Tag: jewellery

Crafted Selves: Curator Tours

Curator Cat Dunn speaks with artists from Crafted Selves: The Unfinished Conversation on the day of its opening at St Andrews Museum, Saturday 14 October 2024.

Join one of two tours through the exhibition on the day, with Curator Cat Dunn speaking with artists Ashanti Harris at 2pm, and Joy Baek at 3pm. Hear the artists discuss their work in-person; what drives their craft, and how does it reflect their dual-identity as artists working in Scotland today?

Ashanti Harris is a visual artist, teacher and researcher. Her work includes dance, performance and installation and focuses on the social implications of the movements of people across cultural and historical borders. 

Joy Baek is a Korean artist based in Glasgow. She uses her ceramic and metal-work installations to elevate the voices of marginalised women in Scottish and Korean society.

The exhibition Crafted Selves: The Unfinished Conversation takes its title from a continuing discourse between curator Cat Dunn and the 13 Scotland based artists featured. Working in sculpture, painting, ceramics, textiles, installation, moving image films and creative writing responses, the artists all in some way carry a dual identity. Many have a sense of their own self born from having a cultural heritage which is both Scottish and one which is rooted in another cultural home. The exhibition also explores other dualisms and expressions of identity, including artists who express their sexuality, disability, or trans and non-binary selves through their work.

Saturday 14th October 2024, 2pm or 3pm
Free | Suitable for ages

St Andrews Museum
KY16 9DP

Header image: Ashanti Harris, Emi Ori Cse in Copper. Photo by Matthew Arthur Williams

Associated Events

Crafted Selves: The Unfinished Conversation

Curated by Cat Dunn and programmed by Fife Contemporary, the exhibition Crafted Selves: The Unfinished Conversation …

Crafting Identities – Fife Contemporary in Conversation with Cat Dunn

To celebrate Black History Month 2022, Fife Contemporary hosted a free online talk and conversation with curator …

Continuing the Unfinished Conversation

After the success and conclusion of our exhibition Crafted Selves: the Unfinished Conversation, Fife …

An Interview with Cerys Williams – Youth Arts Bursary

Awarded in 2022, the Creative Scotland Youth Arts Fund Bursary has helped Fife Contemporary to support Cerys Williams, a young, Fife-based jeweller. We caught up with her recently to find out what skills she has gained during the programme, who has inspired her and what she’s planning for the future…

How has your jewellery developed in the last 6 months?

When I started making jewellery, I could only really make chunky pieces but with more practice I’ve been able to refine my style and my pieces have become smaller and better for everyday wear while still having unique designs. Learning to solder has also developed my jewellery a lot. Before, all of the joins were wrapped together but now I can create smoother and more professional looking joins and edges. The bursary has also allowed me to use better quality materials, so I now make pieces in real silver.

What were the main memories of the ‘look and see’ visits? What is the favourite thing you saw and why?

My first visit was Dazzle at Dovecot Studios: it was the first time I had seen how designers could showcase and sell their work through an exhibition. On the same day we also visited the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and one of the markets at the Fringe.

In the museum we looked at different pieces of jewellery and tools that have been found which helped me think about how jewellery was made before we had modern machinery. I tried to imagine how the jewellery would have looked when it was new.

I really enjoyed going to the market as it had a comfortable and informal atmosphere. All of the jewellers were really friendly and we spoke to them about how they run their stalls and the price of renting a stall. This encouraged me to think about selling at a market in the future.

I also went to the Elements Festival in Edinburgh. It was really nice to see all of the jewellers showcasing their designs and they were so engaging! I liked seeing jewellers wearing their own designs because you could see how good it looked on them and gives the jewellery its personality.

What workshops have you attended, and what skills did they cover?

My first workshop was the soldering class with Alana at East Nook Studios in St Andrews. I learned how to solder and texture silver. I made three textured rings and a pendant, which also helped me learn how to make rings to the correct size.

At Elements I did a Perspex and Silver workshop where I made a pendant. At this workshop I learned riveting techniques and this was the first time I used a pin drill.

I also did a one-on-one stone setting session with Jacqueline Bell at Coburg House in Leith. At this session I learned the process of setting stones with a tube or bezel setting. I set a stone onto a ring I had made at home. I was taught how to polish my pieces and give them a professional and shiny finish. This was the first time I used a pendant drill and I now have my own at home that I have been practising with.

How have you started to think about developing your own work? Who have you talked you to, so you can get feedback? How has that helped you improve?

I have been trying to make new designs as part of a collection. Having collections with different sizes of jewellery will help me to offer a wider range of prices. I also keep trying to make smaller, subtle pieces that are easy to wear everyday. I would also like to use the polishing techniques I learned with Jackie to make my pieces shinier and more professional looking.

Carol Sinclair, my business mentor, encouraged me to think about making collections and creating smaller pieces to include in them. Carol has given lots of good advice about making designs that will help me build my business.

Friends and family have given me a lot of feedback on my jewellery. They have inspired me to do pieces in different shapes and sizes and to make pendants with the same design as some of my earrings.

How has the business mentor been helpful? What are the biggest challenges you’re trying to overcome?

My business mentor helped me with what text and content I should include in my website. Carol also assisted me by suggesting different ways I could present my work in photos and what images I would need for the website.

I worked with Carol to figure out my style. I found different handmade items that I like and then tried to describe why I liked them. We managed to find three keywords to describe my style; gentle, fun, practical.

Carol also helped me learn how to price handmade items properly. This has given me the confidence to charge more for my jewellery. However, finding the right price has been very difficult for me. I am still working on finalising my prices based on who my customers are and what I have to compete with.

Which jewellers have you connected to, and what do you like most about their work?

I first connected with Stefanie Cheong when I started the bursary program. We did some ‘look and see’ visits and she helped me to find courses and recommended equipment for me. One of my favourite pieces Stef makes are her interchangeable rings because I think it’s a really fun idea but its also practical so you can change the ring to go with what you’re wearing.

I met Jacqueline Bell at the stone setting class she delivered. She taught me lots of useful things and we continued to email after the course so she could help me find the equipment I needed. I really like Jackie’s Concertina collection because it’s a simple but fun design and I think it looks like folded paper.

I recently met Andrea Dritschel and she helped me with some problems I was having and also helped me find equipment I need. I really like how she uses natural forms and keeps her designs simple and abstract.

We look forward to seeing exciting new pieces from Cerys in the near future!

In conversation with Cerys Williams

Cerys Williams is a young jeweller, based in Methil, Fife. She was awarded a Creative Scotland Youth Arts Fund Bursary with Fife Contemporary earlier this year. Programme Manager, Susan Davis, caught up with her recently to find out how she was getting on.

SD         Why did you apply for a Youth Arts Fund Bursary?

CW        My teacher at school told me about the Youth Arts Bursary. I left Levenmouth Academy in 2020 and during lockdown was making jewellery from my home. I did a lot of copper wire jewellery, giving it to friends and family. I wanted to give it a go and see and if I could find a way to make an income from my jewellery-making.

SD         Have you always enjoyed doing art and craft activities?

CW        Yes, I’ve always enjoyed doing that kind of thing, for as long as I can remember.  I was one of these kids that drew on the walls! I also like drawing but couldn’t see myself doing it as a job, but would like to keep drawing more as a hobby. Jewellery-making was what I was particularly attracted to.

SD         What are you looking forward to doing as part of the Bursary?

CW        I’ve already done a short course with Alana Peden (East Nook Studio), making 3 rings and a pendant in silver, which was great. We were in a small group of 4. As part of the Bursary, I’ve also just received lot of new equipment, suggested to me by Alana, and also Stefanie Cheong (Fife Contemporary’s Artist Development Officer who is also a jeweller). I’ve now got things like a small blow-torch, hammers, a saw, heat blocks, so I can do cutting and soldering.  I’m very excited to try it all out! Looking forward to experimenting with the new equipment and skills – I will be doing further courses as part of the Bursary, and will then have a better idea of what other things I want to learn.

SD         What would you like to be doing in a years’ time (so after the Bursary ends)?

CW        I enjoy learning new skills and would hope to have a small online shop ultimately where I can sell my jewellery from and have a source of income from it. It’s nice to have total freedom for a bit to see what I want to do.

Cerys will be working on this project till early 2023 and we look forward to catching up with her again in a few months’ time to see how she’s progressing!

Fife-based Artists – Craft Scotland’s Summer Show 2018

Living in Fife as we do, it’s always a pleasure to see Fife-based artists applying successfully to national events like Craft Scotland’s annual Summer Show at White Stuff on Edinburgh’s George Street

This is no small bread as only a relatively small number of artists are selected each year from a much larger pool. Therefore to have four artists from Fife in this year’s exhibition is something worth shouting about.

So, without any more ado, the Fife roll call for the 2018 show is as follows:

• Jan Hamilton who runs Balgarvie Weaving in Cupar

• Caroline Finlay, creator of wonderfully colourful enamel jewellery, based in Dunfermline

• Kate Trouw, also a jeweller, based at Sea Loft studio in Kinghorn

• Jo Walker, a ceramic artist who works near Dunfermline

Craft Scotland’s Summer Show opens to the public on Friday 3 August, running until 26th. You will find these 4 Fife artists along with 33 others on the 2nd floor at White Stuff (Fringe Venue 205, 89 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ES).

Opening hours are daily 10am-6pm, except Thursday: 10am – 7pm and Sunday: 11am – 5pm

In addition, there are maker-led workshops for you to try your hand at being creative. These are bookable through the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website, search under venue 205.

See also @craftscotland  #edsummershow  @balgarvieweaving  @caroline_finlay  @katetrouwjewellery  @jowalkerceramics

treat Store Artist Profile – Rebecca E Smith (Smith & Gibb)

Beginning her jewellery career early, Rebecca started her journey as a jewllers assistant in Glasgow’s West End. It was at this point she knew she wanted to learn more. She studied jewellery at Cardonald College and then went on to gain a first class degree at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee.

The inspiration behind her collections of jewellery came after discovering over 300 love letters sent during WWII from her Granddad to her Grandmother. Her pieces capture the sentiment and romance she discovered in the letters, these collected images and words adorn her pieces which she hopes captures the nostalgia and the greatness of their true love story. Rebecca adds a hint of colour through the traditional process of ENAMELLING, the vintage colour pallet she uses in the collection for the treat store has been taken from the stamps, ink and images from the postcards exchanged.

ENAMELING is a process that uses powdered glass and requires high temperatures to fuse it to the metal, also known as vitreous enamel. Vitreous enamels are finely ground glass, like a fine sand. They can be opaque or transparent and the range of colours come from the addition of oxides, the colour of the metal glistens through if using the transparent enamel. There are many techniques and types of enamel that can give a vast array of finishes, metals can be worked – etched, chased or formed to create patterns and shapes before any enamel is applied. Rebecca has used bold opaque colours to adorn her cooper shapes and finishes off the pieces with 925 silver details and findings.

To purchase any of these items or read more about Rebecca and her work visit the treat store here.

All work is created at her studio in Glasgow.

Rebecca has recently been part of the Craft Scotland summer show and is a frequent exhibitor at the Tea Green Pop up events. For more of her latest news, keep updated at her Facebook page here.

Images courtesy of the artist and Lewis Matheson.

Poetrytreat with Janette Ayachi and Anaïs Paulard

Poetrytreat exhibition for StAnza 2016 Poetry Festival:

For StAnza 2016 six poets were invited to write a poem in response to the gift of a craft object. This was chosen for them from the forthcoming Spring/Summer treat Store collection which is now available to purchase at our treat Store online.  The varied responses show how an object can stimulate the imagination in many and sometimes unexpected directions.

Over the coming weeks we will be releasing each poem along with the craft object that inspired it. This week we will be focusing on the words of poet Janette Ayachi and jewellery handmade by Anaïs Paulard.

Janette Ayachi is a Scottish-Algerian poet based in Edinburgh, to find out more about Janette and her work please visit here.

Anaïs Paulard is a French Jeweller based in Dundee, to view more of her work on sale at the treat Store or purchase this ring then please visit here.

treat is a brand developed by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft to promote high quality Scottish craft through a curated group of work featured in the online treat store and special pop-up events. To view our whole new spring / summer range please go here.

Marzee Collection link continues

Any lovers of fabulous contemporary jewellery and photography may well remember our 2009 exhibition featuring a selection of pieces from the Marzee Collection in Nijmegen and a series of photographic portraits by Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie of broad daylight.

Continue reading “Marzee Collection link continues”

Zingy orange bracelet from Milomade

New in FCA&C’s online shop is a really vibrantly orange button bracelet by Evie Milo of Milomade.

Continue reading “Zingy orange bracelet from Milomade”

More Alix Swan fairytale badges

I’ve just put a load of Alix Swan’s lovely fairytale badges on show at St Andrews’ Byre Theatre.

Continue reading “More Alix Swan fairytale badges”

New artist featured in FCA&C online shop

If ‘eco-chic’ is all the rage at the moment – and I think it is – then Evie Milo’s range of Milomade jewellery is truly a la mode!

Continue reading “New artist featured in FCA&C online shop”

Small is beautiful!

If you’re into books in any way, you might like our display for the StAnza Poetry Festival at St Andrews’ Byre Theatre.

Continue reading “Small is beautiful!”

FCA&C Craft Pod on tour!

FCA&C has waved its Craft Pod good-bye as it headed off this morning to Dunfermline – destination the Carnegie Library.

Having got quite used to seeing it in the foyer beside the FCA&C office in St Andrews Town Hall, it was quite sad to pack it up and send it on its way. However, its contents are sure to please visitors to the library.  It comprises several pieces of work by Spanish trained and London based jeweller, Arabel Lebrusan, whose amazing silver mantilla was one of the most popular exhibits in ‘The Object as Muse’, a Crafts Council exhibition brought by FCA&C to Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery last year. The jewellery display is accompanied by some background information including a short series of stills on a digital frame. If you’d like to find out more about filigree silversmithing in general and Arabel in particular, pay a visit to the Dunfermline Carnegie Library (Abbot Street).