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Amelia’s Magazine | Review: An evening class at the London Jewellery School

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
All photography by Amelia Gregory.

A couple of weeks ago I went along to the London Jewellery School for a night of cupcakes and cocktail rings, otherwise known as a lesson in how to make wire wrap beaded jewellery.

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
At the work table each seat was laid with an individual jewellery kit but all attention was immediately drawn to the twinkling assortment of glass beads in the centre of the table. I am sure that anyone with a magpie mind can appreciate the lure…

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
We were soon dipping into the beads, pulling out our desired options to start the first project, a wire wrap bracelet made on bouncy pre-shaped wire. This was extremely simple, with the most taxing part choosing the right combination of beads, not too small and not too heavy, to produce the right look. Many of the others settled on tasteful monochrome pieces, but as usual I could not resist something a bit more colourful, a heathery palette of purples, blues, deep reds and greens.

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
Our tutor was Chu-Mei, who runs Grace & Firefly. She was super helpful and funny, immediately on hand to help with out any problems or advise on design decisions.

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
Once we had all managed to create a bracelet it was straight on to the next project, a blingy wire wrap ring. This required a more concentrated mind, as the rings were constructed from wire to fit our fingers perfectly and then clusters of beads were piled on top of each other to create the final cocktail ring. I managed to produce three different over the top creations that featured an assortment of brightly coloured, gold and pearlised beads.

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory

Who needs Accessorise when you can create something utterly unique in under half an hour, and so much satisfaction comes from the creation process itself? I think that we were all quite pleased and pleasantly surprised with the amount of booty that we each managed to produce during the class. And one of the best things about the evening? The chance to meet other talented jewellers and find out a bit more about the London Jewellery School.

Afro deco upcycled watch pendant
Natasha Williams is Afro Deco, a jeweller who specialises in upcycling jewellery with added resin details – beautiful and unusual.

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
Another lady was an expert in polymer clay, the far classier descendent of Fimo. Remember Fimo? The new stuff is streets ahead, just check out the beautiful necklace above. Mary Ann of Zarafa Designs was also very helpful when I ran into trouble with my designs.

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
The London Jewellery School fits into a surprisingly compact room in Hatton Garden. Classes are incredibly diverse, in everything from perspex to gold – you an even make your own wedding bands (what a lovely idea!) I even learnt about the charms of Dichroic Glass, which can do all sorts of fabulous things (see below).

London Jewellery School 2011 -photography by Amelia Gregory
Coming up before Christmas the London Jewellery School is running a few classes where you can make bespoke Crimbo presents, and they have just announced news of a Set up your own Jewellery Business Distance Learning Course. In another life I quit this internet malarkey and concentrate on making things myself, so if you, like me, have always wondered whether you can make something you love into a career then this course could be just the ticket for you. The London Jewellery School was set up by young entrepreneur Jessica Rose who herself learnt the trade by doing short courses, so she is well equipped to talk about these kind of things.

‘Whether you have plans for a small pocket-money operation, a full time job or an even larger business employing others, the course is designed to guide you through all the basics of running a successful jewellery business. The course pack contains a 50-page glossy workbook, supporting case study booklet and more than 80 minutes of video footage with advice from jewellery business expert and course tutor Jessica Rose. ‘ If you pre-order this comprehensive course before the official release date on Friday 9th December then you can get the whole kit for just £99.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Wednesday December 7th, 2011 5:36 pm

Categories ,Accessorise, ,Afro Deco, ,Beading, ,Bling, ,Bracelet, ,Christmas, ,Chu-Mei, ,Classes, ,Cocktail Rings, ,cupcakes, ,Dichroic Glass, ,Fimo, ,Gold, ,Grace & Firefly, ,Hatton Garden, ,Jessica Rose, ,London Jewellery School, ,Mary Ann, ,Natasha Williams, ,Perspex, ,Polymer Clay, ,Resin, ,review, ,Set up your own Jewellery Business Distance Learning Course, ,Short Courses, ,Silver, ,Upcyled, ,Wedding Rings, ,Wire Wrap, ,Zarafa Designs

Amelia’s Magazine | London Fashion Week S/S 2012 Catwalk Review: David Koma

David Koma SS12 by Gilly Rochester
David Koma S/S 2012 by Gilly Rochester.

Ahhhhh… David Koma. One of London‘s most feted new design talents and a hot ticket on a Tuesday you would think, cialis 40mg but this show was far from full let alone packed, viagra with people scurrying forwards to the front row from all sides as the show began. Beneath the glassed roof of the old Waterloo Eurostar terminal David Koma presented a beautiful collection on some so-so models. I’d heard rumours that an early start to Milan was dragging off the more important parts of the fashion industry but if ever there was proof this was it.

David Koma SS 2011 review-photo by Amelia Gregory

David Koma Illustration By Kassie Berry
David Koma S/S 2012 by Kassie Berry.

Despite some very interesting jutting heads and flapping arms I loved this collection, wherein David Koma played with shapes and textural movement like never before. A silky cream coloured concoction opened the show, with what amounted to a huge belt gathered at the waist into multi-layered loose pleats, inspired by African Zulu style. Underneath the most gauzy of under garments represented the majority of the dress, cut up by abstract devore shapes that were inspired by a combination of Polynesian tribal body paint and the work of artist Kim Joon.

David Koma SS 2011 review-photo by Amelia Gregory

A gradual hint of summery colour was brought to the proceedings through the use of lime green and bright rose pink on sleeves and behind the devore cut outs in chest panels. As in many other collections skirted shapes encompassed both pencil and a wider skater shape, but because of the layering it was here that the different looks worked at their seamless best.

David Koma by Gareth A Hopkins
David Koma S/S 2012 by Gareth A Hopkins.

David Koma SS 2011 review-photo by Amelia Gregory

High heels by Alain Quilici were chunky with wide t-bar sections that frilled out in an echo of the waist pleats. Hair featured multiple partings similar to the abstract designs on clothing. Check out the amazing coloured Minx Nails up close in this blog on Inspirational.

David Koma SS 2011 review-photo by Amelia Gregory

david_koma_by_ada_jusic
David Koma S/S 2012 by Ada Jusic.

With a rattle of swaying hips iridescent perspex adornments – a collaboration with jewellery designer Sarah Angold – began to spread across thighs and breasts. A series of inky black dresses were highlighted in turquoise before the final pieces became engulfed in an oily rainbow of perspex embellishment, this time repeated in exquisite pearlised sequin designs paired with more of that luscious lime. Yum.

David Koma SS 2011 review-photo by Amelia Gregory

David Koma S/S 2011. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Wednesday September 28th, 2011 2:47 pm

Categories ,abstract, ,Ada Jusic, ,African, ,Alain Quilici, ,Belts, ,David Koma, ,Devore, ,Embellishment, ,Gareth A Hopkins, ,Gilly Rochester, ,Inspirational, ,Iridescent, ,jewellery, ,Kassie Berry, ,Kim Joon, ,lfw, ,London Fashion Week, ,Minx Nails, ,Pearlised, ,pencil skirt, ,Perspex, ,Pleated, ,Polynesian, ,S/S 2012, ,Sarah Angold, ,Skater Skirt, ,Tribal patterns, ,Waterloo Eurostar Terminal, ,Zulu

Amelia’s Magazine | Little Shilpa: London Fashion Week S/S 2014 Presentation Review

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Slowly The Eggs

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Slowly The Eggs

Little Shilpa is the eponymous label of Mumbai born milliner and accessory designer Shilpa Chavan, and this was her first ever Fashion Scout showcase during London Fashion Week. I have recently been rather obsessed with eastern religions’ goddess iconography and images of Green Tara, Shakti merging into Shiva or Hathor crowd my desktop, so attending Little Shilpa’s ‘Grey Matter’ presentation was a welcome gift indeed. The five figures standing in front of us looked like five fantastical deities, delightfully adorned with dramatic headpieces and jewellery whose forms had obvious eastern influences. Their bodies were clothed with equally theatrical textile assemblages, some of them referencing the sari and including tulle, brocade, silk and lace. In both her accessories and garments, Shilpa Chavan holds tradition close but gives them a modern outlook. For example, underneath the deconstructed saris she used men’s shirts, and instead of ornamental jewellery being made in gold metals it was presented in perspex. In fact, according to the designer, this indecision between the traditional and the contemporary was behind the title of her first London Fashion Week outing – I hope there will be more!

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Claire Kearns

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Claire Kearns

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Daisy Steele

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Daisy Steele

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Lynne Datson

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 by Lynne Datson

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Little Shilpa S/S 2014 presentation. All photography by Maria Papadimitriou

Written by Maria Papadimitriou on Friday September 20th, 2013 9:26 pm

Categories ,accessories, ,Claire Kearns, ,Daisy Steele, ,Fashion Scout, ,Goddess, ,Grey Matter, ,Headpiece, ,jewellery, ,LFW Presentation, ,Little Shilpa, ,London Fashion Week, ,Lynne Datson, ,Maria Papadimitriou, ,Mumbai, ,Perspex, ,Sari, ,Shilpa Chavan, ,Slowly the Eggs, ,Tradition

Amelia’s Magazine | Jewellery Connections 2011 at Platform in Hatton Garden

Steph Davies by Holly Farrington.

Led by Camden Council, viagra order Jewellery Connections was a partly-funded project that worked with up-and-coming and newly-established designers from around the capital. It was a good-spirited idea, created to encourage creativity and collaboration from those specifically working in the jewellery mecca that is Hatton Garden. For some of the designers, it was the first time that their collections had been shown to the public, and after 18-months of hard work, and waiting, nerves were obviously running high. I went to have a look on the late night opening, and after happily accepting a freshly baked cupcake, or two, was pleased to find that my eyes were as satisfied as my taste buds. These are some of my personal highlights…

Steph Davies - Silver Diamond Locket
Silver Diamond Locket by Steph Davies.

Steph Davies‘ collection Diamond Day drew me in pre-cupcake, before I had even reached the door. Her work was in the front window of the gallery, two pendants intriguingly strung from a metal display. I’m a big fan of minimal, edgier jewellery and Steph’s design are just that. When I asked her to describe her work in three words she tells me, ‘structure, control, industrial‘ – an ethos I appreciate. Each piece is hand-made in silver at her London workshop, and for this collection she is inspired by the form of diamonds. I learn later that nature is a recurrent theme in her designs, previous work having been influenced by feathers and bones. I liked the simplicity of Steph’s jewellery – the idea of wearing a diamond, but stripped back to it’s simplest form, it’s shape. Finer details such as the garnet, and the diamond charm that reveals itself as a locket, also really impressed.

Sarah Eyton by Holly Farrington.

Inside the gallery it was surprisingly quiet for a late night opening. I wandered around the display cabinets, taking in the delights from designers such as Jessica De Lotz, with her selection of reworked vintage trinkets, to Laura Gravestock‘s intricate fine jewellery. I then came across Sarah Eyton‘s work – a name I was already familiar with. On display were a couple of Sarah’s Kismet cuffs, a super modern design, which will catch your eye even if you’re not familiar with her name like me. Each cuff is made from Perspex, using laser technology for a super fine cut and then heat moulded into the desired shape. They’ve become a popular item amongst the fashion press, and rightly so, as they are a pretty useful piece of jewellery – unusual enough to be worn as a statement, but also suitable for every day. I liked the pale green and classic black, colours which really help show off the intricate detailing on each cuff.

Amy Keeper by Holly Farrington.

After a quick chat to one of the gallery assistants, who told me that the previous night had been busy with jewellery lovers and buyers, I wandered back to check I had not missed anything in the rest of the window displays. Just to add, Platform is a non-profit organisation that was set up to support designers, so I thought it was great if the designers did get to see some real sales from an event like this, and have it all pay off. On my second view of the windows, I stumbled across something that I couldn’t believe I had missed when I arrived.

Amy Keeper - Magnifier Pendant Sterling Silver, Gold and Black Rhodium Plated, Rock Crystal
Amy Keeper’s Magnifier Pendant Sterling Silver, Gold and Black Rhodium Plated with Rock Crystal.

Hidden in the bottom corner of the front window was the lovely work from Amy Keeper. I read later that Amy’s work is inspired by a spyglass from a favourite children’s story. The collection has a special and unusual combination of vintage charm and optical heritage. The necklace and ring were the most striking pieces, and the whole collection is made from sterling silver, with gold and black rhodium plating and finished with semi-precious stones. The collection really wowed me – I felt there was a story behind the jewels; a mixture of polished, clean metal but with an unidentifiable shroud of mystery. Amy’s work certainly shows a level of sophistication that justifies the awards she received whilst studying at university. The magnifier pendant won the prize for my favourite piece; I loved its lucky-talisman quality.

Platform Showcase is located in Hatton Garden, and is open Monday to Saturdays.

Written by Miranda Williams on Thursday September 1st, 2011 6:02 pm

Categories ,Amy Keeper, ,camden, ,Diamond Day, ,Hatton Garden, ,Holly Farrington, ,Jessica De Lotz, ,jewellery, ,Jewellery Connections, ,Kismet, ,Laura Gravestock, ,Magnifier Pendant, ,Perspex, ,Platform Showcase, ,Sarah Eyton, ,Spyglass, ,Steph Davies

Amelia’s Magazine | Havering College: Ba Hons 3D Design Graduate Show 2011 Review

Havering 3D design graduate show 2011 Tessa Doughty
Nesting glass bowls by Tessa Doughty.

And so, viagra the 2011 graduates shows begin. My first invite was to the Havering College graduate fashion show just down the road at the Brick House in the Truman Brewery, for sale but I missed the entirety of it due to misinformation on arrival.

Havering graduate fashion show 2011
This was all I saw of the fashion show… the final parade.

Instead I discovered the wonders of the 3D Design department, side effects showing in the space around the corner next to The Big Chill Bar as part of this years Free Range Art and Design Show which has just kicked off with a two month round of graduate showcase exhibitions.

Sarah-Jane Warner is ‘challenging human interaction with physical objects through sight and touch’ with lovely ceramics in slightly varied curvaceous floramantic patterns with coloured interiors. She has also encased a table and the surrounding floor in a woven knit that questions the nature of a our surroundings.
Havering 3D design graduate show 2011-Sarah-Jane Warner

Laura Mardell has made small bottles of bloody teeth which question ‘the coexistence of dreams and reality in products’. I have no idea what is meant by these strange phials but they are certainly intriguing. Her website says “Laura has even managed to modify sarcasm into design, which can be described as eclectic.” Definitely zany.
Havering 3D design graduate show 2011-Laura Mardell

Tessa Doughty was perhaps the most prolific and inspired of the three that I discovered, aiming to work with ‘the perception and transformation of objects through patterns’ she’d created an ingenious glass coffee table with a sliding top section, some wonderful ceramic and glass egg shaped nesting bowls and a plethora of stackable perspex rings in bright colours.
Havering 3D design graduate show 2011 Tessa Doughty

Now Tessa and her classmates just need to work on their google ranking and get proper websites that make the most of their talent. All three girls have used wix to create very basic sites: am I the only person who really really dislikes wix as a free website platform? It’s clunky and flash driven which means that wix websites are hard to use and hard to find online – both of which are a massive no no for showing professional work.

Instead I recommend looking at any other number of website platforms that are free or low cost and easy to set up – try indexhibit for a very basic and clean looking website that actually works in search engines, Virb for a cheap but easy to build website that looks great or Cargo for a web hosting platform that also offers a large and vibrant online community.

The exhibition finishes tomorrow, Monday 6th June. What a find!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Sunday June 5th, 2011 10:59 am

Categories ,3D Design, ,Brick House, ,Brick Lane, ,cargo, ,ceramics, ,Coffee table, ,Free Range, ,Free Range Art and Design Show, ,freerange, ,Furniture, ,Graduate Fashion Show, ,Havering College, ,Indexhibit, ,jewellery, ,Laura Mardell, ,lrmdesign, ,Perspex, ,Sarah-Jane Warner, ,sjwarner, ,tdesigns, ,teeth, ,Tessa Doughty, ,The Big Chill Bar, ,Truman Brewery, ,Virb, ,Websites, ,Wix, ,Zany

Amelia’s Magazine | Havering College: Ba Hons 3D Design Graduate Show 2011 Review

Havering 3D design graduate show 2011 Tessa Doughty
Nesting glass bowls by Tessa Doughty.

Havering graduate fashion show 2011
This was all I saw of the fashion show… the final parade.

The exhibition finishes tomorrow, Monday 6th June. What a find!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Sunday June 5th, 2011 10:59 am

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