 523 6294

13th December – 20th December

Opening times: 10am – 4pm

Contact Details:

Clare Pardoe
0752 611 6233

Email: clare.pardoe@gmail.com

Admission: Free

London At the Weekend

Yesterday I visited London to get some fresh inspiration   and to deliver my work to the Structure and Function Gallery for the ‘Heavenly Eye’ Exhibition. Delva Simunovic is hosting this fantastic exhibition of new artists that rotate weekly so make sure you pop in this week to see my work! Its a small gallery very close to Carnaby Street, you can  reach it from Picadilly Circus, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road Tube stations. The gallery is on Ingestre Street (its marked on the maps you can get of the area inside the tube stations). The work this week features graduates of Birmingham City University, Central St Martins and London Metropolitan to name but a few. A fellow Design Space incubate, Tusheeta David was exhibiting her beautiful acrylic jewellery there last week. Do take a look because the work Delva has selected is both beautiful and interesting, and very unique. The layout of the gallery itself is also something out of the ordinary, with huge blown-glass bell jars encasing each designer’s work as if they were an exquisite collection of creatures rather than simply artwork.

Structure and Function Ltd.
14 Ingestre Place
Soho
London W1F 0JQ

Open seven days a week
Monday to Friday 12 noon – 7pm
Saturday and Sunday 12 noon – 5pm

I also went to visit the Clerkenwell Open Studios where I was completely taken with Rebecca Steiner‘s work. I highly recommend clicking on this link because her work is simply stunning, so delicate and feminine. I have earmarked a piece for my Christmas present – now the question is who will I ask to get it for me! Unless I decide to spoil myself of course, but i’ll have to sell a few more of my own pieces first if thats the case!

And just as a final reminder, our own exhibition ‘FROST‘ launches tomorrow at 6pm. It features the work of 18 new totally unique designers and will be running for the next 3 weeks – check the blog below for more details. Do come have a look because you are sure to find something you love.

St Paul’s Gallery

St Paul’s Gallery

As you can see in the Frost exhibition blog, we will be exhibiting in this fantastic space for the first third of our touring exhibition. St Paul’s Gallery is a huge art gallery that exibits for sale, hundreds of famous LP covers, massive paintings of rock stars – some even signed personally. It is a capsule of musical fantasy and something you should all experience. It seems as if the building is a converted warehouse as the ceilings are so high and the rooms so big, it has an overwhelming atmosphere of the rockers of the past. Yet these artworks are far from dated, any piece could hang in a stylish home and add a new edge to your living room.

I can say without a doubt these are the most impressive and inspiring paintings I’ve ever seen. There’s something about the music that has allowed these artists to take their thinking outside the box to another level! They are random, thought-provoking and beautiful all at once. One look is not enough, you find yourself doing a double-take and then sometimes even a triple-take to work out what you missed the first and second times!

Gallery One, where we’ll be exhibiting from the 2nd December, is going to be full of all the paintings from the ‘Northern Soul Exhibition,’ the World’s biggest exhibition of David Barrow‘s work throughout the years. In case you don’t know who that is, he is one of the most famous album cover artist’s of his era, you will recognise his work as soon as you see it, and he counts Paul Weller amongst his fans. This exhibition will be running alongside our jewellery exhibition and all the paintings and artworks will be available for sale.

So, if you fancy yourself a bit of an art guru, or a music obsessive or even a jewellery and metalwork coinnoisseur, come down and visit us there is plenty of choice for every one.