17 minute read
All About Hallmarking
CRAFT UPDATE
Welcome one and welcome all to our spring Gemporia Craft update. We hope you’re enjoying the season and are brimming with crafting supplies, ready to make the most beautiful jewellery, fabric and knitting items for the months ahead. You know where to find us if you need any inspiration or top-ups for your stash.
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JewelleryMaker Update
As ever, we’ve been busy behind the scenes making your crafting experiences with us even better, and we’ve lots of exciting news to share with you this issue, beginning with the recent move of our JewelleryMaker channel.
After six years in the small but perfectly formed studio just down the road from the main Gemporia building, December 2021 saw the entire JewelleryMaker operation move into a brand new, purpose-built studio and gallery back at Gemporia Towers. Sandwiched neatly between our Gemporia and Gemporia Lifestyle studios, JM’s new home is a much bigger space, allowing for more extensive demonstrations, more items in every show and exciting new segments in the schedule. Full of state-of-the-art broadcast equipment in both the studio and adjacent gallery (the control room for the programme), the move has placed JewelleryMaker in the perfect position to continue growing and innovating for the coming years. We hope you can join us for all the fun.
Sewing Street Update
Make sure you take a special trip down Sewing Street at the beginning of March, as the channel marks being on-air for two whole years! There’s much to celebrate, and Sewing Street will be marking the occasion with a series of special events. To start with, look out for our specially extended 8-hour shows, beginning at 8am and running right through to 4pm. We’ll be packing these extended birthday shows full of fabulous giveaways too, not to mention lots of brand new projects and inspiration for the months ahead. And our fantastic hosts will, of course, be joined by an array of very special guests, bringing you easy to follow and innovative demonstrations packed full of ideas for your projects. Don’t miss the deals - only on Sewing Street this March.
Yarn Lane Update
There’s plenty of activity on Yarn Lane this season, too, with inspiration for springtime projects and easy-to-follow demos by our fabulous designers. Also, the lovely Stuart Hillard is getting ready to launch the most amazing range of brand new yarns in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the channel to be the first to see what Stuart has created and the first to get these must own yarns into your crafting stash.
It’s going to be a packed few months here at Gemporia Craft, and whether you’re an established crafter or a brand new starter, you are very welcome to join us for a wealth of shows across many crafting disciplines. We’re here with all the advice, tools and friendly guests for you to take your hobby to the next level. See page 112 for all the information on where to find us.
Your Magaine
We’d love to know what you’d like to see in the crafting pages of this magazine in future issues. Whether it’s more behind-the-scenes features, step-by-step technique tutorials or design inspiration - indeed, anything at all you’d like to know more about - you can email the magazine team at gemology@gemporia.com.
GEMPORIA CRAFT UPDATE
A catch up with Elena Stephens
It’s always nice to have a good catch up with one of our fabulous presenters. In this issue, we’re chatting with JM host Elena Stephens about her exciting new collection, her ten years so far as part of the Gemporia Partnership, and how she feels about visiting the Tucson Gem Show for the first time.
Hi Elena! How are you, and how has life been treating you?
Hi, I am very well, thank you. Life is wonderful and busy; I juggle work and being a mum of two fabulous girls, Willow and Tiggy, who are five years old and 13 months old, respectively. My husband Tom helps hold the fort too. We are the ultimate team.
For those who may not have met you before, how long have you been at JewelleryMaker, and how did you first get involved with jewellery making?
I have been part of the JewelleryMaker family since 2011. I originally started as a project manager working alongside the designers and management team. My career developed into presenting when Steve and Sarah Bennett discovered my background in the jewellery industry and decided to throw me in at the deep end. Whilst my experience was in already created fine jewellery, I quickly developed the jewellery making bug.
You’ve presented on Gemporia too - have you always been into jewellery, crafting and gemstones?
Yes, I started presenting on Gems TV, as it was known, which was equally wonderful. I remember my first show so vividly. I was literally shaking with nerves! Presenting on live TV was a very different experience from what I was used to.
My passion for jewellery and gemstones started at a very young age. My mum told me a story of a three-year-old Elena losing her engagement ring because I was always looking in her jewellery box. I cannot actually ever remember not loving jewellery, much to my husband’s dismay, I’m sure. In terms of creativity and craft, it’s always been a love of mine. I love to draw and paint, not just on paper either. I’m massively into interior design which I am currently studying from home.
What are your favourite gemstones today, and have they changed over the years?
Years ago, I was all about Diamonds, which of course, I still love. But Gemporia has taught me so much about the wonderful world of coloured stones. These days I adore Tsavorite Garnet, Malachite, Emerald, Ruby; gosh, can anyone actually answer this question? There aren’t many I wouldn’t get excited about.
What are your favourite jewellery making techniques and why?
Regular viewers of JewelleryMaker could answer this in a heartbeat. You can’t beat a good old stretchy bracelet! Super quick, simple to make and perfectly wearable.
You and the JM team have just moved back to our main Gemporia building into a brand new studio. How was the move, and what’s it been like adjusting to the new studio and gallery?
Yes, we have! And we are all so happy to be under the same roof. While it was like saying goodbye to a loyal friend when we moved out of Ivy House, it was definitely a positive move. The new studio is incredible! Modern and cutting edge. We have some of the best technology now, which means camera shots and demonstrations are perfectly sharp. We have space! I get excited by this because our lovely little studio before was somewhat compact. And most importantly, we get to see our colleagues across Gemporia every day.
We’re very excited to hear you’ve launched your own collection - Willow & Tig. Can you tell us about your inspiration and what the collection features?
Hearing ‘Willow & Tig Collection’ still fills me with excitement! Yes, I have had the privilege of launching some of my own designs, which I’m delighted to say were wonderfully received by our viewers. The launch show was emotional and heartfelt, with casual discussions about individual experiences relating to each specific design. My inspiration was pretty much life. The milestones, be they high or low, the experiences, challenges and aspirations we each hold. I was passionate about it not being about me. This collection is about each wearer, and each piece will have a personal and individual meaning to them.
What was your design process for creating Willow & Tig?
Believe it or not, it wasn’t a vision of design. I began with a feeling, an emotion or experience that I had had. For example, the acorn was inspired by becoming a mother. A favourite quote of mine is, ‘From tiny acorns, great oaks grow’. I interpret that as our natural instinct to nurture, but that might be different from others. The Amber tear was representative of grief. Having experienced loss, as sadly we all will, that piece was about learning to continue without that missing person. This is just a couple of designs described, but I think they give a good flavour of the whole collection.
What are the reasons behind the charms that you picked?
As I touched on above, each piece was designed around important emotions or ambitions. It’s not purely sentiment, though. As well as the pieces above, I designed a globe for ambition, a dandelion that represents wishes and dreams, and a pod of peas that symbolises our nearest and dearest. And there are more in the development stages. I’m particularly excited about an Opal octopus piece that is all about overcoming fear. I should also perhaps mention that these aren’t just charms. They have been customised to be both charms and pendants.
What’s the story behind the name?
Of course, I could have gone with a fancy French name or something poetic, but no matter how hard I tried, I kept coming back to Willow & Tig. The collection is named after my beautiful girls, my pride and joy.
What has the reaction been to your collection so far?
I am completely overwhelmed by the reaction! The launch show was a sellout, and following that, I had wonderful feedback and ideas filtered to me from our lovely customers. I was incredibly nervous launching the collection because it’s so very personal, and the reveal really involved me opening up massively on live TV. Of course, I didn’t mind sharing because I knew I was amongst friends.
GEMPORIA CRAFT UPDATE
Will you be adding any more items to the collection soon?
Oh, there are definitely more! I’m so excited about the pieces on the horizon. I’m currently sketching a luxury suite that is hopefully launching during the next JewelleryMaker birthday in May.
At the time of writing, you’re about to head off to the Tucson Gem Show in Arizona. Have you ever been to a show like this before, and how excited are you?
I literally cannot wait for Tucson. I jumped at the chance to go. Ask anyone who dreams of gemstones and jewellery; it’s the ultimate opportunity. I have never been to anything remotely close to the scale of Tucson, so yes, I’m extra excited.
What are you hoping to find at the show? Do you have a dream list of acquisitions, or will you be hunting for the best gems and biggest deals when you’re on the show floor?
I’ve got certain gemstones on my radar. As it’s the American show, I’m definitely going to be looking at local offerings. I’ll be hunting for Sleeping Beauty Turquoise parcels and Kingman Turquoise, too, as we haven’t really had it on JM. I’d love to be able to bring back some Ammolite and Tiffany Opal. Of course, though, if I see a deal too good to pass, I won’t let that opportunity slip.
Will you be shopping for any new tools and techniques?
Not necessarily tools. I feel I’m underqualified in that field, especially surrounded by the talents of our guest designers. But inspiration and techniques, absolutely. It’s an ideal chance to look at Native American designs and different cuts of beads that might be new to our JM portfolio.
What is it about JewelleryMaker that you love so much?
Gosh, where do I start? JewelleryMaker really is unique. Yes, we are a shopping channel, but it’s so much more than that for me. We know our viewers, and we share that same mutual passion. With everything that the world has been through these past two years, I’d like to think we are that constant familiar face. And likewise, that is how the JM team feel about our customers. One big, crazy, creative family.
Who are your on-air team, and what do they do?
I get to work with some of my favourite people every day. Some might say they’re the dream team. Producer Liam is just ace! I actually love the bones of him. Director Adam is one of the gentlest souls you’ll ever meet. Tech Op Adam or ‘Daddy’ Adam (new dad of twins) is just lovely and so funny! Luscious Lucy on floor managing duties, I genuinely would be lost without her perfectly organised brain. And I must mention Wayne, our manager who motivates, inspires and makes us giggle all the time. These genuinely are some of life’s best people.
Which guest designers do you regularly work with?
The beauty of JewelleryMaker is that I get to work with them all! Every show, I’m in awe of the skills and creativity they consistently bring to our screens. To come up with so many new designs and ideas is fantastic. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; if I had one iota of their talent, I’d be happy.
When can we see you on TV?
I present the morning show on JewelleryMaker, which is live from 8am to 1pm. Come and say hi!
What would you say to anyone who had never tried making their own jewellery before, who may be a little apprehensive about taking it up as a hobby?
I’ve been part of JM for ten years, and I’d still class myself as a beginner. Do you know why? Because I create what I wear. I like simple elegance. Jewellery making doesn’t have to be the most complex of techniques. Come and give it a go; I’ll teach you the perfect stretchy bracelet or maybe a little macramé. Above that, I’ll hand you to our designers. JM is one of the most welcoming places. Everyone from staff to viewers are at hand to help and inspire you.
How can we follow you on social media?
You can find me on Facebook, where my page is ‘Elena Stephens Presenter’ or on Instagram at ‘elleloustephens’.
Thanks so much for chatting with us, Elena. Best wishes for the new collection, and we look forward to seeing you on TV very soon.
CARBON NEUTRAL
AT GEMPORIA
by LOUISE KNIGHT
Businesses account for more than 85% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, also known as our ‘carbon footprint’. As a result, corporate action is the main priority in helping to prevent climate change – which is why we are proud to be a carbon neutral business as of November 2021. Here at Gemporia, we are committed to doing our part for the environment and have worked hard to achieve carbon neutral status. By working closely with Carbon Neutral Britain, we have reduced and offset our UK emissions through various projects that will play their part in moving us all towards a more sustainable world.
CARBON NEUTRAL BRITAIN
Carbon Neutral Britain is the UK’s leading carbon offsetting initiative and aids businesses and organisations in reducing their carbon footprint to tackle climate change. To help UK corporations identify their areas of improvement, Carbon Neutral Britain conducts carbon emissions reports which reveal the company’s total carbon footprint and highlight the parts of the business that contribute to their overall emissions. We engaged with Carbon Neutral Britain in July 2021 to calculate our total carbon footprint in order to offset these emissions and become carbon neutral. As a result, Gemporia is now a proud carbon neutral business.
WHAT IS CARBON NEUTRAL?
Carbon neutral refers to the state of net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To achieve carbon neutrality, carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere must be balanced with (or less than) the amount being removed. Or, the levels of CO2 must simply be removed altogether. UK businesses make up a large percentage of our carbon footprint, and as a large corporation ourselves, we at Gemporia have worked to reverse our environmental impact by adopting more sustainable working methods and offsetting our carbon emissions. With the help of Carbon Neutral Britain, we have now achieved carbon neutral status and are channelling our emissions into various global projects that work to preserve the environment.
CARBON NEUTRAL OFFSETTING PROJECTS
These projects are internationally certified and have been selected based on their impact around the world, such as supporting education, employment, clean water, and the local wildlife and ecology. By offsetting our carbon emissions, we are helping to provide hydroelectric power in the Amazon Rainforest and wind farms in the Philippines. We are also aiding reforestation in Costa Rica and woodland management in Yorkshire.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US
At Gemporia, we are incredibly proud to say that our UK operations have achieved this certified carbon neutral status. As we specialise in jewellery and craft products, our carbon emissions report identified that our primary emissions occurred from energy consumption in delivering products from international suppliers. As a result, we made it our mission to tackle this issue and ensure a permanent reduction in our carbon footprint. Therefore, when your order arrives, you will not only receive gemstones that have been sourced in an environmentally friendly manner, but the process of fulfilling your entire order is 100% carbon neutral too.
Fancy trying a new craft that’s all the rage and good for your mind?
Yarn Lane is here to get you started!
Yarn Lane is a TV show dedicated to knitting, crochet and all things yarn. We bring the expert advice and tutorials into your living room with plenty of entertainment and inspirational makes too. With tutorials for all abilities whether you’re a knitting newbie or a crochet pro, our experts guide you step-bystep through a variety of makes and tips on tricky techniques. You can watch any of our demonstrations back on YouTube.
Watch on Freeview 73, Sky 670 or our YouTube channel.
Shop online at www.YarnLane.com or via our UK call centre on 0800 4 700 600. Join our crafting community on social media and catch up on past demos on YouTube.
Learn and be inspired by our expert demos in knitting, crochet and all things yarn.
YarnLaneTV @YarnLaneTV YarnLaneTV
www.YarnLane.com
SPRINGTIME
Homewares Highlights
As we head into 2022, our homewares from Gemporia at Home and Gem Auras by Jainey Bennett continue to grow and mature, with a fast-expanding and vast range of beautiful items for the home. This issue we’re also excited to introduce our new Blossom range of faux flowers, which you will have seen used on the front cover of this issue. Not only are they beautifully made and available in many colours and varieties, but they’re also everlasting and will bring spring vibes into your home every day of the year.
GEMPORIA.COM/EXPLORE/HOMEWARES-SCHEDULE
The Finesse of Faux Floristry
The Blossom collection allows you the freedom to create your own bouquets, centrepieces and baskets in a whole range of colours and styles. We made this beautiful springtime arrangement using magnolia, delphinium, tulip, rose, carnation and eucalyptus items from the collection.
WPFO46.C1 | BGFO42 | GUFO63 | MVFO95 | RFFO37 | RGFO43 IEFO30 | ZYFO17 | LQFO89 | JSFO60.O1 | MTFO42
The Blossom Collection...
A Thank You Gift That Lasts
Dahlia, magnolia, rose, eucalyptus and cherry blossom stems have gone into this gorgeous bouquet that balances striking oranges with delicate pastel pinks and bright whites. The benefit of a faux flower arrangement such as this, especially as a gift, is that it lasts.
NPFO29 | WPFO46.C1 | IRFO30 | MTFO42 | BHFO21 | LQFO89
A Permanent Addition To Your Decor
Wildflower, wild carnation, delphinium and rose stalks go into this beautifully balanced and colourful arrangement. With faux flowers, you can make nature’s beauties a permanent addition to your home decor, without the expense and upkeep of fresh flowers every day or so.
EJFO74 | JSFO60.O1 | MVFO95 | FJFO71 | ZYFO17 | UJFO58
In The Bedroom…...
Our sweet dreams room diffuser is infused with genuine Amethyst gemstones and a delightful lavender fragrance, a scent that has long been thought to aid relaxation and sleep. Place it on the coaster provided, and it will enchant your home with a beautiful scent.
Massage Candle with Gemstone Massage Tool
Make some time for yourself with this gorgeous massage candle set, designed with pure luxury and relaxation in mind. It’s made from natural massage soy wax, fragranced with frangipane and comes with a genuine gemstone massage tool in either Rose Quartz or White Jade.
