Tusheeta David, a Birmingham based jewellery designer/maker from Birmingham City Council’s Design Space programme is celebrating after winning the ‘Treasure 2009 Designer of the Year’ Award.
Held as part of the recent Coutts London Jewellery Week, Tusheeta beat off fierce competition from seventy of the country’s top contemporary jewellery designers for this prestigious award.
Tusheeta who graduates from the Design Space programme in August 2009, specializes in acrylic pieces in bright vibrant colours, funky shapes and patterns, all designed and made using the latest computer and laser technology.
Set up in 2008 and supported by the City’s Planning and Regeneration Service, Design Space is a unique programme enabling eighteen fledgling jewellery designer/makers access to a shared fully equipped workshop, office space, internet use and administration facilities for a twelve-month period.
The programme is funded by Birmingham City Council and the workshop is based in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. At the end of the twelve-month placements participants become self-employed.
Design Space has proved very popular and has been a catalyst for encouraging designer makers to remain in the Jewellery Quarter, long after they leave the programme.
Councillor Neville Summerfield, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “In winning this award Tusheeta is carrying forward the proud tradition of the Quarter as the UK’s foremost centre for jewellery design and manufacturing. The city’s Design Space programme has a crucial role to play in promoting bright, young and talented designers such as Tusheeta, and in guaranteeing the success and prosperity of the Jewellery Quarter for many generations to come.”
If you are interested in finding out more information about, or joining Design Space, go to http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite/design-space, or call Carol Alderson on (0121) 303 4366.