September 21, 2023

Dates for your Diary!

A blue disc centred on a pale background decorated with white ginkgo leaf graphics. The text in the blue disc is in orange and reads 'September 2023, All the updates you need from Artisan Alchemy.'

Dates for your Diary!

With autumn officially on its way, we’re all left wondering where on earth 2023 has gone! The year isn’t over quite yet though and there’s lots of exciting things happening at Artisan Alchemy. Read on for more information about Michele’s new work, special dates for your diaries, and some early end-of-year shopping tips…

Artist's Talk with Marco Guardincerri

A pale background with three square photographs. The first shows a greyscale rendering of a form. The second shows a brown-skinned hand wearing a silver ring against sand. The third is a grey-scale rendering of the ring from the first image modelled on a sketched finger.

We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting Marco Guardincerri on Thursday 12^th October!

Marco is an architect and founder of REA London. Guided by his passion for algorithms and evolutionary biology, Marco created the ‘REA’ algorithm, a particular code that simulates the evolutionary environment of a small living being growing around a finger, interacting with its shape in motion. Marco observes the shapes that come to life and captures the ones he finds most interesting – then turns them into exquisite jewellery!

Marco will be discussing this extraordinary combination of evolutionary theory and artificial intelligence applied as a new kind of jewellery-making on Thursday 12^th October from 5:30pm until 8pm.

Places are limited due to capacity, so book your spot to make sure you don’t miss out!

You can book via our Eventbrite page or you can contact us at the gallery to reserve a place.

Milano Jewellery Week

A pale background with three square images. The first shows a group of gold rings with opals. The second shows Michele White, a white woman with white hair, glasses, and a purple fleece, working at her workbench. The third shows a detailed silver brooch with a gemstone in the centre.

17 – 22 October

Milano Jewelry Week is an annual event entirely dedicated to the best jewellery being made across the globe. Milano Jewelry Week creates moments of exchange and interaction, captivating trade operators and at the same time putting the whole public of curious enthusiasts in contact with the world of jewels. It is a great opportunity to expand your network, exchange knowledge, establish relationships with potential customers, get in touch with new markets and enhance your brand identity.

Last year 750 exhibitors displayed more than 8,000 jewels in 80 different exclusive and evocative locations across the city, with this year expecting even more events and sparkles!

Michele is excited to have been selected for the world-famous Artistar Jewels event in which 200 of the most talented and innovative international artists participate in an exhibition dedicated to body ornaments.

Follow @milanojewelryweek for more information and to see the other incredibly talented jewellers that will be showcasing their work alongside Michele.

New Arrivals

A pale background with three square pictures. The first is a necklace with green beads in a circle and four silver ginkgo leaves hanging down. The second is a pair of silver drop ginkgo leaf earrings with one chalcedony bead. The third shows a section of a necklace with two and a half silver ginkgo leaves hanging from black chalcedony beads.

Michele’s signature ginkgo leaves can be seen all around the gallery, from our logo to our sculpture and of course Michele’s jewellery! Michele has recently paired her delicate silver ginkgo with two beautiful gemstones: jasper and chalcedony.

The jasper necklace features stunningly green rounded and smooth jasper stones and four silver ginkgo leaves hanging. Michele has also made a matching jewellery set highlighting the contrasting beauty of black chalcedony with the polished silver ginkgo. The chalcedony necklace also features four silver ginkgo hanging from the small square chalcedony beads, and the drop earrings each have one chalcedony bead to add a statement to your earrings.

A pale background with two square images. The first shows a wooden rocking chair against a grey background. The second is a close up detail of shadows formed by the back of the chair.

A popular talking point in the gallery since it joined us in July, Mark Ripley’s Bramley rocking chair is a striking combination of aesthetics and ergonomics. The contemporary shaker style rocker is handcrafted in solid ash, cherry and black walnut, creating a beautiful focal point for any room. Ripley’s extensive experience has also resulted in an expertly crafted curvature that makes sitting on the Bramley rocking chair both joyful and comforting.

A pale background with three square pictures. The first shows a multicoloured enamel brooch on a white background. The second is a transparent photograph of the black and silver reverse of the brooch. The third is a close up photograph of the multicoloured face showing individual paintbrush marks.

Yiwen Zhang is a master’s student at Birmingham City University. Her practice engages with contemporary culture and challenges conventional perceptions of art and jewellery. This enamel brooch has been hand painted on a copper element, giving the work a sensational vibrancy and texture. Even more impressive is that the reverse is just as beautiful as the front! Silver and steel cross to create curved lines echoing the form of the piece and the marks on its back, disguising the double pin.

A pale background with three square pictures. Each shows details of a wooden box, showing the burr of the lid and the grain of the box itself.

We have a wide array of excellent boxes in the gallery, and these Lift Off Lid boxes are a wonderful recent addition to our selection. The boxes are made to store smaller items of jewellery such as cufflinks, rings or earrings. To open them, there is a beautifully crafted handle in the centre of the lid. Available in either ash and cherry or oak and sycamore, each box has a delightful oak burr lid that allows the wood’s unique materiality to take centre stage.

You can get up close and personal with these new arrivals and other work by our incredibly talented makers in the gallery.

We have also recently had an overhaul of our website! Have a look for some brand-new work and more of your in-gallery favourites available to browse and order.

It will Soon be the Season...

A pale background with one central rectangular picture. The picture shows a Christmas window display with white cursive font reading 'Tis the Season', with silver tinsel. The picture has a shadow effect.

With less than two months until the famous German Market returns to Birmingham, why not look to Artisan Alchemy if you’re in need of some gift ideas? Here’s a shot of last years’ window display to get those cogs turning! You know, some of our new arrivals would look excellent with a shiny bow…

Our showcase of bespoke jewellery and artistic craftsmanship means you’re guaranteed to find that one-of-a-kind Christmas present that will last for generations! From sparkling jewellery to sophisticated furniture, Artisan Alchemy has lots of wonderful work to choose from. And to make the holidays even better, many of our makers – including Michele! – take commissions if you already have something special in mind.

Please remember to shop early if you’re planning on discussing a commission as bespoke works can take weeks when made-to-order at such high quality with dedicated craftsmanship.

Explore our jewellery and furniture collections online or visit the gallery, open 11am to 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday, where our friendly team will be on hand to assist you.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Here at Artisan Alchemy we are always on the hunt for exciting new makers and pieces to exhibit in the Gallery.

If you are a maker or know someone making bespoke fine furniture, get in touch! We love having new work in the Gallery and meeting talented makers.

As always, if you would like to commission an extra special piece of jewellery or furniture, please do get in touch - email artisans@artisan-alchemy.co.uk or call 0121 233 1186.

With best wishes from Michele and the team at Artisan Alchemy 😊