The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London has awarded four jewellers and silversmiths a Business Catalyst (Small) Grant of £1,000 to accelerate their businesses to the next phase of growth. The grants, funded by philanthropic giving from The Goldsmiths’ Company members to the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity’s 1327 Fund, will help Rebecca Oldfield, Clio Saskia, Natalia Majewska and Aishleen Lester to access essential specialist knowledge, equipment or marketing tools.
The winning proposals, which were judged by Bettina Boerner, Head of Manufacturing at De Beers Jewellers, Darren Sherwood, jeweller and designer, and Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training at The Goldsmiths’ Centre, demonstrated a strong commitment to successful business growth. Emerging maker Rebecca Oldfield will document her creative process through professional video and photography and offer her clients more complex designs by attending an intensive stone setting techniques course. Clio
Saskia aims to upskill in gouache illustration and photography, and to create bronze sculptures for retail display. This will help to bring the inspiration behind her pieces to life and to connect more deeply with new customers. As a first-time exhibitor at Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair, Natalia Majewska (Bibba London Jewellery) will use her grant to fund participation in shows and maximise brand exposure. Meanwhile, Aishleen Lester (Le Ster Jewellery) will learn the rudiments of stone carving and purchase materials to develop a new body of work.
Chris Oliver explains: “We were really impressed by the response and variety of projects proposed in the first application window for the Business Catalyst (Small) Grants. After deliberation, we chose to support four start-up jewellery and silversmithing businesses that evidently demonstrate their potential and dedication to implement their business plan and achieve commercial success.”
Applications for round two are now open and close on Sunday 21 April at 5pm. Successful applicants must be resident in the UK and have recently completed, or have undertaken a formal mentoring programme, business consultancy or business diagnostic programme, such as (but not exclusive to) the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s new Business Diagnostic and Advice sessions in the past 12-months. To find out more and apply visit: www.goldsmiths-centre.org/apply-for-grants/business-catalyst-small-grants
