Edinburgh jeweller

Black Friday has arrived and along with it an astounding amount of offers in my inbox and on facebook. For an American tradition it really has found some traction here in the UK! Don't get me wrong, I will be looking at whether I can get some christmas present shopping done but I noticed that there are some great offers out there for metal clay artists to invest in their own training or to stock up on supplies. So, with that in mind, here are the deals I've seen that are worth a second look 1. 20% off day and evening classes at the London Jewellery School As you probably know, I work for the London Jewellery School. If you'd like to take a class with me there you can see my teaching calendar for 2018 here (it is possible that there will be some changes but right now I am the one due to teach the classes listed above). For me, learning face to face with an expert tutor is the quickest way to develop your skills. It allows you to ask questions and practice with feedb...

I've decided to blog periodically about my creative week as I know I find an insight into creative people's processes and activities really interesting! Monday 13th November 2017 (I travelled down to London on 8th November. As part of my work for the London Jewellery School I need to spend two days a month in the office there and when I go I usually do some teaching too.) Stone setting in metal clay samples from class at the London Jewellery School Today I taught Stone setting in metal clay to one of the Diploma in Creative Jewellery groups at the London Jewellery School. It was good fun, we set glass, bezel set a stone and dry set a fireable stone. Then I was off on the train back home! The train from London to Edinburgh takes around 4 hours 20 minutes and when there's an offer on I travel first class! I went first class today and had a lovely veggie risotto on board! Tuesday 14th November 2017 I needed a bit of a rest day but in the evening I was working ...

October is a very busy month for me! After teaching my first residential course last week I was teaching at The Big Bead Show in Sandown Park, Esher this week for the London Jewellery School ! For some reason I've never been before. It is a bit of a walk from the station with all my kit but soon I was there and jumping the queue that had already formed outside, waiting to get in! My workshop space was at the other end of the large exhibition area so I was able to see everyone setting up their stalls with all their sparkly wares! I went up to the workshop space to set up. It had a very expansive view of the racecourse. I was able to set up quickly, chat with Alison Tarry, the tutor teaching the workshop next door to me and even managed to get a cup of tea before we got started! These were Alison's gorgeous class samples and I was jealous not to get a chance to pop in and see her teaching! The super talented Alison Tarry's work (not mine!) I had 12 students in th...

I’m excited to be involved in Jewellery Business Bootcamp from Jewellery School Online . I’ve been part of the teaching team for the London Jewellery School 6 day taught Jewellery Business bootcamp since it’s inception and have really enjoyed seeing the students on that course grow their businesses. This new 8 week intensive online course starts on Friday 27th January 2017 and is designed and masterminded by the founder and director of the London Jewellery School Jessica Rose . Jessica has won six business awards and has run her own jewellery business, fingerprint jewellery business and tool supply as well as LJS which is one of the largest jewellery training centres in the world. The bootcamp is designed to help you build and grow a successful jewellery business. You don’t have to visit London to do the course, you can be anywhere in the world! The course includes Professional training online through videos, podcasts, notes and webinars 8 Weeks of intensive s...

Silver handprint pendant, London Jewellery School It's been a fun week teaching some more advanced silver clay classes. First up was Prints and Drawings in Metal Clay at the London Jewellery School . This one day class is about making photopolymer plates featuring your own designs, drawings, child's drawings, hand prints, paw prints etc. The photopolymer plate can then be used as a mould to make silver clay jewellery. We had a lot of fun trying out our own drawings, printed images and taking our handprints! Unfortunately this class won't be running anymore at the London Jewellery School but I am happy to do it as a private tuition . Fingerprint jewellery, London Jewellery School I then also taught a fingerprint jewellery class at the London Jewellery School. This also uses silver clay. We looked at a couple of ways to take fingerprints, how to use letter stamps and carve letters into the clay to make some lovely finished pieces.  I also advised about setti...

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I had a screen test for Create and Craft TV. I was passed and did my first two shows on 7th October 2016 demonstrating stone setting in  silver metal clay. I've written a behind the scenes look for the London Jewellery School blog so do check it out!

I mentioned on the blog that I was having a screen test for Create and Craft TV . Well, I'm pleased to say I was passed to go on the live shows! My first shows will be on Friday 7th October 4pm and 7pm I will be demonstrating stone setting in silver clay and will be doing different demonstrations on each show Create and Craft TV is on Sky 674, Freeview 23, Virgin 748 and Freesat 811 I hope you can tune in!

I have an exciting day ahead today as I am travelling up to the Create and Craft TV studios for a screen test!  I have been asked to do some live TV demonstrations of stone setting with metal clay on behalf of Jewellery School Online , who have sold kits and video how to guides on Create and Craft before. The screen test is to make sure I can speak on camera and do clear demos I think. If I pass I will share the date of my live TV debut on the blog!

A few months ago I applied to be a Metal Clay Maker and am excited to announce that I was one of six people chosen! Who are the Metal Clay Makers? The Metal Clay Makers are a small group of designers who choose to use Metal Clay Ltd products in their work because they believe in their quality and reliability. Metal Clay Ltd support the MC Makers with materials and tools, provide lots of inspiration and advice, send them new products to test and critique, and enjoy regular chat sessions. What does the programme entail? It is a sixth month programme, beginning in July, to try, test and review products from Metal Clay Ltd. Why did I apply? I decided to apply because I use and recommend Metal Clay Ltd products all the time, they are one of the main suppliers for the London Jewellery School pop up shop (where I work). Additionally, I loved the idea of the challenge element of it, to use materials and tools I might not otherwise try and see what comes out of that ...

My colleague at the London Jewellery School Hayley Kruger has been busy of late! She can be seen as a guest designer on Jewellery Maker as well as a tutor at the London Jewellery School and for Jewellery School Online . Her most recent course for Jewellery School Online is a soldering masterclass and it is currently available for pre-order at an early bird price of £49 instead of £79 (price will increase from Sunday 19th June 2016). The course is designed for beginner and more experienced silversmiths who want to master soldering and struggle particularly with more advanced and complex pieces. What you get included with this course Lifetime access to 6 comprehensive video lessons, guiding you through all the techniques, tips and tricks to perfecting your soldering Downloadable course notes to work alongside the videos Access to our supportive community of jewellers and tutors to help you at every stage of the process Access to the videos 24/7 - you can stop, pause...

At the London Jewellery School I will be hosting the first ever Metal Clay Guided Workshop on Thursday 30th June, but what is it? Would you love to work on your own silver clay projects in our well equipped workshop with an expert tutor on hand? Do you find you achieve more during a class than you ever can at home? At LJS we are trialling the metal clay guided workshop , an opportunity for you to work on your own designs and project ideas and to have help and support from an expert tutor and your fellow students. The idea for this workshop has come from feedback from our more experienced students who wanted a way to develop their skills and work alongside other metal clayers in a supportive and inspiring environment. Who is the guided workshop for? The metal clay guided workshops are designed for intermediate and advanced silver clay students. These sessions are different from our usual classes as there will be no organised tuition, you bring along your own designs and i...

I have a busy teaching month in April but the following classes still have places if you would like to join me! Button jewellery taster class Where? London Jewellery School When? Thursday 14th April 2016. 6.30-9.30pm Click here for more details Beautiful beading Where? Mary Ward Centre When? Monday 18th April - Monday 4th July 2016 3-5.30pm, 10 weeks Course code 1504 Suitable for beginners and improvers we will be working on a number of projects. Our theme this term is statement jewellery. We will be making necklaces, earrings, bracelets, hair combs and other items Click here for more details Silver clay and fused glass Where?  Mary Ward Centre When? Monday 18th April - Monday 4th July 2016 6-9pm, 10 weeks Course code 1508 Taught by Anna Campbell and glass artist Helen Maurer. Suitable for beginners and improvers we will be working on a number of projects, you will make glass pieces and finish them/set them with silver cl...