In this week’s episode, Ange and David are back together again…but it’s their final show!

• David is feeling into Canadian life and has been busy exploring the sites with a visiting friend
• David gives some insight into his preparations for his new job
• Ange shares some of the jewellery highlights of her year
• Ange finally spills the beans about her ‘big surprise’ - her appearance on BBC one programme ‘Make It At Market’
• Our hosts share their plans for Christmas and the coming new year

David J Lilly

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Angela Benjamin

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Links:

If you’re in the UK and want to catch Ange on Make It At Market -https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001t4rt - its available to view on BBC iplayer and Britbox, and will be available in the USA in the new year.

In this episode, Ange is chatting to classically-trained London-based goldsmith Darren Sherwood. Darren is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and Freeman of the City of London.

In this episode you'll:

• Hear Ange talk to Darren about his journey into jewellery and how he ended up in his current workshop and retail space
• Find out what Darren loves about his workshop
• Hear Darren share his fears and the aspects of jewellery making that he loves
• Hear about some of Darren’s favourite commissions and some of the esteemed jewellery houses he has worked with throughout his career
• Discover Darren's eclectic listening tastes whilst working
• Discover Darren's insight into what inspires his work, get his great advice for up-and-coming jewellers.
• Finally discover Darren's jewellery “superpowers” and if there’s anything he’s not good at.

David J Lilly

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Ange Benjamin

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Darren Sherwood

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Join us next time for more insight into jewellery making and life.

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com

In this concluding episode David chats with Dahna (pronouced Day-nah) Makris of Madame Mak Jewellery. Dahna is based in Melbourne, Australia and is an efusive and bubbly self-taught jeweller who excells at using wax to make her colourful and gem studded pieces of jewellery. This is part two of two.

In this episode you'll:

1. Find out what’s been Dahna's favourite commission to date

2. Discover what Dahna's rainbow rampage was about

3. Hear Dahna discuss her plans for the next five years

4. Find out about other jewellers on Instagram that inspire Dahna

5. Discover what allows Dahna to focus while she's working

6. Receive Dahna's advice for someone who wants to be a jeweller

7. Get Dahna's thoughts on where her jewellery sits between Fine and Contemporary

8. Discover what Dahna's unique skills are that have helped her become successful

9. Finally hear what Dahna's feels that sh'es not very good at and wishes to improve

David J Lilly

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Ange Benjamin

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Dahna Makris

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Join us next time for more insight into Dahna Makris of Madame Mak Jewllery

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com

This episode David chats with Dahna (pronouced Day-nah) Makris of Madame Mak Jewellery. Dahna is based in Melbourne, Australia and is an efusive and bubbly self-taught jeweller who excells at using wax to make her colourful and gem studded pieces of jewellery. This is part one of two.

In this episode you'll:

• Discover how Dahna got started as a jeweller, and what came before 
• Find out why Dahna specialises in wax casting
• Hear how Dahna sets her business up to provide regular income
• Hear Dahna tell us about her latest work
• Finds out what Dahna's greatest fear is to do with her business
• Hear Dahna describe what brings her the most joy when she is in the studio
• Find out what gives Dahna creative inspiration
• Discover what kind of fruit Dahna might be - and why

David J Lilly

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Website

Ange Benjamin

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Website

Dahna Makris

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Website

Join us next time for more insight into Dahna Makris of Madame Mak Jewllery

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com

This episode your hosts have a catch-up on their respective summers and what they’ve been making and doing over the last couple of weeks.

In this epsiode you'll hear:

• David share details of the wild fires that are currently raging in Kelowna, and the Shuswap in Canada - not far from where he is staying.
• That David has been teaching some workshops to adults with learning differences and the two discuss the rewards associated with sharing their skills with others.
• David talk about the challenges of job-hunting in Canada
• That David has also been socializing and networking with Canadian creatives.
• How Ange is gearing up for her local open studios and talks about what she will be showing this year. 
• That Ange attended a private view of a textile artist Donna Lynch at Hauser & Wirth Gallery, London.
• That David will be interviewing Dahna @madame.mak_jewellery over the next two episodes

David J Lilly

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Website

Angela Benjamin

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Our makers-to-follow recommendations this week are: 

Ange's recommendations is textile artist Donna Lynch @studio_ashay

David's recommendation is the jeweller Thierry Vendome @thierry_vendomme

Join us next time for more insight into our creative processes, latest projects and how 2023 is moving along.

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com

Our hosts are reunited after a lengthy separation. David is settling into Canadian life and Ange is recovering from a cold.

In this epsiode you hear:

• David and Ange discuss their personal takes on Russell’s podcast episodes.
• That David has been wax carving and designing some gemstone pieces with some interesting sounding stones.
• David talk about a stained-glass workshop that he’s been running in his local community, including classes for people with physical differences.
• David also share his previous experience of working with diverse client groups.
• How David has been socializing and networking with Canadian creatives.
• Ange share her latest wax carved works and talk about her struggles with clean-up and the perils of soldering mix metals.
• David gives Ange his tips on naming jewellery collections and
• Both of them share their contrasting design and sometimes 'dangerous' design styles.
• The pair chat about their respective creative/jewellery communities and Ange extols the virtues of WhatsApp groups!
• That David has a job interview and Ange has a secret to be revealled sometime in the future!

David J Lilly

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Angela Benjamin

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Our makers-to-follow recommendations this week are: 

Ange's recommendations are Pepe Tools @pepetools_usa and Penny of Amanti Argenti @amanti_argenti

David's recommendation is Dahna, known as Madame Mak @madame.mak_jewellery

Join us next time for more insight into our creative processes, latest projects and how 2023 is moving along.

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com

This is the concluding part of Ange's interview with goldsmith Russell Lownsbrough who she knows from Morley College. Russell is a well established specialist in wax carving for jewellery and miniature sculptures. Furthermore Russell is the author of ‘Wax carving for Jewellers’, a new and essential guide to all budding wax carvers.

In this episode you'll:

• Hear Russell's hints about his favourite commissions and he shows Ange a piece he created to woo a girl - which has serendipitous links to one of Russell’s favourite artists.
• Find out what Russell’s favourite ‘material’ to work with is - it’s a good one.
• Hear Russell share some of his studio listening: from movie soundtracks to playlists (you can even find some on Spotify).
• Also hear some great advice for aspiring jewellers: from coping with self-employment and niche skills to networking.
• Find out Russell’s preference between fine and contemporary jewellery, and why!
• Discover Russell's USP and why it’s made him successful.
• Be pleased to hear that Russell has something he’s not good at
• Hear Ange and Russell get a tad sweary (oops!) about self-promotion.

David J Lilly

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Website

Ange Benjamin

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Website

Russell Lounsborough

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Wax Carving Website

Personal Website

If you’re in the North of the UK in September you can see Russell’s work at Goldsmiths Fair North @goldsmithsnorth

RUSSELL'S INSPIRERS ARE:

Join us next time for more insight into our creative processes, latest projects and how 2023 is moving along.

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com

In this part one of two episodes Ange is chatting to goldsmith Russell Lownsbrough who she knows from Morley College. Russell is a well established specialist in wax carving for jewellery and miniature sculptures. Furthermore Russell is the author of ‘Wax carving for Jewellers’, a new and essential guide to all budding wax carvers.

In this episode you'll:

• Find out how Russell relates his interesting journey into jewellery from silversmithing apprentice through to art school newbie.
• Discover how Russell started his working career..
• Get insight into Russell's workspace, and how he has always had a hand in constructing the studios where he creates. He chats about his need for tidiness, comfortable seating and good lighting.
• Find out who Russell can and cannot talk about through his work with different designers. Russell has to keep quiet about a lot of his work. He’s preparing some of his own work for Goldsmiths North Jewellery Fair in Sheffield, his hometown.
• Hear what motivated Russell to write his popular book on wax carving - from both professional and personal perspectives. He also gives some insight into the actual writing process.
• Discover that Russell does fear something (as a jeweller) and also what brings him the most joy when working.
• Get a list of the varied artistic inspirations Rusell draws from - Lalique to Antonio Canova.

David J Lilly

Instagram

Website

Ange Benjamin

Instagram

Website

Russell Lounsborough

Instagram

Wax Carving Website

Personal Website

If you’re in the North of the UK in September you can see Russell’s work at Goldsmiths Fair North @goldsmithsnorth

RUSSELL'S INSPIRERS ARE:

Join us next time for more insight into our creative processes, latest projects and how 2023 is moving along.

Want to submit a question?

Email your jewellery (or other) questions to: littlegemsonjewellery@gmail.com