Birmingham School of Jewellery Winners Showcase

Birmingham School of Jewellery Graduate Showcase

Winners of the Mari Thomas Award 2024

I am immensely proud to still have close ties with the Birmingham School of Jewellery even though I graduated from there way back in 1993. It seems such a long time ago now, and so much has happened in that time with regards working in this wonderful profession. I am lucky enough to have dear friends and colleagues who are linked to the school.

For many years I have been invited back as a visiting lecturer and I am on the panel for their BA (hons) Design for Industry- Visionary Leaders Panel where students present their final project and can win an award in my name which includes mentoring and exhibition opportunities. I was incredibly proud to exhibit and showcase the work of some of these talented individuals in my gallery over the Christmas period and I will continue to stock some of them alongside my guest jewellers.

Mary Beth Hamilton

Perfectly Imperfect

By Mary-Beth Hamilton A 2024 graduate of the BA(hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing - Design for Industry at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery. Mary-Beth enjoys mixing new technology with traditional techniques, and her goal is to create jewellery that is both meaningful and beautiful. After graduating Mary-Beth launched her collection ‘Perfectly Imperfect’. This collection is inspired by Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of highlighting flaws and cracks with gold. Mary-Beth enjoys the hidden details, working on areas that only the wearer needs to know are there. Mary-Beths jewellery mirrors this technique, encouraging the wearer to realise they are perfect just the way they are. Mary-Beth is currently running her own business called Brodie Rose making meaningful and beautiful jewellery.

Materials: Sterling silver and gold plated 9ct

Jessica Healey

Rogue London

By Jessica Healey A 2024 graduate of the BA(hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing - Design for Industry at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery. Jessie is a jewellery maker based on self-expression and crafting pieces that resonate with the spirit of modern women. Rooted in the streets of South London, her designs embody an energy of diverse cultures and artistic influences. Jessie celebrates bold and beautiful designs, catering to free-spirited people who crave creativity, and empowerment. Driven by a passion for inclusivity and female solidarity, Jessie strives to support women globally, one stunning piece at a time.

Her mission is more then creating an accessory; it's about igniting confidence, sparking conversations, and building a community where every woman feels seen and celebrated. With every handcrafted creation, Jessie aims to bring people joy, inspire individuality, and add a touch of sparkle to life. Her jewellery embodies sophistication with a contemporary edge. Jessie is currently running her own business empowering women through female solidarity.

Materials: Sterling silver and coloured sapphires

Amy Cushnaghan

The Sinking Silhouette Of Amsterdam

A 2024 graduate of the HND Jewellery and Silversmithing Program at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery. Amy's work represents the issues faced due to climate change. By representing Amsterdam, a city known for its architecture, Amy knew that it would be easily recognisable and grab people’s attention. Amsterdam is threatened by the rising sea-level caused by climate change. The buildings chosen represent what we are going to lose in the near future because of climate change: history and freedom. The bead setting and the crystal bands represent the effect the rising sea levels will have on the buildings as they become submerged in the near future. Amy has progressed onto the BA(hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing -Design for Industry course at Birmingham city University School of Jewellery to complete a Bachelor degree.

Materials: Sterling silver gold plated 9ct Alexandrite, Topaz, Sapphire Crystal band: Moss Agate, Agate, Jadeite, Quartz

Evé Avis

A Dream is a wish your heart makes

A 2024 graduate of the HND Jewellery and Silversmithing Program at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery. This Riviére set by Evé, is based on the original animated Cinderella movie. Evé took inspiration from multiple aspects of the movie: the colour of the stones to reflect the colour of her dress and shoes, and the marquise shape was a repeated shape throughout the film, specifically the music room wallpaper. Evé used that pattern on the clasp at the back of the necklace. With all these small details in mind, the piece was designed to be worn as a bridal set with a neckline like Cinderella’s ballgown.

Evé has progressed onto the BA(hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing - Design for Industry course at Birmingham city University School of Jewellery to complete a Bachelor degree.

Materials: Sterling silver and Cubic Zirconia

Emily Knight

Messis Aurea

A 2024 graduate of the HND Jewellery and Silversmithing Program at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery.A jeweller from Stratford-Upon-Avon creating unique collections and one-off pieces. Living on her partner’s farm has supplied her with a plethora of inspiration from various grains to livestock and the landscape around her. Emily is also very passionate about gemmology, you will see a lot of stone set elements along with choice gemstones being used to aid the overall design, or in some cases be the sole inspiration for it. This golden harvest inspired piece utilised Computer Aided Design, rapid prototyping, lost wax casting, innovative stone setting, microscope-setting and traditional hand fabrication.Emily has progressed onto the BA(hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing -Design for Industry course at Birmingham city University School of Jewellery to complete a Bachelor degree.

Materials:Sterling silver gold plated 9ctCitrine and Cubic Zirconia

Sahara Aburaneh

Kinetic Skies

A 2024 graduate of the BA(hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing - Design for Industry at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery.

In the Sky kinetic jewellery, Saharas work is driven by the fascination with movement and the transformative power of interactive design. Sahara strives to create pieces that go beyond traditional aesthetics, incorporating mechanical elements that invite the wearer to engage and explore. Each piece is a fusion of art, engineering, and craftsmanship, meticulously designed to captivate the senses and tell a dynamic story. The inspiration comes from the natural world, where movement is intrinsic and ever-present, as well as from the intricate mechanics of horology and the elegance of modern engineering. By blending these influences, I craft jewellery that not only adorns but also intrigues and delights.

Sahara is currently living her dream as a UK Jewellery Designer for a Birmingham based jewellery design and manufacturing company.

Materials: Sterling silver, gemstones, 3D printed nylon