Gold, Silver or Bronze – Commonwealth Medal Makers Join Scotland’s Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event
Spring Fling visitors have the chance to see work by seven outstanding Scottish jewellers – and the exciting opportunity to commission their own bespoke designs.
As Scotland’s premier contemporary visual art and craft open studios event, it is an unparalleled opportunity to meet makers with many different skills and interests.
Among them is Michael Pell, an expert jewellery designer and goldsmith who was part of the Glasgow School of Art team which created the medals for last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Michael, whose home and studio are in the charming former Woman’s Guild Hall, at New Abbey, specialises in highly contemporary jewellery with a masculine feel – but not necessarily for men.
One of the great pleasures of his work is the opportunity to create pieces which will be of special importance in someone’s life – perhaps because it marks an important occasion. This can involve either making something entirely new, or refashioning an existing item.
He said: “It can be lovely to take a piece of jewellery, perhaps something that belonged to a relative, and turn it into something which will be worn again and fully enjoyed for many years to come.”
His workshop, in the recently converted 19th-century building, has a river-side setting with views of the nearby medieval Sweetheart Abbey.
A second member of the Commonwealth Games medals team is Shona Guthrie, the creator of evocative and highly wearable jewellery inspired by nature and the surrounding environment.
Then there is Joanne Garner, who is now based in Edinburgh but will be returning to her home village of Brydekirk, where she will have a pop-up exhibition at the old church hall where she used to go to youth club.
Her work, which has also been on show at Spring Fling’s Spring Show exhibition at The Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh, is contemporary, stylish and edgy. It ranges from everyday wear to statement necklaces and wedding jewellery.
There will be a second pop-up jewellery exhibition, courtesy of Beth Watson, at the lovely Buccleuch Mills in Langholm. Beth draws inspiration from historical references and shapes.
She works primarily in precious metals using traditional techniques and modern technology. Her work combines geometric and natural, elegant shapes to create interesting, thoughtfully designed, stylish jewellery and products.
Also in Langholm is Lisa Rothwell-Young whose business, the Mustard Gallery, has been so successful that after just two years it is having to expand into new premises four times larger.
Lisa practices some of the most challenging techniques in goldsmithing, such as Keum Bo, the ancient Korean art of depletion gilding.
She said: “I make jewellery in the traditional way and love what I do. For me it’s about precision, attention to detail, fine textures, coloured gemstones and deceptively simple finishes – many inspired by nature. I enjoy the alchemy, age old techniques, stone setting and ‘construction in miniature.”
Being mentored by Lisa as part of the Spring Fling Young Artist Bursary Mentoring Programme is Terri Campbell, a recent jewellery and silversmithing graduate from Edinburgh, whose work features precious metals and found animal horn. Terri’s studio at A’ The Airts in Sanquhar is the most northerly this year.
The last of the Spring Fling seven is Natalie Vardey, in Castle Douglas, who uses simple shapes to create complex patterns combining frosted silver and the warmth of polished gold. Her work is distinguished by the close attention to detail.
In most cases visitors will be able to see the jewellers at work and find out more about the techniques and materials they use.
There will also be the chance to browse and buy from an enormous range of brooches, necklaces, rings, earrings and other beautiful objects in many different styles. More than that, it’s an opportunity to find someone whose work you really like and commission them to create a unique piece of jewellery especially for you or as a gift for a loved one.
Leah Black, Spring Fling Director, said: “It is incredibly special to have your own piece of jewellery, commissioned from someone who you have seen at work and got to know.
“And for jewellers themselves it is one of the greatest satisfactions, to work with someone and produce a piece which you know will have tremendous personal meaning and value to them for the rest of their lives.”
For details of the studio locations and suggested routes for touring Spring Fling, which takes place from 23-25 May, see the website at www.spring-fling.co.uk.
