Sheffield to be jewel in the crown of national silverware fair

Sheffield has been chosen as the host for a national jewellery and silverware fair - bringing to the city some of the best, most interesting and highest quality work being made in the precious metals industry today.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Goldsmiths North will bring 60 exhibitors to the city in July, with exhibitors coming from as far and wide as Inverness in Scotland and Truro in Cornwall, as well as from Sheffield.

The fair will take place across the weekend of Friday, July 12 to Sunday, July 14 at the Cutler’s Hall in Sheffield city centre, the same weekend that the award-winning Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair returns to the Millennium Gallery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Goldsmiths North director, Brett Payne, said: “We are hoping this will become a fixture in the calendar and a major new thing for the north of England.

Exhibitor Tom Rucker working with platinum with his laser welder.Exhibitor Tom Rucker working with platinum with his laser welder.
Exhibitor Tom Rucker working with platinum with his laser welder.

“We wanted to come to Sheffield because of all its history of fine metalwork and we think that bringing the finest jewellery to the city will really put it on the European and world map.”

One of the Sheffield makers exhibiting at Goldsmiths North, Jennie Gill, said: “It is really exciting that it is coming up to the north of England for the first time and the Cutler’s Hall is such an amazing venue.

“Traditionally in Sheffield we have made things and sent them off somewhere else so it is really lovely to have a showcase for all the makers in the city as well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jennie - who has been making jewellery in Sheffield since she graduated here 25 years ago - says her ‘distinctive’ style involves using rough diamonds and uncut stones as well as repurposing gold and jewels from older pieces.

Exhibitor Bryony Knox in her studio.Exhibitor Bryony Knox in her studio.
Exhibitor Bryony Knox in her studio.

“I am hoping to sell some pieces of course but it’s also about raising awareness and engaging with people,” she said.

“We want to use the event to start conversations that showcase what people are doing.”

On the same weekend as Goldsmiths North, the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair will showcase 75 craft artists at the Millennium Gallery on Arundel Gate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Goldsmiths North will take place at Cutlers' Hall on Church Street from July 12-14 (Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm), entry £5.

Some of Sheffield exhibitor Jennie Gill's jewelry.Some of Sheffield exhibitor Jennie Gill's jewelry.
Some of Sheffield exhibitor Jennie Gill's jewelry.

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair takes place at the Millennium Gallery on Arundel Gate from July 12-14 (Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm), entry £5.

Buying a ticket for either event guarantees entry into the other half price.