PRESS RELEASE
Press Office Contact: Laura Marcus, Communications & Marketing Officer
T: 020 7566 7658 E: [email protected]
Embargoed: 00.01 hours Wednesday 26 June
Innovative training packages from the Goldsmiths’ Centre
give new jewellery and precious metal designer-makers a
head start in their career
Launching at New Designers show, 26 June 2013, Business Design Centre,
Islington
A new design community, aspiring to work in the jewellery and goldsmithing industry,
will get the chance to enhance their skills, at the bench and in business when the
leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths’ launches
its new training packages at New Designers on 26 June.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre, based in Clerkenwell, close to Farringdon Station and
the jewellery district of Hatton Garden, is offering three new career launch
pads to wannabe crafts people that will give them the perfect start to a future
in the industry.
Available from October 2013
Setting Out offers those wanting
to make the transition from
learning to business or a career
in a jewellery/goldsmithing
workshop full time, flexible
access to shared studio space
in its state-of-the-art building in
the heart of the creative
community. They will also get
access to a Knowledge
Programme that includes at
least 20 days vocational training
and/or professional
development per year.
From January 2014 the Centre’s
Making It programme of courses
taught by goldsmiths for
goldsmiths is ideal if you’re
already working in the industry and want to develop your skills or are just starting
your career. Courses are offered in a range of formats including day-release for
those working in the industry, evenings and weekendss, and will range from diamond
mounting, silversmithing and engraving to enamelling and diamond setting, with
more to be confirmed – giving designer/makers the skills they need to get to the next
level.
Also in January 2014, from 13 – 18, the Goldsmiths’ Centre will be running the
Goldsmiths’ Company’s Getting Started Course , a week of intensive, interactive
workshops and seminars to help new starters get to grips with setting up business on
their own, or as part of a workshop. Just some of the areas covered include; pricing
strategy; making social media work for you; marketing and selling to galleries and
specialist retailers – and much more besides. Places on this sought after course are,
literally like gold dust so would-be participants will need to fill in and return an
application form when application begins on Monday 14 October 2013.
Goldsmiths’ Centre Director Peter
Taylor is looking forward to meeting the
next generation of designers and
makers at New Designers when he
announces these innovative new
programmes:“What you learn in a university or
college environment doesn’t always
equip you for the highs and lows of
getting into a goldsmithing career”, he
comments “and graduates often find
that they also need to hone their
practical skills in the workshop. At the
same time, those immersed in learning
their skills at the bench don’t get time to
think about the transition into a
business of their own.
Our great new programmes combine these important learning streams so that those
new to the industry, and those already in it don’t just get the chance to excel at the
craft , they also get the business skills they need to survive in today’s volatile
business world”.
One member of the new jewellery and goldsmithing community, Ivonna Poplanska
has been able to get off to a glittering start, thanks to her involvement in the pilot
stage of the Setting Out programme:“My career has really taken off”, says Ivonna “Having studied at the University for the
Creative Arts in Rochester I took the opportunity to move into shared studio space at
the Goldsmiths’ Centre and enhance my skills through their Knowledge Programme.
In 2012 I won the British Jewellers Association’s competition to design a brooch for
Her Majesty the Queen celebrating her Diamond Jubilee. She wore the brooch to
church on Christmas Day – a real high point for me. I would never have won that
competition without the skills I learnt here at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, and the
exposure it has given me has resulted in new commissions and opportunities I feel
much more equipped to fulfil”.
Newcomers to the jewellery and goldsmithing bench or business can get their own
head start through the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Setting Out, Making It and Getting
Started.
They can start by taking a look at the Setting Out studio space at the Setting Out
Open Day on Friday 12 July – from 10am.
Further information on the packages will be available at the Goldsmiths’ Centre
stand at New Designers and application forms can be downloaded from their website
www.goldsmiths-centre.org
Ends
For more information call Philippa Cowley-Thwaites at the Goldsmiths’ Centre
on 020 7 566 7667 or email her at [email protected]
Notes to editors
About the Goldsmiths’ Centre
The Goldsmiths’ Centre is the leading charity for the professional training of
goldsmiths.
Founded by the Goldsmiths’ Company in 2007 it is a charitable enterprise
with a specific purpose:
“To advance, maintain and develop art, craft, design and artisan skills,
including in particular but without limitation, those pertaining to goldsmithing”.
It does this by:

Providing managed workspace, education and training for public benefit

Fostering promoting and extending public interest in art, craft, design and
artisan skills

Providing a knowledge base and community for those engaged or
interested in these skills.
About Setting Out
Setting Out is open to graduates and those working within the goldsmithing
industry. For an inclusive fee of £50 per week they receive:-
Full-time, flexible access to a fantastic shared studio space
-
Access to a Knowledge Programme that includes vocational training
and/or professional development for a minimum of 20 days per year
-
Access to Goldsmiths Centre training and prototyping workshops
-
Lockable storage
-
The chance to meet peers as part of the Goldsmiths’ Centre
community
-
The potential to work towards a higher-level vocational qualification
through the Centre’s professional training programme
Application forms available NOW at www.goldsmiths-centre.org
About Making It
For those already working in the industry or new starters Making It provides
day release, day-time, evening or weekend courses in a variety of disciplines
from diamond setting to enamelling.
Attendees can be sure of top quality tuition, focussed on professional practice,
excellence, small class sizes and access to the finest industry craftspeople.
The Centre works alongside City & Guilds to offer qualifications that are
recognised by the industry UK-wide.
Applicants can register NOW at www.goldsmiths-centre.org
About Getting Started
Graduates from a jewellery, silversmithing or affiliated degree or HND course
can sign up for the Goldsmiths’ Company’s prestigious business programme
– Getting Started - and benefit from the ideal springboard into a career.
The free, week long course runs from 13- 18 January 2014 and is held at the
state-of-the-art Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell.
Interactive seminars and workshops range from finance for business,
maximising social media exposure, selling to galleries and specialist retailers
and pricing strategy – to name but a few.
Advice is available from leading industry experts and participants also get the
chance to showcase their work at the Goldsmiths’ Centre as part of an
exclusive industry reception.
Aboutto start a business, or simply need space to plan your