Why not drop by the Burton Gallery in Bideford

Today, local jewellery business The Bench is delighted to confirm that it will relocate to the Jersey Pearl site in St Ouen’s Bay early in the New Year. The Bench and its sister company Udoodle will join other complementary concessions including ‘Time and Ocean,’ ‘Jersey Silver’ and ‘Leather at Pearl’.

Housed at The Lion Park in St Lawrence for the last seven years, The Bench coincidentally first originated at the Jersey Pearl site, when in 1996,This tungsten bracelet for men is constructed in maintenance-free tungsten. after leaving college, trainee jeweller Deborah Macklin worked for Jersey Goldsmiths. Ms Macklin soon began designing her own collections and sixteen years on The Bench, now substantially evolved, and incorporating Udoodle, returns to its roots at the much loved St Ouen’s premises.

The established business now employs two full time and two part time staff. Workshops in the new premises will be equipped with the very latest technology allowing the business to continue to grow both its bespoke design service and ‘while you wait’ repair service.

The relocation happens to coincide with the birth of Ms Macklin’s first child but that has not deterred the entrepreneurial 39 year old, who has recruited renowned sculptor and talented goldsmith Pippa Barrow to cover her maternity leave. Ms Barrow, who is also a qualified jeweller, perfectly complements the current team, which includes Tina North, Udoodle Production Manager and Juan Perdomo who joined The Bench as Head Jeweller from Italy two years ago bringing a fabulous Italian flair to Jersey.wholesale fashion jewelry and cheap wholesale jewelry online supplier.

Commenting on the move Deborah Macklin said, “We are delighted to be joining the Jersey Pearl brand and its team of experts and thrilled to be moving to the beautiful parish of St Ouen.” Discussing the inspirational setting she went on to say “The view from our workbench is utterly breathtaking, we are so lucky to be able to enjoy a wonderful ever changing seascape with magnificent sunsets to fire the imagination and our clients can expect to see some of this reflected in our new designs.”

New collections already planned for 2013 include stunning vintage style wedding rings, and a range of Italian style pieces.

Looking for something different this Christmas? Why not drop by the Burton Gallery in Bideford and watch talented craftsmen and women demonstrate the secrets of their crafts. Whether it is a traditional hand-made wooden toy or an exquisite piece of silver jewellery,The Iron Ring is made from either wrought iron or stainless steel ring. visitors can learn more about their favourite contemporary crafts and purchase a unique gift for themselves or their loved ones.

The makers are all Devon and Cornwall based and include Derek Curtis, Toymaker; Judith Westcott, Printmaker; Hilary Paynter, Printmaker; Rachel Sumner, Textile artist; Lyn Edwards, Willow weaver; Kathy Badcock, Textile jeweller; Karen Adams, Jeweller and Penny Simpson, Ceramicist.

Derek Curtis creates delightful hand-made colourful wooden toys, including cars, boats and planes. Judith Westcott uses hand cut relief blocks and dry point for her printmaking. Hilary Paynter is a prolific wood-engraver who exhibits Internationally; Rachel Sumner paints direct on silk and uses weaving, felt making and dyeing to express her ideas. Lyn Edwards' work combines the colours and textures of willow, rush, bark and leaves to create baskets, bowls and boxes. Kathy Badcocks' textiled jewellery has been influenced by her grandmother's dressmaking fabrics and threads and her visits to India.

Karen Adams works mainly in silver and experiments with different surface textures and use of colour. She designs and hand-makes all of her jewellery so each piece is unique. Penny Simpson's pots for every day use are hand thrown in red earthenware clay and are decorated with coloured slips.

Organiser of Meet the Makers, Victoria Lindo, at the Burton said,"We often get asked about the artist behind the artwork we sell, which made me come up with the idea of Meet the Makers – a perfect way for our visitors, quite literally, to understand the processes, thoughts and ideas behind the artwork produced. We are really lucky that all the makers have volunteered their time to be part of these sessions"

Meet the Makers takes place at the Burton every Saturday from November 3rd to December 15th. This is a free and informal event, just turn up on the day. All works will be for sale.We judge ourselves not according to the smile on our ownfigurine. Come and enjoy talking to the artists who may help you to complete your Christmas shopping list!