Gold, as we know it best, is not really a material that gets distributed fairly, or even gets worked on in cooperation. But there is archaeological evidence for spectacular goldwork in stateless societies providing compelling proof that complex technologies could be sustained in the absence of coercive powers. With cooperation being a key to tackling some of our greatest global concerns, and fair distribution of materials such as gold and access to luxurious objects an ethical ambition, this...

When thinking about materials and objects as a maker, it is important to consider the impact these materials and objects have. In a first instance that can involve considering the life cycle of materials, and constructing objects well so they are cared for and passed on rather than discarded. But what does it mean to create objects that get ‘passed on’? These objects could also be referred to as ‘kinship objects’. A thought that crossed my mind upon finding a small book that packs a punch...

In a world full of objects, and as makers of objects, the agency of objects and materials is fascinating. Why do certain objects become valuable to us, and others not? Today sustainable making is a key consideration, and waste poses a real sustainability challenge. Are there opportunities in waste? Can we re-consider waste sensitively, incorporating it into our practices as tools, materials and actors? A maker who has been fascinated with the temporality of materials is Katy Gillam-hull. A...

When recycling silver and gold seems evident and has been around for decades, how can the practice be applied to other materials, what organisations and which individuals are already facilitating or exploring this approach, and what could we as artists, makers and designers change as part of our practices in order to become, and more importantly think like ‘Urban Miners’ re-valuing waste materials, critically reflecting on appropriation and being mindful of the longevity of our own work. In...

Our senses are the filters to our universe. Jewellery, unlike other artforms, is often worn on the body, engaging most of our senses. Some jewellery designers explore the edges of our sensory exploration of the world, questioning what it is we can and cannot see, or feel - or enabling a beauty to be sensed only in certain conditions. A jewellery designer who aims to explore how the multi-sensory experience of wearing and viewing jewellery can be changed with the enhancement of light as an...

When we think about jewellery, we think it generally is worn on the body. Can jewellery or adornment be created for non-human contexts? Jewellery artist and researcher Liesbet Bussche has been challenging scale, materials and perceptions. Her large city objects are clearly inspired by jewellery and aim to adorn the city. In this episode, we discuss the scale of jewellery and what it is like to work multidisciplinary. We discuss her fascination for the city and the archetypical form of...

When we look at the profession of jewellery, we often review pieces of jewellery from the past to gain an insight into the application of techniques, the reasons jewellery pieces were commissioned and worn, and gain insights into trends and changes in style. Museums such as the V&A provide us with an opportunity to look at some of the most interesting pieces of jewellery in European history. To discuss what it is like to trace the stories of these jewellery pieces, I speak to the BAJ...

To mark the 50th Episode of the BAJ Podcast, Sofie is joined by fellow Podcaster, broadcaster, author and editor Carol Woolton. In this episode, Carol as Co-Host, will find out a little more about the Sofie’s research, fascination with jewellery and the ideas behind the BAJ podcast. They will discuss what topics they feel are important for the industry to engage with and what their plans are for both of their podcasts.

When we speak about the digital world, we use words such as the cloud for data storage, and the metaverse for a virtual reality. But as Dr. Patricia Domingues aptly points out with her research and work, the very real physical realities to enable the use of digital tools, requiring increasingly more data, is very much 'real'. A research fellow at the Jewellery-Linking Bodies Department in the Gerrit Rietveld Academy Patricia investigates how artificial intelligence, metaverse worlds and...

In this episode, BAJ's Sofie Boons speaks with one of the voices behind the new BAJ BA Course, Hollie Paxton. We discuss her jewellery career to date, covering the work she does for TV big hits such as Netflix, the BBC and Apple TV, her personal collections, bespoke commissions and her vision for the course.

In this episode, BAJ's Sofie Boons speaks with the co-founders of the 'Artificial Intelligems' collective, Anneleen Swillen and Greg Scheirlinckx to discuss their work and research, the benefits and dangers of AI and the tools currently available and how AI can be used in relation to jewellery. Listen in to find out more about machine learning in a creative context and ponder our increasingly digital future.

In this episode, BAJ's Sofie Boons speaks with two members of the team behind the thought-provoking magazine 'Current Obsession'. With their magazine, and their first ever Jewellery Hub in the centre of Munich during Munich Jewellery Week, the team want to create a platform for jewellers to showcase broadly, discuss and most importantly re-connect following the Covid-19 Pandemic. Sofie speaks to them about their vision for the magazine and 'Current Obsession', the experience of taking centre...

In this episode, Sofie speaks with the curator selected for the Schmuck 2023 showcase in Munich. Having been an artist for over 50 years, and as an educator and curator of various exhibitions, Caroline Broadhead has a finger on the pulse of contemporary jewellery. We will discuss her selection for the exhibition, the key themes currently fascinating and challenging jewellers and her career in the medium and beyond. For more than fifty years, Caroline has run her own practice exploring objects...

Starting the New Year with a bang, we have invited Caroline Jackman, the Head of Craft Business skills at the Crafts Council to discuss her work for the Charity, their annual showcase Collect and the opportunities the council provides makers. We will cover tips and advice on how to get started and promote yourself in the craft world, and gain an insight into the importance of finding help and connecting with others to make progress.Caroline is Head of Craft Business Skills for the Crafts...

With the second series of the BBC's popular jewellery competition 'All That Glitters' only recently crowning its second winner, Sofie catches up with our very own BAJ graduate Tianne Louise-Simmons. They discuss what it was like to take part in the show, and what Tianne has in store for the future, reflecting on the importance of her educational journey for her confidence, and what it was like to get started in the industry. Following in her father's footsteps, Tianne is a jewellery industry...

In this episode, Sofie speaks with Professor Ioannis Michaloudis about his research career investigating the application of the NASA-created material Aerogel in design, his creative work and his collaboration with Boucheron. Prof. Ioannis Michaloudis is a visual artist, researcher and academic, internationally acknowledged as a leader in Art&Science, and the first researcher worldwide to apply the ethereal nanomaterial silica aerogel in visual arts and design. His career began in Paris,...

Following the discussion in the previous episode about the article by Loukia Richards, we meet with Loukia and her partner Christoph Ziegler to discuss their work for SMCK Magazine, SMCK on reel, how to get started with writing and of course, what Loukia aimed to achieve with her article titled 'Why does contemporary jewellery not take off?'. Loukia Richards is a visual artist, curator, and co-publisher of SMCK Magazine. Along with her partner Christoph, she is the curator of SMCK On Reel -...

A special edition episode featuring the plenary speakers of the ACJ 'Beyond Silver' Conference Dr. Jivan Astfalck and Professor Theo Smeets. A discussion about the key themes of the conference, the field and the subject of jewellery.  Dr. Jivan Astfalck is Professor of Jewellery Art and Design at Birmingham City University. Born in Berlin, where she trained as a goldsmith, she has been living in London for more than 30 years. She obtained her MA in the History and Theory of Modern Art at...

A special edition episode recorded during the conference 'Beyond Silver' of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery. A discussion on the theme of the conference, the impact of conferences, the state of play in the field, the major challenges and opportunities and where we go from here, featuring collector Linda Lambert, educator and jeweller Bridie Landon and Chair of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery Terry Hunt. Terry Hunt is the Association for Contemporary Jewellery Chair. He...

A conversation with Anthony wong, a director of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, on the association’s 25th Anniversary events and the benefits and support for members.

A conversation with Jonathan Boyd, a multi-award winning Artist and Jeweller working with a variety of materials, specialising in conceptual and narrative-led jewellery and objects. Jonathan is the Reader in Jewellery as well as the Head of Programme in Jewellery and Metal (Acting) at the Royal College of Art in London. He is an active practitioner and researcher in the areas of Jewellery and Metal. Jonathan's research focuses on exploring the relationships between language and objects. His...

A conversation with the four powerhouses (Lynn Speake, Lucy Spink, Juan Riusech, Spam Glam) behind Precious Collective, a collective with over 300 members from around the world, who organises exhibitions, charitable calls and much more.  ​Precious Collective was formed to celebrate Art Jewellery; showcasing this art form to new audiences. Through building a community, networking and creating a dialogue between members in various countries, Precious Collective supports the sharing of ideas...

A conversation with one of the female founders of the Antwerp based jewellery label Studio Collect about running a label as a team, working with retailers and more. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Hermien, Saskia, Magaly and Hannah decided to join forces and founded Studio Collect in 2013. A shared passion and vision on jewellery design led to their collaboration. Characterised by clean aesthetics and functional form, Studio Collect shapes contemporary...