Hotel Grand Victoria – last weekend

I’d forgotten I’d decided against the shared bathroom option – ended up with this beautiful room overlooking the river.

the hotel has this creeper that I love

It’s in Pisa

Pietrasanta

I did a trip to Pietrasanta to meet friends from the States. Pietrasanta is a centre for sculpture because of the Cararra marble nearby (Leonardo woz here). There are sculptures by Mitoraj in the main square and other modern pieces in parks and spaces around the town.

We dropped by Marble Studio Stagetti. These pieces have just been 3D cnc routed:-

The town is attractive, I particularly liked this wall

This building site

and this gate

New Designers 2015

I managed to squeeze a trip to New Designers into my June residency at SSW, with help from my fellow graduate jewelers.

my display

We had an exciting few days, some high, much standing, and met lots of helpful people.

silver bullion award piece sold

I sold two bronze cast spoons, one to the amazing Ute Decker and one that I have yet to even make.

The spoon in the middle is ‘the one’

I got a lovely wee write up in http://www.guildofjewellerydesigners.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1296%3Ahighlights-from-new-designers-2015&catid=61&Itemid=73 “a new kid to watch”

I was approached my two online selling sites – Helen at http://www.simple-shape.com/ and Marcel at veryfirstto.com. Very different platforms, but obviously for the discerning!

I met three of the co-operative who own and run Fusion Gallery http://studiofusiongallery.co.uk/ in the Oxo tower on the South Bank. They were taken with my display of spoons and may wish to include them in an exhibition.

a wee pattern welded spoon

I was accepted into the Society of Designer Craftsmen http://www.societyofdesignercraftsmen.org.uk/, which traces its roots back to William Morris. I can sign up as a licentiate and get a mentor to help me in my next steps.

I have been invited to apply for a residency at Unit Twelve Gallery (even after telling them that I am noisy and dirty!) http://unittwelve.co.uk/cultivated.htm

the mobile furnace

I had a chat with a couple of people from Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre and will be looking out for their residency call later this year. http://www.lgac.org.uk/

I spoke to Goldsmiths Centre about the courses that they offer, including Starting Out; I met Georgia Powell from the Curators Department (they gave me my silver bullion award) and spoke to the Goldsmith’s Library about what resources they can offer.

Several people gave me advice including from the British Jewellers Association, and many people admired my work.

I also got to spend a few nights with my daughter.