Jacobs the Jewellers, Reading’s oldest independent jewellery retailer, has announced the winner of its Emerging Designer’s competition.
The Jewellery Winner was revealed as Ayat Dhayi for a coloured orb brooch, while Caitlin Murphy’s spiral brooch was named as the jewjllery runner-up.
Bishopsland designers took part in the competition presented in store and via www.jacobsthejewellers.com during late July and early August.
Each participant showcased an item of silver as well as a piece of jewellery. During the voting period, visitors to Jacobs’ website or shop voted for their favourite jewellery design as well as their preferred silver object.
The Mayor of Reading also visited mid-way through the competition, chatting with representatives of Bishopsland, and casting his vote. More than 1,200 votes were cast this year, both in person and online.
The competition offers great benefits to the participating designers. As an end point towards their stay at Bishopsland, the competition entrants work for many months creating their works. It gives them an opportunity to make their designs to deadlines, displaying them in a public facing environment, in preparation for their move into hopefully enjoyable and rewarding careers within the industry.
The winners each received £250 of HS Walsh vouchers, the runners up £150 vouchers each, to spend on tools or materials to help establish their careers in the jewellery and silver industry, plus a framed presentation certificate.
Chris Oliver from the Goldsmiths Centre and HS Walsh’s Leo Hadgi-Petrou joined Adam Jacobs and Bishopsland Principal Angela Cork in Jacobs’ Reading shop to present the awards.
The annual competition was made possible for the Bishopsland Educational Trust through the initiative, co-operation and support of Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh.
Adam Jacobs, Partner, Jacobs the Jewellers, said: “Each year the competition goes from strength to strength.
“Our clients love seeing the amazing work on display, and genuinely marvel at the skill in the craft. Thanks to all the gang for their hard work and we wish all the year group ‘good luck’ as they set off in their jewellery and silver careers.”
Angela Cork, Principal, Bishopsland Educational Trust, added: “Yet again in the 9th year of the competition, we continue to be amazed at the number of online and in person votes and remain extremely grateful for everyone’s support.”
