Spring Fair Review

There was a communal sigh of relief as the NEC Fair created more business for the participants than many had expected. Several companies reported a ‘good' fair with many people saying that although numbers of visitors were down the people who had visited were serious buyers. The busiest stands were definitely the silver importers such as Paul Kennedy and Balagan, who had a great show. The stone dealers were busy selling the more colourful, bolder gemstones.
It's all about colour for 2006!

MOORE IS THE BUYERS' CHOICE

The designer jeweller, Jane Moore has been voted ‘The Buyers' Choice' in the 2006 Kayman Award for suites of silver jewellery.

Buyers visiting Spring Fair Birmingham this February were invited to choose their top product from the six companies short-listed in this prestigious annual competition, which is organised by the British Jewellers' Association, sponsored by Spring Fair Birmingham and supported by BJGF Federation.

Moore's ‘Anna Collection', which has been developed as the result of an extensive research and development programme, combines sterling silver with fine ceramic transfers in a range of jewel bright colours and dainty motifs. It includes rings, bangles, bracelets, pendants and earrings. Retail prices range from £68 - £138.

“There is no doubt that Jane's collection is very much of the moment,” says the BJA's Lindsey Straughton. “She was a clear winner and the comments we received from buyers were overwhelmingly positive.”

“There is no greater compliment than this,” enthused Moore on being told she had won. “It was a tremendous honour winning the Award itself and this is the icing on the cake.”

Other companies short-listed for the Kayman Award were Curteis, Daniella Dobson, Jessica Hewitt, Gecko and Phoenix Design.

Night at Hotel du Vin

All buyers who took part in selecting the Kayman Award ‘Buyers' Choice' were entered into a Prize Draw to win overnight accommodation for two at Birmingham's exclusive ‘Hotel du Vin' to coincide with Spring Fair Birmingham 2007. The lucky winner was Mike Barton of Sparkle in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Aurora Orkney Jewellery'

Aurora Orkney Jewellery's Ocean collection was very well received at last week's Spring Fair. Customers loved the vibrant colour of the stunning collars and bracelets of Ocean, Denim and Rose. Coupled with the excellent contacts made the company were delighted with the show's outcome.

sara@tait77.freeserve.co.uk

Michael Carpenter

Michael Carpenter produces a fine range of silver jewellery and silver with 18ct jewellery. Each piece has a simple, classic elegant style that gives Michael's jewellery its enduring appeal. His business is now in its 22nd year. A new collection was launched at the show to great success.

‘I did not have great hopes that this would be a good show at the start and although the Sunday was noticeably quieter I did quite well. By the end of the week however, this had turned out to be one of the best shows I had done since the Designer Collection section started in 1994, both in terms of new business and orders taken at the show.'

The image is of the limited edition range that are signed and numbered.

Lois Jewellery

Mike Dilnot, managing director of Lois Jewellery said, ‘Sunday was excellent with plenty of people visiting the stand. Monday was much less busy but with very professional buyers coming to the Fair. We approached the Fair with some trepidation this year but ultimately were pleased.'

Amy Wilkinson

Sensuous jewellery inspired by the seductive qualities of lingerie.

From considering the issues underwear raises, such as its constraint to the body, its provocative reference and its functional necessity, Amy has combined lace, silk, ribbons and bows with silver creating passionate, feel good jewellery celebrating feminine confidence.

As a second time exhibitor at the Birmingham Spring Fair, Amy was pleased with the popularity of her Ribbon collection and the new Garter Neckpieces which will soon be available at outlets in London and Chesterfield. She will also be exhibiting at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate, and Grand Designs Live in London, Excel.

Amy Wilkinson Jewellery

www.awjewellery.com

Tel: 07803609547

amywilkinson68@hotmail.com

Goodman Morris

‘This was our first time at Birmingham. Having done the IJL show in London for the last four years we thought that Febuary was a good time of year to take on another show. We chose Birmingham by recommendation from other jewellers and found the whole show very uplifting and financially rewarding.

We had a lot of orders from existing customers and alot from new customers (my main criteria for a successful show ). We also had a large amount of interest from a wider range of shops. Our main customer base are independent contemporary jewellers, but we found more traditional jewellers looking at our work. We also had interest form a few shop chains, a ladies fashion magazine and QVC the shopping channel.

Our most successful pieces were the simple range, the Lotus range and our pave diamond set heart pendants on organza ribbon went very well.'

alex@goodmanmorris.com

Sheila Fleet

Martin Fleet said, For Sheila Fleet the Spring Fair 2006 can be counted as a great success. At the Fair we launched our latest ‘Flagstone Collection' which was very well received.

After a brisk start to the year our existing customers are ordering with confidence and we are delighted to now supply many more new outlets.

Over the past year we have worked hard to improve our promotional point of

sale material providing our customers with a smart frosted acrylic display unit. Since introducing this presentation package it has had an immediate and positive effect on sales and has strengthened the identity of Sheila Fleet.'

Goldmajor

GOLDMAJOR had a major success at the NEC – offering unique amber items and introducing steel with carbon fibre from their JW man range, all proving to be a winner.

Goldmajor was constantly busy, resulting in their customers having to return on numerous occasions to view all of the new and highly successful collections.

‘APOLLO' VASE

This spectacular tall vase is the latest addition to the successful ‘Apollo' silverware collection.

‘It acts as a focal point, and looks particularly stunning as a pair' says its designer Martyn Pugh, who displayed it for the first time at the International Spring Fair.

Seated on a stable silver foot, the unusual internally-fluted glass body is both elegant and practical, emphasising the drama of tall flowers whilst obscuring their stems.

44cm high

Trade price 415.00

martyn@martynpugh.co.uk

Charmian Beaton Design

Charmian Beaton Design added brightly coloured strings of ‘tumble chip' stones to her ‘Silver Dragonfly' range for the NEC Spring Fair.

‘My trade customers have been very excited by the Dragonfly pieces. It's an original design and customers love it. Over Christmas I was in the workshop until 10.30 every evening working to get the orders out. The round pendants especially were being ordered in batches. I was so surprised, I never imagined the range would get such a response. Its been a great addition to my existing range of gold, silver and diamonds. The Dragonfly range has also brought me twice as many new customers as I anticipated. It's been fantastic!'

‘At this Spring Fair, again, both my Dragonfly range and silver and diamonds range have done very well with the most popular pieces being the round dragonfly pendants one set on the Organza scarf and the smaller on a multi-strand. Of special interest was the large silver pendant with three diamonds set into a diagonal crack, the round domed pendant with the crack running round one side also set with

three diamonds and the rings to match. I'm delighted with the start of my year and really looking forward to Inhorgenta, I hope it's as successful as the Spring Fair 2006.'

Contact: Charmian Beaton Design

T/F +44 (0) 1622 609650

Temporary e-mail- Charmianb@hotmail.com