“I don’t really pursue craft perfection. Obviously I’m very interested in the craft, but it’s the message behind it. The craft itself, it’s a good servant, but it shouldn’t be the master.”. For Goldsmiths’ Stories, award winning filmmaker Colin Tennant visited Master silversmith Michael Lloyd to learn about the message behind his craft, and his spiritual connection with nature.

“I’m really interested in the objects we keep and pass down, and the way that we narrate our lives through things that we collect.” For Goldsmiths’ Stories, writer Francesca Perry speaks to Glasgow-based silversmith Monica Findlay about her work, inspiration and how she is capturing Scottish history and heritage through her series of silver boxes.

The Goldsmiths’ Centre is an independent charity founded by the Goldsmiths’ Company, and supported by the Goldsmiths’ Foundation. Our largest single direct investment in the future of our trade and craft, it exists to support the jewellery, silversmithing and allied industries through learning and professional development and by providing workshop space and community to dozens of small businesses within our trade.

For Goldsmiths’ Stories, gemmologist and jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy visits this hive of jewellery-making activity on the edge of Hatton Garden, to find out how four contemporary designers and makers balance traditional hand skills and contemporary technology in a world gone digital. Photography by Tex Bishop.

“You can’t learn new skills in hours or days. Bombarding people with technique and instructions does not work. It takes times. Learning a craft and learning it well is a slow process. I have been able to make the pieces that I have over the last 40 years, not because I’m smarter, or cleverer than anyone else, but because great silversmiths spent time giving me a hands-on, practical, education. Through the Trust we're passing on that education to the next generations of silversmiths.”

For Goldsmiths’ Stories, writer Chris Mann talks with silversmith Rod Kelly about the South House Silver Workshop Trust’s mission to transfer knowledge, experience and skills to the next generation of silversmiths from the shores of Shetland.

“So, even though the pieces themselves might not be necessarily kinetic, if they move the light will change so it feels like something comes alive. And that's something that I'm always interested in when I'm making new work: how’s it going to catch the light? What happens if you angle the facets of the building blocks in different ways?” For Goldsmiths’ Stories, journalist and writer Kate Youde speaks to Jo Hayes Ward about 20 years in the jewellery business and how her structural work plays on light and movement to create dazzling pieces that come alive in a flurry of sparkle and shine.

Charlotte De Syllas is a jeweller who has helped redefine the art of stone carving, constantly exploring its beauty and potential and pushing the boundaries of established traditions. The result is a glorious body of work — sculptural and full of colour and technical mastery. For Goldsmiths’ Stories, writer Caroline Palmer sat down with Charlotte to talk about her career and love for colour.

"I can show anyone the basic principles of silver spinning in a short course but to learn the craft takes many years of practise. It is a full body process. The way you spin is dictated by your physical build which is why no two spinners spin in exactly the same way. I am only really starting to master the craft now, after over 40 hours a week of spinning for well over a decade." – Warren Martin. For Goldsmiths’ Stories, journalist and writer Emma Crichton-Miller speaks with silver spinners Stefan Coe, Warren Martin and Stuart Ray, about the uncertain future of their subtle and ancient craft.

“As I’ve gone along, my life has become more complicated… and it’s almost like out of the darkness of those moments, and the darkness of the world around us, it’s this quiet act of rebellion to create work that is joyful and fun and maybe not too serious,” For Goldsmiths’ Stories, journalist and writer Kate Youde speaks with Ella Fearon-Low about embracing what makes you happy, creating joyful art in response to the darkness outside, and delving into the treasure trove of waiting-to-happen moments.

“I think, trusting in oneself is the most difficult part as a young creative, knowing that you have something special to give and it comes by persevering, it comes bit by bit… ” – For Goldsmiths’ Stories, writer Rachel Church talks with Yeena Yoon about her journey from architecture to fine jewellery, exploring and embracing the unknown, and precious pieces that transform before your eyes.

“The most important thing for me, is to recreate the life of woven textiles in the metal. It’s about the feeling of fabric in my work, not just stiff metal weaving, but really replicating the sensation of silk.” – For Goldsmiths’ Stories, writer Kate Matthams talks to Megan Brown about alchemy and transformation, the importance of supporting heritage crafts, and the magical process of weaving cloth from silver, platinum and gold.

‘My life as a Silversmith has been full of challenges but I don’t think I would have changed a thing. I have been to Scotland, France, Switzerland, Holland, Ireland and Canada all through my work in the trade. It has all been so interesting. I think Silversmiths are like Old Soldiers, they just fade away.’ For Goldsmiths’ Stories, writer John Andrew speaks to David Cawte about his journey to becoming a silversmith.

“Over time I’ve tried to develop basically a language, which describes in abstract form movement in nature or the repeat that you see everywhere. There’s something meditative in that”. For Goldsmiths’ Stories, Kate Youde talks with jeweller Sarah Pulvertaft about creating delight with kinetic pieces, the spareness of the cube, and weaving jewellery from silver, gold, and gemstones.