Jacobs the Jewellers emerging designers competition

Round & About

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Nine up and coming designers are competing to win Jacobs the Jewellers annual competition as they search to boost their future careers

Coming into their 75 year anniversary, Jacobs the Jewellers are hosting their annual Emerging Designers competition.

This exciting event features nine fledging designers from Bishophead Educational Trust, all hoping to kick start their careers.

This competition combines both a virtual show with an instore experience to showcase the talents and help boost the designers’ fledging careers.

Each designer has been challenged with the task of making a piece for each of the two categories: a piece of jewellery and an object, which are to be judged between now and Wednesday 2nd August. Everyone is welcomed to vote for the pieces both online and instore. To participate in this, either visit the store at 25 King Street in Reading or vote online at: Jewellery: Bishopsland Designers.

Adam Jacobs, Partner, Jacobs the Jewellers said: “To think nine years ago we started working with Bishopsland; the time has flown by and my compliments to both the gang and their tutors! Seeing this year’s high standard work is both inspiring and gratifying – we look forward to seeing how the public vote and sharing with everyone. As ever, thanks to our co-presenting partners – they’ve amazing supporters.”

Angela Cork, Principal of Bishopsland Educational Trust added: “We are thrilled to be showcasing the next generation of Bishopsland’s silversmiths and jewellers work at Jacobs the Jewellers. This is the ninth year in which we have collaborated on this initiative, and it is an important part of our annual programme, and we remain thankful to Adam Jacobs, HS Walsh, and The Goldsmith’s Centre for their ongoing support for our makers and for our craft.”

The winners will be revealed on Thursday, 3rd August. The winners of each category are to win £250, and the runners up £100; with this great prize, winners can further boost their careers as designers. This money is granted for them to use at HS Walsh, a leading UK jewellery tool supplier, so they can buy a variety of different items to help them with their creations.

Author: Daisy Harwood

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A new lease of life

Karen Neville

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Recycling her knowledge and sharing it with others has helped The Upholstery Yard in Liss to flourish

As The Upholstery Yard celebrates its first birthday owner, Georgina, says starting and opening her own business is one of the best decisions she has ever made.

“It’s hard to believe that just 12 months ago The Yard was an old farm building and we were on our hands and knees cleaning and fitting out the workshop ready to start classes and our upholstery services within two weeks,” says Georgina.

“The workshop is now transformed with six individual workstations for students, easy access to all necessary tools and materials, and there’s plenty of space for everyone to work in comfort. Natural light floods in and with its views of the beautiful Hampshire countryside, The Yard provides a refreshing place to work and learn.”

I especially like seeing students get an immense sense of achievement as they progress their skills and complete their upholstery projects

The weekly leisure classes are filling up steadily as word spreads through recommendations and via the website. The classes cater for mixed abilities from complete beginners to those with more experience wanting to further their skills and creativity in a friendly environment. Everyone works at their own pace and Georgina is on hand to provide guidance and lots of encouragement, and of course, tea, coffee and biscuits! For people just wanting to have a go or to try something different, there are Experience days too.

“Sharing my knowledge and inspiring others is really important to me,” says Georgina. “I especially like seeing students get an immense sense of achievement as they progress their skills and complete their upholstery projects. I originally took up upholstery as an evening class and realised I had found a pastime that I loved. During the pandemic I decided to take the plunge and start up my own upholstery business. It was crazy and hard work getting everything set up in a matter of weeks, but I have no regrets!”

We aim to make them comfy and stylish again giving them – and often their owners too - a whole new lease of life!

There are so many interesting aspects to upholstery from re-covering furniture, learning traditional skills, modern techniques, rejuvenating old furniture, to making amazing statement pieces using bold new fabrics.

Georgina adds: “These days customers who use our upholstery and recovering services are keen to refresh or upcycle sofas, chairs and headboards that might once have ended up in landfill. We aim to make them comfy and stylish again giving them – and often their owners too – a whole new lease of life!”

Find out more

To find out more about The Upholstery Yard’s classes and services, please visit the website: theupholsteryyard.co.uk or email [email protected]

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