Makers' Stories

Do you want to discover the makers' stories behind the products? Read our Goldsmiths' Shop Talent blog. 

From Bamboo to Gold: Gillian Finlay’s Sculptural Jewellery Journey

Posted by Rae Gellel on

Gillian Finlay, a jeweller now based in Edinburgh, draws inspiration from the bamboo scaffolding of her childhood in Hong Kong, where craftsmen build intricate, towering structures without metal or screws. Her Scaffold collection mirrors the strength, flexibility, and geometric beauty of these lattice-like forms. Selected for Shine 2024, the Goldsmiths' Centre’s prestigious showcase of emerging talent, Gillian is recognized as a rising star in jewellery design.

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Gillian Finlay, a jeweller now based in Edinburgh, draws inspiration from the bamboo scaffolding of her childhood in Hong Kong, where craftsmen build intricate, towering structures without metal or screws. Her Scaffold collection mirrors the strength, flexibility, and geometric beauty of these lattice-like forms. Selected for Shine 2024, the Goldsmiths' Centre’s prestigious showcase of emerging talent, Gillian is recognized as a rising star in jewellery design.

Read more


Weaving History into Jewellery: Charlotte Smith’s Revival of Traditional Crafts

Posted by Rae Gellel on

Charlotte Smith, a Birmingham School of Jewellery graduate, reclaims the undervalued art of sewing through her intricate, feminine jewellery. Working from a historic Black Country cottage, she fuses old and new techniques by recreating sequins in precious metals, layering enamel, and sewing embellishments onto perforated backplates.

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Charlotte Smith, a Birmingham School of Jewellery graduate, reclaims the undervalued art of sewing through her intricate, feminine jewellery. Working from a historic Black Country cottage, she fuses old and new techniques by recreating sequins in precious metals, layering enamel, and sewing embellishments onto perforated backplates.

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A Passion for Beads: Emma Lawrence’s Colourful Journey with Spangle Fandango

Posted by Rae Gellel on

A lifelong passion for all things “colourful and shiny” led Emma Lawrence to explore jewellery-making as a hobby around 2010. What began as a creative way to while away the evenings, however blossomed into Spangle Fandango, a jewellery brand that specialises in vibrant and fun colour juxtapositions, shapes and patterns created through the intricate weaving of tiny glass beads.

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A lifelong passion for all things “colourful and shiny” led Emma Lawrence to explore jewellery-making as a hobby around 2010. What began as a creative way to while away the evenings, however blossomed into Spangle Fandango, a jewellery brand that specialises in vibrant and fun colour juxtapositions, shapes and patterns created through the intricate weaving of tiny glass beads.

Read more


From Spare Room to Seaside Studio: Roxanne Gilbert's Bold 'Spheres' Collection

Posted by Rae Gellel on

Roxanne Gilbert's journey from a South London spare room to a fully equipped studio with a view of Cornwall's tranquil shores has transformed her jewellery-making practice. Now, she’s set to debut her “Spheres” collection at Shine 2024, the Goldsmiths’ Centre's prestigious annual exhibition spotlighting the most exciting emerging talent in the industry.

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Roxanne Gilbert's journey from a South London spare room to a fully equipped studio with a view of Cornwall's tranquil shores has transformed her jewellery-making practice. Now, she’s set to debut her “Spheres” collection at Shine 2024, the Goldsmiths’ Centre's prestigious annual exhibition spotlighting the most exciting emerging talent in the industry.

Read more


The magic of muesli: Qiang Li’s quirky jewellery questions eastern and western breakfasts

Posted by Rae Gellel on

The positive feelings conjured up by food are not unlike those experienced when enjoying a piece of jewellery. Chinese-born designer Qiang Li's latest fine jewellery collection, Muesli, is a love letter to breakfast, the maker’s favourite meal of the day.

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The positive feelings conjured up by food are not unlike those experienced when enjoying a piece of jewellery. Chinese-born designer Qiang Li's latest fine jewellery collection, Muesli, is a love letter to breakfast, the maker’s favourite meal of the day.

Read more