Bishopsland Educational Trust

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Bishopsland Educational Trust

Bishopsland is a post-graduate training workshops for silversmiths and jewellers. It was founded in 1993.

Members spend one year living and working at the workshops before setting up on their own in pursuit of a professional career. Over 200 graduates have passed through Bishopsland since it began in 1993. Most have established their own business, either designing and making in their own workshop, or managing their own gallery or designing for the retail sector. Forty have gone on to take an MA degree

, thirty one at the RCA. The Bishopsland Contemporary Apprenticeship acts as a bridge between college and the realities of the commercial world. Bishopsland enables craftsmen to polish their skills, to make contacts and to understand the principles of marketing. Bishopsland works on a tutorial system, teaching specialist skills to the highest standard. It lays great emphasis on marketing and professional practice. Both current and past members take part in important national exhibitions, including ‘Contemporary Silver: The Bishopsland Fellowship’ at the V&A, London and the Dovecot Gallery, Edinburgh as well as regularly taking a stand at Collect at the Saatchi Gallery, London. Networking and introductions to galleries are an important part of the course as are crucial commercial skills such as pricing, display, book-keeping and presentation.

14/05/2026

We're proud to share Cynthia's creative journey since leaving Bishopsland in 2025. To expand her practice, meet new people and experience living in sunnier climes, she undertook a three-month residency in Athens with the Jewellery Artist in Residence Program (JAIR) — an international initiative run by the

The program supports contemporary jewellery artists through research, experimentation, and creative exchange, offering access to the museum’s workshops and historical collections while encouraging new perspectives in studio jewellery.

Through the support of the JAIR Program, Cynthia expanded her portfolio and pushed her experimental designs further, building on the skills developed during her time at Bishopsland.

“I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Following my work at Bishopsland, I’ve been able to develop my skills and motifs further, while also learning entirely new techniques. One of the highlights has been collaborating with, and learning from, fellow residents. The JAIR Program has given me real clarity in how I want to approach my work and practice, and has led to many personal discoveries. And to top it all off, living in Athens has been an unforgettable experience.”

If you're an early career Maker and want to extend your skills and network just like Cynthia has done, we are recruiting the last remaining places on our 2026/27 programme - details and to apply in the bio and on our website.

Congratulations Cynthia, we're looking forward to seeing your new work and supporting the next steps in your career.

06/05/2026

We’re excited to showcase silversmith Annie Higgins at Cutlers' Hall on 12 May, presenting work developed during her residency at Bishopsland Educational Trust.

Thanks to generous bursaries from South Square Trust and The Benevolent Society, Annie has been able to spend a year to push her practice in new directions—embracing ambitious, large-scale object making and working in silver for the first time.

“Working in such a supportive and well-connected environment has been vital,” Annie says. “It’s helped me apply my hammer skills to new processes like raising and chasing, and deepen my understanding of the wider silversmithing industry. The bursaries have given me invaluable time to fully focus—allowing me to quickly build confidence and technical precision.”

Her dedication is already being recognised, including receiving a GCDC Junior Award.

Join us on 12 May to meet Annie and experience her work in person—free tickets via the link in bio. She’ll also be demonstrating at the with during .

https://bishopsland.org.uk/events/cutlers-hall/

28/04/2026

Applications are now open for our 10-month residential Silversmithing & Jewellery Programme starting September 2026. If you are completing your degree or apprenticeship, or are an early career maker, we offer a launchpad for career success.

Join a unique community of makers and take your skills, ideas, and practice to the next level.

What’s included:
• Immersive masterclasses to extend your making skills
• 1:1 tutoring to develop your design voice and technical ability led by our Principal and master silversmith
• 7-day-a-week workshop access with your own dedicated bench
• Bursaries available for fees, tools, and materials
• Selling opportunities, exhibitions, and online shop exposure
• Exclusive private handling events
• Accommodation
• A supportive, creative community living and working together

Find out more via the link in our bio or get in touch: [email protected]

Photography credit : Peter Flude Photography

27/04/2026

Bishopsland is proud to support the National Saturday Club and the National Trust’s Heritage & Rural Skills Centre.

The National Saturday Club exists to inspire and engage 13–16-year-olds—encouraging them to learn new skills, discover their talents, build friendships, and explore rewarding career paths. These aims closely reflect Bishopsland’s own values.

This year, we have contributed to the programme by delivering five weeks of silversmithing sessions. Responding to the Heritage & Rural Skills Centre’s theme of protecting, rejuvenating, and celebrating hedgerows, sixteen young participants have worked in copper and silver to design, cut, pierce, and file intricate representations of hedgerow flora and fauna. With one session remaining, the group will bring their pieces to life through enamelling—an exciting finale we are very much looking forward to.

Participants also have the opportunity to experience a wide range of other heritage crafts, including ceramics, pargetting, decorative wood carving, blacksmithing and more, taught by skilled craftspeople based at the National Trust’s Coleshill Estate.

It has been a pleasure to share our passion for silversmithing and to see the confidence and creativity of these young people flourish. For many—particularly those who are home educated—the Club provides a welcoming, low-pressure environment in which to connect with others, make friends, and engage in guided, hands-on craft. We are so grateful to for making us so welcome.

16/04/2026

Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming twelve talented HND and degree students into our workshops for a special two-day silversmithing taster session.

Led by our Principal ANGELA CORK, with brilliant support from Jamie watson and DODI WORRALL, these small, hands-on sessions were all about sharing our love of silversmithing, while helping participants grow their skills, confidence, and creative networks.

Thanks to the generous support of The Goldsmiths’ Foundation (we’re so grateful 💛), each maker received silver bullion to bring their ideas to life—press-forming a spoon bowl, forging a handle, soldering the pieces together, and carefully finishing each piece to beautifully high standards.

Alongside time at the bench, participants also heard inspiring talks from and Alice Fry | Contemporary Niobium Jewellery and Silverware, sharing how these successful Makers have forged their careers. Chris Oliver shared how the Goldsmiths’ Centre supports craftspeople, while our Trustee Glenn offered valuable a insight into commissioning and collecting. Practical handouts on funding opportunities and career pathways helped round out the experience.

By the end of the two days, everyone left with their finished silver spoons, new skills, new friendships, and a connection to the Bishopsland & Goldsmiths' Company networks. Plus a gallery of stunning photographs by Sophie Mutevelian to illustrate their social media presence, digital portfolios and academic submissions.

It was a joy to watch each piece take shape, and to see creativity and craftsmanship flourish.

If you’re graduating in 2026 and would like to join the Bishopsland programme, we’d love to hear from you—get in touch to find out more.

Photography credit

The Goldsmiths' Centre

jewellerybyilr
Gayna Alexander

💎DiAS Jewellery💎
Ella Robinson
Gem
lou.scott

BespokebyBrittain

30/03/2026

A truly special moment for a silversmithing family

Huge congratulations to Bishopsland Fellow Caitlin Murphy, alongside her mum Cara and grandparents Deidre & Michael McCrory, on the upcoming opening of their Silver Generations exhibition.

Three generations of silversmiths, united by craft, each with their own distinctive style.

📍 Silver Generations
🗓 18 April – 23 May
📌 Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

If you’re nearby, this is one not to miss.

NorthernIrelandArts JewelleryDesign Metalwork ArtExhibition

26/03/2026

This week the cohort stepped beyond our workshop, spending time in the inspiring studios of , and . From Suffolk to Brighton to Wales, it’s a brilliant mix of learning, making and sharing ideas. And the British weather has been at its best.

We’ll be posting more about these visits soon—but for now, here’s a glimpse behind the scenes (and a reminder that Bishopsland is fun too!).

19/03/2026

A full day immersed in Keum Boo

On Monday, we were joined by silversmith, Keum Boo expert and Bishopsland Fellow, , for an intensive day exploring the Korean technique of fusing gold foil to silver.

Through focused, hands-on making, the cohort experimented with texturing techniques and discovered first-hand how metals fuse and connect through heat.

As always with Jess, her generosity, knowledge, enthusiasm and artistry shone throughout the day. She also spoke eloquently about her professional journey, offering both inspiration and reassurance that others can follow a similar path. Alongside her collaborative work with , the cohort gained valuable insights across multiple areas of practice.

We are incredibly grateful to , whose sponsorship of the 2025 GCDC College Trophy win enabled us to provide each participant with 0.5g of gold to keep and continue practicing with.

Thank you Jess, Angela, Betts Metals and very well done to our cohort for their dedicated hard work and openness to new techniques. Photos with thanks to cohort members and .bousfield_silversmithing .

crafteducation makersgonnamake metalwork goldandsilver craftsmanship

18/03/2026

We’ve loved leading a series of silversmithing sessions with our friends as part of the National Saturday Club () programme — a brilliant charity that helps 13–16 year olds discover new skills, creativity, friendships and possible future pathways.

Over the past weeks, sixteen fantastic young makers have been learning how to trace designs onto copper and silver, pierce, shape, file, and create their own components. Led by .ina and supported by - The ideas of the young makers are now taking shape in metal as beautiful hedgerow flora and fauna.

Next Saturday is our final metalwork session, when the group will add enamel to complete their pieces. Later in the year the completed project will be displayed at Somerset House.

We’re so proud of their creativity and can’t wait to see the finished hedgerow which showcases the beautiful countryside of and many other crafts based at the Heritage & Rural Skills Centre. We must also shout out the brilliant National Trust staff and volunteers who work so hard to create a safe and enjoyable environment that has teenagers turning up week after week.

16/03/2026

Our Online Shop is Back — and Full of Exceptional Craft

We’re delighted to announce the relaunch of the Bishopsland Online Shop, showcasing beautifully crafted pieces by our talented emerging silversmiths and Fellows.

Every piece tells a story of skill, experimentation, and dedication — created by Makers at a pivotal stage in their careers as they move from training into professional practice. By purchasing from the shop, you’re not only acquiring a unique piece of contemporary silver, you’re also directly supporting the next generation of silversmiths as they build sustainable creative careers.

The refreshed shop reflects the diversity, innovation, and craftsmanship that defines the Bishopsland community.

✨ Discover one-of-a-kind pieces
⚒️ Support emerging makers
🛍️ Bring contemporary silver into your life

Explore the shop now via the link in our bio. Featured items: Ella Hamilton Engraved Embroidery Hoops; Heather Larson Oxford Pendant; Jessica Awari-Tefe It Sings Among the Branches Dish

buyhandmade supportmakers contemporarycraft

Address

Buscot
Faringdon
SN78BY

Website

http://www.bishopsland.org.uk/

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