We celebrate turning one with Annie Warburton!
On Thursday 8th February 2024 we hosted our 1st Birthday Party! The evening was extremely well attended and we were honoured that Annie Warburton the new
ANNIE WARBURTON: Here are the highlights
“You had a vision, you had an idea and you have passion. A passion for your art, your craft and your trade. A passion for this historic place, Hatton Garden. An idea to do something new to create a destination. And you’ve had the determination to make it happen”.
“This is a hub for creating opportunities to make, learn and buy, and a commitment to enriching lives through creativity. You are a revered and accomplished jeweller in your own right, but your vision extends way beyond your own practice. To creating opportunities for many many many more people”.
“So in one year, you’ve drawn in 30 members delivered nearly the same number of events, talks and training. 130 designers have had the opportunity to exhibit their work here across 15 showcases. So not too shabby for a start up!”
Good luck for all the years and years to come. Here’s to you!”
Annie Warburton, Clerk and CEO, Goldsmiths Company, speaking at FORGE’s first birthday celebration, February 2024.
AMANDA MANSELL
"Thank you, Annie, for your kind words…
I would also like to take a moment to congratulate you, Annie, on your new position as CEO and Clerk of The Goldsmiths’ Company. Absolutely qualified to do so, as the first woman in nearly 700 years to hold this position, it's a pivotal moment for our industry, and we are honoured to have you here tonight.
Thank you, everyone, for gathering here on our birthday to celebrate FORGE's remarkable one-year journey. It's indeed an honour to stand here and reflect on the incredible 12 months we've had.
In a year marked by economic challenges, we understand the difficulties many in the jewellery industry have faced. However, tonight, I want to focus on the positive and inspiring aspects of our journey and how FORGE is lighting a beacon of hope for small independent businesses during these uncertain times.
When we launched FORGE exactly one year ago today, I could never have anticipated the overwhelming response from our industry. What does this say about FORGE?
It says that FORGE is not just a place; it's a necessity—it is desired, it is needed, it is used, it is agile enough to respond. And it is working!
I began this journey with a mission – to create a warm and welcoming new home for the jewellery industry, a hub that would breathe life into the historic Hatton Garden and become an oasis of creativity, design and craftsmanship, and a place to gather. It would uplift the local community, engage with fellow businesses, and foster a vibrant jewellery community while championing UK design and craftsmanship.
At the core of our mission is our commitment to both business-to-business support and business-to-consumer engagement, bridging the gap between both.
FORGE is not just a place; it's a thriving ecosystem.
Since we were founded, we’ve hosted 12 monthly showcases - in fact this is our 13th one within 12 months, supporting and promoting 130 talented designers, with 37 exhibiting more than once. Our monthly Private Views have not only been about fine wine - and there's been plenty of that! but, obviously more importantly about connecting collectors, discerning buyers, and jewellery enthusiasts with our designers.
Our commitment to learning and skills-sharing has led us to host nine upskilling workshops for the trade and eight workshops introducing the world of jewellery to the public and enthusiasts. We've even had the privilege of guiding individuals in crafting their own engagement rings! We will continue to build on this with a full and exiting year ahead with more workshops, business support programs, and the launch of our monthly MasterMaker Series, starting tomorrow with Sonny Bailey-Aired which sold out within 2 days!
These monthly gatherings are intimate experience with a highly skilled & accomplished designer where just 10 participants will engage in a talk, demonstration, and partake in a hands-on workshop, guided by the MasterMaker and rounded off with a relaxed chat over food & wine.
Our demonstration days during London Craft Week and Clerkenwell Design Week drew more than 100 jewellery enthusiasts through the door keen to learn more skills from 12 practicing designers and makers.
Throughout the year, we've provided a space for the jewellery community to convene – our monthly LINK-UP events, foster idea-sharing and lasting connections for designers and suppliers. And we’ve hosted inspiring in-conversations with incredible industry figures including Ute Decker, Alex Monroe and Solange Azagury-Partridge. And I am thrilled to announce tonight that in March Shaun Leane will be our first Inspire guest of 2024!
One of our most unexpected achievements has been our membership growth. In our first year, we've reached full capacity and beyond! Providing members with access to a fully equipped workshop, with meeting pod and opportunities to permanently showcase their work all under one roof within the Hatton Garden diamond district.
We also have a growing team behind FORGE - We've provided internship placements and freelance positions, and our jewellery making workshops are generating teaching opportunities. And this year we plan to take on our first apprentice who will not only learn valuable making skills but also build a broader understanding of our multifaceted industry that FORGE represents.
What have we learned on this journey so far?
We've learned that FORGE is not only a platform for start-ups but also a valuable space for established designers seeking new places to exhibit their work, igniting inspiration between generations. We’ve recognised that offering a showcase isn't enough, so we've supported new talent through our graduate showcase, providing training, mentorship, and connections - lessons we are carrying forward.
We've also witnessed the incredible power of community, growing from 200 followers on Instagram to a community of over 4,000 in a year, reaching far beyond Hatton Garden connecting with jewellers around the world. We have plans to collaborate with a group of jewellers in Chile and people even recommended FORGE at Venice Jewellery Week!
But community isn’t just about followers… As an industry - now more than ever, during these extraordinary times, we need to come together, and pool our strengths and recourse.
At FORGE we want to build on the Collective Showcases we started in November with SEEKD, Studio Fusion and Just Trade, providing flexible space to promote the talents of jewellery groups and organisations.
We are grow relationships with the UK Ethical Gem Fair, Association of Contemporary Jewellery, The Design Trust, and the Hatton Garden BID. And we want to build on the dialog opened with the National Association of Jewellers, The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council, Bishops Land Educational Trust and more!
For this event alone the strength of support from our industry is overwhelming and heart warming – with sponsorship received from Cooksons Gold, Ino, Misfit Diamonds, Elliot Fitzpatrick, Mastermelt and of course our headline sponsor Benchpeg who is also celebrating its 18th birthday this month. Benchpeg is a valuable resource for our industry, and this synergy between FORGE's 1st birthday and Benchpeg's 18th birthday is inspirational and exemplifies the enduring spirit of our industry. May FORGE continue on an upward trajectory, following in Benchpeg's footsteps. Our exciting future collaborative projects will continue to support new talent and inject hope and a bright future for independent jewellery businesses.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been on this incredible journey with me. From the Goldsmiths’ Company here this evening, to our new neighbours Laser Engraving Services, who worked with me to produce this evenings gifts with just a 2 days notice. And the 18 designers who produced a charm, also with just two days notice - there’s a bit of a theme - to make a unique charm bracelet with the help of Justin - to commemorate this milestone. But also it exemplifies FORGE in one piece of jewellery. Designers, talent our industry coming together to support each other – The industry helping the industry.
So, to all our past and present members, designers, teachers, enthusiasts, investors, you are not just our supporters; you are our FORGE Friends, and a valuable member of our FORGE Family. Your contributions have been instrumental in making FORGE what it is today, and I know that our community will continue to thrive and grow into something truly extraordinary.
Here's to many years ahead!
Cheers!!"
