Weston Beamor’s focus at this year’s International Jewellery London will be firmly on bespoke design and on how its many manufacturing services can help retailers and designer makers to provide their customers with the choice of individually designed items that today’s consumers increasingly demand.
It will also, as part of an on-going programme of support for new jewellery talent, be showcasing the work of graduate designer Ieva Mikutaite on its Stand (D60).
To help visitors to IJL to understand better the bespoke manufacturing process, members of the WB team – its director, Naomi Newton-Sherlock, Head of Business Development, Glen Day and Ed Hole, Head of CAD and 3D Printing will be delivering a talk at IJL on Monday 7th September within the Industry Insights Room from 10.00-11.00 concentrating on how computer aided technology and other new technologies have revolutionised jewellery design and production.
“We will explain exactly how the CAD and 3D printing processes works and disclose the doors they have opened in terms of bespoke design, especially for items such as shaped wedding bands. But most importantly we will be giving give details of how these technologies can assist jewellery retailers and designer-makers to broaden the range of services and products they can offer their customers and how they can use them to improve their bottom line,” says Glen Day.
Going for Gold
Another attraction on the WB stand will be a collection of jewellery from Ieva Mikutaite, a recent graduate from Glasgow School of Art and the winner of the Goldsmiths’ Company Prize for Jewellery at this year’s New Designers Exhibition. Mikutaite has long wished to make her jewellery in gold, rather than silver, but the cost of the raw material has prevented her from being able to fulfil her dream. Now thanks to the generosity of Weston Beamor, which is sponsoring the full cost of the metal required, she is able to make a brand new bracelet design in her ‘Articulation Collection’ for display at IJL.
“This is something I have wanted to do for the longest time. Because of the structure and the kinetic nature of my designs, gold is a much more appropriate metal for me to use. Not only is it more durable than silver but it will also make the many rivets I use move more smoothly. I am so excited,” Mikutaite commented.
“These are highly original and extremely technically challenging designs and the WB team is looking forward to working with Ieva not only to help her bring her latest concept to reality but also to show it off to the international jewellery community,” says Glen Day.
The finished bracelet and other pieces in Ieva Mikutaite’s Articulation collection will be available for sale throughout the show.
