Jacobs the Jewellers’ Emerging Designer Competition: Announcing winner of 2023’s 9th edition
A successful collaboration with the Bishopsland Educational Trust, The Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh
++ READING, BERKSHIRE, UK July 3rd 2023 ++
Jacobs the Jewellers, Reading’s oldest independent jewellery retailer, announced the winner of their Emerging Designer’s competition today. The results were as follows:
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Jewellery Winner AYAT DHAHI Coloured Orb Brooch Jewellery runner up CAITLIN MURPHY Spiral Brooch |
Silver Winner REVAN ABDULSABOUR Iqraa Bookmark Silver runner up HANNEKE MERCKX Sculptural Vessel |
(Pictures to follow)
Bishopsland designers took part in the competition presented instore and via www.jacobsthejewellers.comduring late July and early August. Each participant showcased an item of silver as well as a piece of jewellery. Over the voting period, visitors to Jacobs’ website or shop voted for their favourite jewellery design as well as their preferred silver object. The Mayor of Reading also visited mid-way through the competition, chatting with representatives of Bishopsland, and casting his vote. Over 1200 votes were cast this year, both in person and online.
The established competition offers great benefits to the participating designers. As an end point towards their stay at Bishopsland, the competition entrants work for many months creating their works. It gives them an opportunity to make their designs to deadlines, displaying them in a public facing environment, in preparation for their move into hopefully enjoyable and rewarding careers within the industry.
The winners each received £250 of HS Walsh vouchers, the runners up £150 vouchers each, to spend on tools or materials to help establish their careers in the jewellery and silver industry, plus a framed presentation certificate. Chris Oliver from the Goldsmiths Centre and HS Walsh’s Leo Hadgi-Petrou joined Adam Jacobs and Bishopsland Principal Angela Cork in Jacobs’ Reading shop to present the awards.
The annual competition has been made possible for the Bishopsland Educational Trust through the initiative, co-operation and support of Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh.
See the items:
https://jacobsthejewellers.com/jewellery/bishopsland-designers/
Adam Jacobs, Partner, Jacobs the Jewellers: “Each year the competition goes from strength to strength. Our clients love seeing the amazing work on display, and genuinely marvel at the skill in the craft. Thanks to all the gang for their hard work and we wish all the year group ‘good luck’ as they set off in their jewellery and silver careers.”
Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training, The Goldsmiths’ Centre:
“Congratulations to Bishopsland Educational Trust and this year’s line-up of talented competitors from the Goldsmiths’ Centre team! With your support and votes, Jacobs the Jeweller’s Emerging Designer competition helps to celebrate the future of silversmithing – the talent and potential of the next generation of makers.”
Angela Cork, Principal, Bishopsland Educational Trust: “Yet again in the 9th year of the competition we continue to be amazed at the number of online and in person votes and remain extremely grateful for everyone's support. We also thank Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh for providing this unique and important opportunity for our Designer - Makers, to experience marketing their work to a retail audience and for inspiring them to produce their best contemporary work. Once again a triumph of diverse organisations coming together to support creativity and talent in the Jewellery and Silversmithing industry.”
Leo Hadgi-Petrou Manager at HS Walsh said “2023’s edition had a very high standard of work, and all the HS Walsh team were really challenged in selecting their favourites. Revan, Ayat, Hanneke and Caitlin are worthy winners with a high number of votes, though we congratulate all the talented Bishopsland gang."
Bishopsland Educational Trust is an internationally recognised, post-graduate residential programme. Participants receive intensive training in the hand craft skills required to elevate their work to the next level, alongside business skills training. There is an equal concentration on silversmithing and jewellery skills as well as the professional skills needed to thrive as a self-employed designer maker. This integrated approach makes the programme unique.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre is the UK’s leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths. Since 2012, it has supported jewellers, silversmiths, and the wider precious metal industry, to improve skills and shape careers.
HS Walsh, Awarded a Royal Warrant to the Queen in 2016 Walsh are one of the leading suppliers of tools and equipment for jewellers and horologists. They have been supplying, Jewellery findings, clock and watch materials to the jewellery and horological trades for more than 75 years and export to more than 87 countries worldwide. Their service is backed up by knowledgeable staff who are always prepared to go that extra mile to ensure that the “customer” is 100% satisfied.