The Guildsman Jewellery Gallery, situated in Spencer Street, is a brand new retail destination, dedicated to showcasing and supporting the work of individual designers, makers and craftspeople working in all fields of gold and silversmithing.
The brain child of Sarah Leighton and Mark Hampson, both designer makers themselves, the gallery promises to give the public direct access to the makers and craftspeople who up until now have not had the facilities or opportunity.
Sarah said: “There is some incredible work being produced here, but the general public does have difficulty accessing it.
There are annual jewellery shows and fairs, but they only last a few days or weeks a year. The Guildsman Jewellery Gallery will give a year-round retail environment so that makers and customers can always keep connected.”
The gallery promises to have a wide and varied range of work on display, everything from unique, one of a kind jewellery pieces in precious stones and diamonds to hand-made silverware and object d’art, all made from the finest materials and finished to the highest standards.
Sarah said “The retail experience we can offer the customer is really something quite special. There really has never been a place like this in the Jewellery Quarter before and the one thing we can guarantee the customer is variety!
And should you not find what you are looking for, all of our makers are used to working to commission, so the piece of your dreams is always within your reach.”
The gallery is spread over two floors with consultation areas for designers to meet their customers.
Mark said: “The first thing visitors may notice is they are not confronted by a jeweller behind a counter. We hope we have created a relaxed environment where people will be happy to linger. Our customers will quite often be here to make a significant purchase, either symbolically or financially so it’s important that they feel relaxed and not intimidated.”
Sarah said “We’ve all been working very hard to get things ready and can’t wait to welcome customers through the door.”
Mark said: “The true treasures of the Jewellery Quarter are not diamonds or gold and silver but the people who work and live there; their ingenuity, creativity and skills. They represent a resource of national and international importance and they should be supported in any way we can. We will be showing the work of such established names as Susan Vedadi and Memory Stather and award-winning silversmith Jemma Daniels as well as new and up and coming designers who are keen to establish a reputation.”
Sarah said” This area represents a hot-bed of talent and its reputation stretches all over the globe. You only have to see the number of foreign students who come here annually to study at the jewellery school to realise that the Jewellery Quarter does have something special.”
W: www.guildsman.gallery
