Trade Talk June 2006
Highlights from April J-dex On-Line
Many thanks to all of you who have sent in listings for the directory.
We received over 350 new entries last month so the directory is set to become larger still!
Of the visitors to the j-dex.com site, 81% were UK based.
90 visitors stayed on the site for over an hour.
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL COMMISSION
Silversmith Bryony Knox has just completed an exciting and unusual commission for Winchester Cathedral.
The silver lamp, inspired by the fishing boats of Galilee, allows the flame to be reflected in the billowing sail. The chased Pelican, with gilt details, sits high on the prow of the boat.
Bryony specialises in chasing figurative characters and creatures, and this commission was a wonderful opportunity to push her ideas and skills further.
Winchester Cathedral has an impressive past record for commissioning work from contemporary artists and this particular project came through The Bishopsland Educational Trust.
The Lamp can now be seen in The Venerable Chapel, Winchester Cathedral.
Bryony will be showing her latest range of work at
Hamilton and Inches, 87 George Street, Edinburgh, throughout the month of May.
Bryony Knox- Tel: 07715 388 964, Email: info@bryonyknox.com, Website: www.bryonyknox.com
GF Williams
Passionate about Gems
Market Update
As always we go to some lengths to keep up with market changes, it is vitally important to know the supply or price changes that may directly affect customers.
On a recent buying trip to Asia we discovered a number of market issues that may be of interest to J-Dex readers.
The Thai gem market is not buoyant and recent election problems along with high gold prices are causing a noticeable lack of market confidence. Lower demand is reducing the levels of new production coming through so buyers should prepare to experience less choice.
Blue sapphire - Bright open Kanchanaburi has become more rare lower lustre stronger colour types are being offered more frequently. Rumours of new treatments continue to cause concern.
Ruby - Clean strong colour goods which are always difficult are strong in price, suppliers are now more willing to cut shapes and sizes to specific customer demand. ëOlder ëSiamí type rubies have dropped in price, this material particularly suits the weaker non - sunlight of the UK and is looking particularly good value for money in the market at the moment.
Pink Sapphire - An ever popular stone is showing pricing up again with a decrease in fresh goods in the market and higher levels of ever more unclean material. Some shapes may be unavailable as the cutters are not experiencing high demand.
Multi coloured Sapphire which has always existed is now abundant and new production of a new colour of green should create interest.
Rubelite Tourmaline - Large quantities of over dark and included material have appeared, but the clean bright material is higher in price than this time last year suggesting a scarcity
If you would like information on any other stone please feel free to contact me.
Jason
jason@gfwilliams.co.uk
Hannah Martin
Creative Pioneer
A year ago Hannah Martin was one of the many nervous ex-students at the New Designers exhibition in Islington. As with the others she had just finished her degree at Central St.Martins but was unsure which way to go.
Twelve months later it's a very different story, Hannah explained, 'After the New Designers exhibition I was contacted by ABT Design to tell me that I'd won a year of free casting at their company. Not only has that been a huge financial help but they also guided me through the technicalities of precious metal casting. They are very helpful people who really didn't seem to mind any stupid questions. They've been very generous.'
Later in the year Hannah applied and won a place on the National Endowment Science Technology and the Arts programme (Nesta). She became one of only 25 people who get on the course each year. Hannah explained, 'It's been a crash course in setting up a business. We've been on two intensive courses in Kent and Glasgow each lasting three weeks. Now I have my own designated mentor and I'm a 'creative pioneer'. Part of the course was to create a video sales pitch to apply for an investment, which Hannah won after having to give a live pitch too. The money is going towards an 18ct gold collection, website, marketing and trademark registration.
Hannah is already selling in two stores in Japan and a store in London. Her aim is to create three more collections so as to exhibit in Europe in the near future.
Hannah has a definite vision of the future, 'I will be spending my time designing jewellery, prototyping myself with the help of ABT Design and then outsourcing production. I have found an outstanding German company who produces very high quality jewellery for me.'
www.hannah-martin.com
hannah@hannah-martin.com
Tel:07748 806659
NESTA, the National Endowment for Science,Technology and the Arts, is working to increase the UK's capacity for innovation. We invest in all stages of the innovation process, backing new ideas and funding new ventures that stimulate entrepreneurship.
