The Association for Contemporary Jewellery is devoted to the promotion, representation, understanding and development of contemporary jewellery in the United Kingdom and abroad.
We welcome as members practising jewellers, associated designers and crafts people, educators, students, gallery owners and retailers, museum curators, critics and collectors - indeed, anyone with an interest in contemporary jewellery.
The advantages
Members of ACJ automatically receive our magazine Findings twice a year, receive the monthly e-bulletin with news & opportunities, get discounted entry to Conferences and special events, and have exclusive access to the Members Only section on www.acj.org.uk. We also have a Facebook ACJ community group where you can discuss any ACJ or jewellery related topics, tell people about your exhibitions and ask any questions you might have. There are also purchasing discounts at relevant suppliers, and you will have the opportunity to participate in our respected exhibitions.
The sixth round of our Hardship Fund has now closed. 10 applicants, chosen at random, have been notified. Round 7 is now open for applications. Like the previous round, we will use £500 of the donations from our GoFundMe page to fund 5 more artists; we will match this to help a total of 10 artists.
In attempt to alleviate some of the COVID-19 stress Matthew Burrows has instigated the artist-led initiative #artistsupportpledge. If you haven't seen it already on social media, the concept is simple; you post images of you work that you are willing to sell for up to £200 each (not including shipping). Then every time you reach £1000 in sales you pledge to buy another artist's work for £200.
"This creates a dynamic culture and market, where all can contribute, whatever their level of success. This is a culture dependent on the honesty and generosity of our artistic communities at every level. So make a pledge and post your work with the #artistsupportpledge" - Matthew Burrows https://www.instagram.com/artistsupportpledge/?utm_source=Axisweb+M...
Inclusive Futures from the research team at the Wellcome Collection looks at the world from the perspective of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and asks how we might improve it for everyone.
The new online portal from the Charles Dickens Museums allows you to search a growing database of digitised items from Dickens's letters to his personal collection of art and literature, and the peculiar memorabilia related to his work.
Normally you'll find us in our Library, collecting things that represent our personal experiences of health. It's been hard adjusting to life working from home, but there's never been a more important time to document what we're all going through. So we've moved our monthly Zine Club online, exploring themes during the pandemic creatively.
The next Zine Club is on Wednesday afternoon over on Instagram Live. Get your pens ready and we’ll show you how to make your very own zine – we hope you’ll join us!
The ACJ's Glasshouses exhibition is still in the pipeline so please do continue to get your pieces ready. Deadline for applications: 17th July 2020. Keep an eye on the e-bulletin.
Paid Opportunities For Greater Manchester Creatives: Manchester International Festival are inviting proposals under the following headings: Festival In My House; Get creative; and Remote residencies. Funding from £350 - £1000 per event/activity/residency is available. More details here https://mif.co.uk/creatives_call_out
Craftworx online courses: Craftworx are offering online silver clay jewellery making courses. Their online courses run as private Facebook groups and you receive 12 months unlimited access for your registration fee. More details here. https://www.craftworx.co.uk/
Wendy Ramshaw online exhibition: This May, The Scottish Gallery has created an online tribute to one of the world’s finest contemporary jewellers - Wendy Ramshaw, CBE, RDI (1939-2018). See it here. https://scottish-gallery.co.uk/exhibitions/wendys-world
Museums with online jewellery collections: Although museums are closed during the pandemic, you can view many of their collections online. The Art Jewelry Forum have compiled a list of links to the contemporary jewellery collections of almost two dozen of the top institutions. See the list here. https://artjewelryforum.org/museums-with-online-jewelry-collections
Creative Network daily get together: Since 17 March, Voluntary Arts has been hosting an online get-together each weekday morning from 9:30-10:30am for anyone involved in arts, culture and creativity to come together and discuss the current challenges and opportunities. Join their daily Zoom call and see their list of upcoming special guests here. https://www.voluntaryarts.org/creativenetwork
retailers and the wider craft market sector – please complete if appropriate and share with your networks. We know that decision makers are responding to this data so the more information we gather the stronger our case is.https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MarketImpactCovid
Crafts Council joined forces with artist Matthew Burrows on #artistsupportpledge to broaden the reach of the Pledge to the craft community, to engage more makers in the initiative, and provide support and expertise. More info can be found here – please do encourage your makers to take advantage of the growing response and global engagement: https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/artistsupportpledge
Wednesday, May 13, 2020,for AJF Live with the founders of Athens Jewelry Week: Erato Kouloubi and Niki Stylianou + artists Lucie Houdková and Angelos Konstantakatos. Free, and open to members and non-members alike!
For more information and to register follow this link.
Hallmarking: The Edinburgh, Birmingham and Sheffield Assay Offices are now open (click on the links for more details). Sheffield Assay Office returns to normal operating hours from Monday 11 May. Due to the much higher effects of the pandemic in London, Assay Office London remains closed until at least the 8th May, keep and eye out for an update on their social media or on their website.
The British Hallmarking Council has agreed that, exceptionally during the crisis, silversmiths and jewellers can sell work that has not been hallmarked, provided that they register the sale and present the items for marking when their Assay Office reopens (details on the British Hallmarking Council site here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hallmarking-arrangements-during-... )
Government support: We expect the claim system for the government's Self Employment Income Support Scheme to be available from between the 13 - 18 May. In the meantime, you can now check on the gov.uk website if are eligible. If you are eligible, to make your claim you must have a Government Gateway account (used for filing your tax returns online). If you don't have a Government Gateway account (e.g. if you usually file paper returns) you may need to wait for details to arrive by post so get prepared and start this process now.
Creative Scotland funding: Creative Scotland's Sustaining Creative Development Open Fund aims to enable individuals and organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. Funding available for between £1k and £50k. More details here. https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-fu...
Job - Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Course Leader: The British Academy of Jewellery are looking for an individual with a strong commitment to learning and teaching in the Arts to lead the coordination and delivery of the BAJ Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in London. More details here. http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/arts-job/post/foundation-diploma-in-art-...
Open Call for 'Beauty and Wonder, Jewels' Exhibition: Call for entries for this European touring exhibition, set to tour across Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Portugal in 2021. Deadline 24th October 2020. More details here. https://klimt02.net/events/open-calls/open-call-beauty-and-wonder-j...
Cooksongold: open for orders via their website & Contact Centre and are currently offering free delivery on orders over £25. Their stores in Birmingham & London remain closed for the time being. Updates on service here. https://www.cooksongold.com/home/static.jsp?page=coronavirus-statementCookson Gold
HS Walsh: Are still dispatching orders Monday to Friday. You can place or orders by email, phone or online. Free shipping on web orders over £50. They have over 300 items on special offer at the moment from Leica Microscopes to base metal findings. You can see these here https://www.hswalsh.com/special-offers Phone orders: 01959 543660 mail@hswalsh.com https://www.hswalsh.com/HS Walsh
Betts Metals: have limited capability to process orders and have a temporary minimum order value of £1000 on the website and delivery times are likely to be 2-3 days longer than usual. Check back for updates here: https://www.bettsmetalsales.com/
Bellore Rashbel is closed to visitors to the store but is taking orders online. Phone lines are no longer being manned so all enquiries should be made via email. Customers should allow at least 14 days for orders to be processed and then shipped. https://www.rashbel.co.uk/
Ward Gemstones: Are taking orders online. Customers can also contact them on 020 72534036, email us on orders@aewgems.co.uk or use their new WhatsApp service on +447516500769. They are working with a skeleton staff so orders may not be dispatched on the same day. https://www.wardgemstones.com/
MEMBERS: check your emails for the weekly images of lockdown jewellery #ACJChallenge also showing posts on Facebook and Instagram. AND most importantly for the Call for Entries: ACJ 2020 exhibition glasshouses Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not for every man’s greed
Rebecca Skeels
Cooksongold: remains closed until 27 April. Check for updates on service after the 27th here: https://www.cooksongold.com/home/static.jsp?page=coronavirus-statement
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
So here AUTOR are once again, ready to fill the pages of the 7th edition of Autor magazine – The ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY Issue – and they need your input! https://dautor.ro/en/autor-magazine-no7-call-for-submissions/
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Creative Scotland announces a further £2 million to support the arts during coronavirus pandemic https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/creative-scotland-announce...(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_12_2018_COPY_01)&mc_cid=e8bfd6940c&mc_eid=7ca5d70cc2
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Supporting the craft community at this time https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/supporting-the-craft-comm...(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_12_2018_COPY_01)&mc_cid=e8bfd6940c&mc_eid=7ca5d70cc2
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
SNAG | Road 2 Success Scholarship Application https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScROzfmTL5EMQF9O4tGqrzBx08...
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Museums are competing over who has the creepiest object, from ancient human fingers to bizarre taxidermy https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/museums-c...(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_12_2018_COPY_01)&mc_cid=e8bfd6940c&mc_eid=7ca5d70cc2#Echobox=1587468506
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Join ACJ
We welcome as members practising jewellers, associated designers and crafts people, educators, students, gallery owners and retailers, museum curators, critics and collectors - indeed, anyone with an interest in contemporary jewellery.
The advantages
Members of ACJ automatically receive our magazine Findings twice a year, receive the monthly e-bulletin with news & opportunities, get discounted entry to Conferences and special events, and have exclusive access to the Members Only section on www.acj.org.uk. We also have a Facebook ACJ community group where you can discuss any ACJ or jewellery related topics, tell people about your exhibitions and ask any questions you might have. There are also purchasing discounts at relevant suppliers, and you will have the opportunity to participate in our respected exhibitions.
https://www.acj.org.uk/index.php/join-acj
Apr 25, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
We’ve established the $1M Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund to help visual creators stay on track and achieve their dreams. https://www.adobe.com/uk/about-adobe/creative-residency/community-f...
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
#ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE
In attempt to alleviate some of the COVID-19 stress Matthew Burrows has instigated the artist-led initiative #artistsupportpledge. If you haven't seen it already on social media, the concept is simple; you post images of you work that you are willing to sell for up to £200 each (not including shipping). Then every time you reach £1000 in sales you pledge to buy another artist's work for £200.
"This creates a dynamic culture and market, where all can contribute, whatever their level of success. This is a culture dependent on the honesty and generosity of our artistic communities at every level. So make a pledge and post your work with the #artistsupportpledge" - Matthew Burrows https://www.instagram.com/artistsupportpledge/?utm_source=Axisweb+M...
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/freelands-foundation-emergency-fund/
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Covid-19 impact survey: “a stark reminder of precarity in the arts” https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/covid-19-impact-survey-a-stark-reminder-...
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
LCW 2020 Virtual Preview: 27 April - 3 May 2020 https://www.londoncraftweek.com/virtual?utm_source=London+Craft+Wee...
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
ACJ members: ACJ'S GLASSHOUSES EXHIBITION
The ACJ's Glasshouses exhibition is still in the pipeline so please do continue to get your pieces ready. Deadline for applications: 17th July 2020. Keep an eye on the e-bulletin.
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Paid Opportunities For Greater Manchester Creatives: Manchester International Festival are inviting proposals under the following headings: Festival In My House; Get creative; and Remote residencies. Funding from £350 - £1000 per event/activity/residency is available. More details here https://mif.co.uk/creatives_call_out
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Craftworx online courses: Craftworx are offering online silver clay jewellery making courses. Their online courses run as private Facebook groups and you receive 12 months unlimited access for your registration fee. More details here. https://www.craftworx.co.uk/
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Wendy Ramshaw online exhibition: This May, The Scottish Gallery has created an online tribute to one of the world’s finest contemporary jewellers - Wendy Ramshaw, CBE, RDI (1939-2018). See it here. https://scottish-gallery.co.uk/exhibitions/wendys-world
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Museums with online jewellery collections: Although museums are closed during the pandemic, you can view many of their collections online. The Art Jewelry Forum have compiled a list of links to the contemporary jewellery collections of almost two dozen of the top institutions. See the list here. https://artjewelryforum.org/museums-with-online-jewelry-collections
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Creative Network daily get together: Since 17 March, Voluntary Arts has been hosting an online get-together each weekday morning from 9:30-10:30am for anyone involved in arts, culture and creativity to come together and discuss the current challenges and opportunities. Join their daily Zoom call and see their list of upcoming special guests here. https://www.voluntaryarts.org/creativenetwork
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
The fourth LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize postponed until Spring 2021. https://craftprize.loewe.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-LOE_CP-Site/...
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Virtual Wisley Spring 2020 https://www.craftinfocus.com/next-fair/virtual-wisley
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
retailers and the wider craft market sector – please complete if appropriate and share with your networks. We know that decision makers are responding to this data so the more information we gather the stronger our case is. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MarketImpactCovid
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Crafts Council joined forces with artist Matthew Burrows on #artistsupportpledge to broaden the reach of the Pledge to the craft community, to engage more makers in the initiative, and provide support and expertise. More info can be found here – please do encourage your makers to take advantage of the growing response and global engagement: https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/artistsupportpledge
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Crafts Council - Supporting the craft community at this time https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/supporting-the-craft-comm...
May 2, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
A good yarn: UK coronavirus lockdown spawns arts and craft renaissance
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/04/a-good-yarn-uk...(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_12_2018_COPY_01)&mc_cid=5d7ae1aa68&mc_eid=7ca5d70cc2
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
https://getcreativeuk.com/?utm_source=Permanent+-+Comms&utm_cam...(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_12_2018_COPY_01)&mc_cid=5d7ae1aa68&mc_eid=7ca5d70cc2
What is #GetCreativeAtHome?
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Wednesday, May 13, 2020,for AJF Live with the founders of Athens Jewelry Week: Erato Kouloubi and Niki Stylianou + artists Lucie Houdková and Angelos Konstantakatos. Free, and open to members and non-members alike!
For more information and to register follow this link.
https://artjewelryforum.org/organizations/ajf-events-and-trips
What time?
9 a.m. PST: San Francisco
10 a.m. MST: Denver
11 a.m. CST: San Antonio, Mexico City
12 p.m. EST: Toronto, NYC, Santiago
1 p.m.: Buenos Aires
5 p.m.: London
6 p.m.: Oslo, Paris, Capetown, Brussels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Hallmarking: The Edinburgh, Birmingham and Sheffield Assay Offices are now open (click on the links for more details). Sheffield Assay Office returns to normal operating hours from Monday 11 May. Due to the much higher effects of the pandemic in London, Assay Office London remains closed until at least the 8th May, keep and eye out for an update on their social media or on their website.
The British Hallmarking Council has agreed that, exceptionally during the crisis, silversmiths and jewellers can sell work that has not been hallmarked, provided that they register the sale and present the items for marking when their Assay Office reopens (details on the British Hallmarking Council site here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hallmarking-arrangements-during-... )
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Creative Scotland funding: Creative Scotland's Sustaining Creative Development Open Fund aims to enable individuals and organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. Funding available for between £1k and £50k. More details here. https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-fu...
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Job - Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Course Leader: The British Academy of Jewellery are looking for an individual with a strong commitment to learning and teaching in the Arts to lead the coordination and delivery of the BAJ Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in London. More details here. http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/arts-job/post/foundation-diploma-in-art-...
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Open Call for 'Beauty and Wonder, Jewels' Exhibition: Call for entries for this European touring exhibition, set to tour across Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Portugal in 2021. Deadline 24th October 2020. More details here. https://klimt02.net/events/open-calls/open-call-beauty-and-wonder-j...
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
Ward Gemstones: Are taking orders online. Customers can also contact them on 020 72534036, email us on orders@aewgems.co.uk or use their new WhatsApp service on +447516500769. They are working with a skeleton staff so orders may not be dispatched on the same day. https://www.wardgemstones.com/
May 8, 2020
Rebecca Skeels
MEMBERS: check your emails for the weekly images of lockdown jewellery #ACJChallenge also showing posts on Facebook and Instagram. AND most importantly for the Call for Entries: ACJ 2020 exhibition glasshouses Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not for every man’s greed
- Ghandi
to become a member - https://www.acj.org.uk/index.php/join-acj
May 8, 2020