Alice Barnes scoops NAJ award

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won this award, especially considering the high level of skill and talent on display at this year’s BCTF. I’ve worked so hard in these first 3 years of business to make collections that combine traditional skills with contemporary and commercial concepts, and it’s really rewarding to receive this kind of recognition.

My collections originate from a playful exercise in which I limited my materials to a small square of silver sheet. By carefully piercing, forming and sometimes combining squares I realised that just as in origami there were endless possibilities, and this was the beginning of my ‘Square Roots’ range. My latest collection ‘Pleated’ continues to be inspired by paper, but to get the sharp folds and weighty quality I wanted to achieve I decided to turn to wax carving and the ancient lost wax process. I carefully hand carve each section front and back to create elegant pieces with a touch of art deco sophistication.” Stated Alice

With over seventy selected jewellers exhibiting at the show judging by Caroline Kindy, a director of Element Jewellery of Hebden Bridge and Lindsey Straughton NAJ Jewellery Industry Promotions Ambassador was so close two highly commented certificates were awarded! 

“A pleasure to be linked with this show that always delivers exciting and unusual product that is commercially viable. Thanks goes to Caroline for helping pick out these worthy winners” added Lindsey Straughton.