Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Goldsmiths’ Fair
The Goldsmiths’ Fair - now celebrating its 40th year - is one of the UK’s most renowned destinations for jewellery, design, and craftsmanship. It’s more than just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of artistry and innovation, bringing together makers and jewellery admirers in a truly inspiring setting.
It’s also an excellent day out. The surrounding area offers plenty of galleries, shops, and restaurants to explore, and the venue itself – the historic Goldsmiths’ Hall, once home to one of London’s ancient livery companies is worth a visit for its architecture alone.
CONCEPT AND INSPIRATION
This year, I’ve focused predominantly on Watermelon Sugar, my signature collection celebrating bold, colourful gemstones in fine jewellery. I’ve designed a new pair of earrings, and a hero ring, a reinterpretation of my previous Burst Collection. This Explosion Ring captures the playful, energetic spirit of the collection through a mix of gemstone shapes and vibrant green and pink hues.
SYMBOLISM
I’ve also added new celestial-inspired engravings to my Golden Futures collection - the sun and moon:
The Sun: Represents life, energy, strength and guidance.
The Moon: Symbolises intuition, wisdom and nurturing qualities.
COMBINED:
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Duality and Balance: The sun and moon represent the “dance of opposites,” complementary forces existing in harmony.
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Wholeness: Their union conveys a sense of completeness, integrating light and shadow to create balance.
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Yin and Yang: I love how they illustrate the interplay of opposing forces, a principle that runs throughout my designs.
INFLUENCES AND MATERIALS
All my pieces are crafted in 14ct yellow gold. This year, I’ve introduced new colourways for bicolour tourmalines in blue and green, and I’ve used ametrine for the first time, with its unique purple and yellow hues. I also think of some pieces as modern talismans - the sun and moon designs are intended to be carried with you, bringing the wearer a little luck and positivity.
I’ve also created a mini pendant set with one sun, one moon, and one combining the two which can be worn individually or layered. Looking back at my early sketchbooks and mood boards, it’s exciting to see how these concepts have evolved into finished pieces.
THE PRACTICAL SIDE
This year, I wanted my stall to reflect my artistic interests and background in art history, evoking the atmosphere of an artist’s workspace. The props, made using a variety of papers and painting techniques, create a striking contrast between the raw, tactile surfaces and the crisp finishes of my jewellery.
Some pieces, crafted from plaster to mimic thick layers of dried paint, have taken on a sculptural quality. They serve as supports to drape jewellery across or even to display earrings, blending functionality with an artistic sensibility.
Colour has also played a central role in the display. Deep blues, emerald greens, and bright whites form a backdrop carefully chosen to complement the tones and textures of the collection.
LOOKING AHEAD
This year, I’m especially excited to meet other jewellery makers and engage with visitors alike, as the fair offers a rare opportunity to experience diverse creative approaches and share the stories behind my own work. In the lead-up to Goldsmiths’ Fair, I have been exploring ideas, experimenting with forms, and refining each piece to its fullest potential. I look forward to welcoming guests to the stall and offering them a glimpse into the inspiration and process behind each piece in the collection.
For more information about the fair, you can read my previous blog post or subscribe to my newsletter.
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