Current Research
British Silversmithing: Understanding the Sector
Independent research commissioned by the Goldsmiths’ Company to establish a data-driven, evidence-based understanding of the UK silversmithing sector.
The research will bring together stakeholders from across the industry to inform future decision-making and shape advocacy and training strategies.
Exhibitions & Symposia
Exhibitions
Silver in the Fast Lane, Goldsmiths’ Company (2024)
Directed major retrospective exhibition on 40 years of Fox Silver including producing and art directing hardcover book, linking the exhibition to elite sport; generated 62k+ Instagram views, 9.5k YouTube plays, national broadcast coverage, and contributions from Rolls Royce and F1 for the book and talks for Masters and Consorts at Livery weekend.
Political Jewellery, Goldsmiths’ Company (2023)
Co-curated exhibition exploring the role of jewellery as a medium of resistance and identity with Dr Mahtab Hanna. Included works by Ai Wei Wei and Boris Bally and coverage on London Live and BBC Persia.
Silver Speaks, V&A (2016-18)
A year-long exhibition and symposium for Contemporary British Silversmiths in 2016/17 at the V&A and Goldsmiths’ Centre. Included 24 national events underpinned by a major PR element and partnerships with other silver retail outlets. Coverage in the Telegraph, Wallpaper*, Evening Standard and Design Week. Supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company and ACE.
Bonhams Decorative Art and Design Sale, London 2017
Stunning and pioneering works in silver specially commissioned for the recent Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition, Silver Speaks: ‘From Idea to Object’ were offered at Bonhams Decorative Art and Design Sale in London on 27 September.
*Bonhams holds the record for a piece of contemporary silver to come to auction: Animus, a work by Kevin Grey in 2017 [link].
Clive Burr Interview at Bonhams, Knightsbridge
Applied Arts Journalist Corinne Julius introduced the Silver Speaks Collection and interviewed Clive Burr
CBS and Bonhams
25 September 2017
Decorative Art and Design Sale, Bonhams, Knightsbridge
27 September 2017
Bonhams in Partnership with CBS
Idea to Object
A Celebration of Silver in Contemporary Life, V&A London, 2016/17
Curated by Corinne Julius
CBS in collaboration with the V&A
Silver Speaks at London Craft Week
V&A London
Curatorial Talk, May 2017
In Partnership with London Craft Week
Silver Speaks at Christmas
Online Selling Exhibition of Hand Crafted Silver Christmas Decorations
Contemporary British Silversmiths
November 2016
Silver Speaks at the London Design Festival
V&A
Curatorial Talk with Corinne Julius
September 2016
In Partnership with London Design Festival and V&A
Silver Speaks at the V&A Shop
A Selling Exhibition of Work from Silver Speaks
June to August 2016
V&A Main Shop – Grand Entrance
Curated by the V&A
For the Nation: Junko Mori
The latest commission for the Silver Trust
March to July 2017
V&A
In Partnership with The Silver Trust
Making It: Trade Symposium
June 2016
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
Contemporary British Silversmiths
Supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company
“Make”
Public Silversmithing Workshops
V&A
May 2016
London Craft Week, supported by Arts Council England
London Design Festival
Live Demonstrations Junko Mori
September 2017
Silver Galleries, V&A
London Design Festival, V&A and the Silver Trust
Contemporary British Silversmiths & Danish Guests at the V&A
In Partnership with London Craft Week, V&A, Danish Silversmiths and Georg Jensen
Supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company
May 2017
Silver Speaks Symposium
Royal College of Art
Cursed by RCA and CBS
Supported by the GC, RCA in partnership with LCW
May 2017
Talk: Silver Speaks at the Holborn Museum
The Making of the Mountain Burn Rosewater Dish by Rauni Higson
January 2017
Silver Speaks at the De Vroomen Silver Festival
Selling Exhibition featuring the work of CBS
November 2016
Belgravia, London
Curated by Leo de Vroomen
Symposium: The Silversmiths’ Toolbox
In Conversation with CBS
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London Design Festival
September 2016
Celebrating Silver, Mappin & Webb (2015)
Exhibition at Mappin & Webb’s Regent Street store featuring Contemporary British Silversmiths for Goldsmiths’ Fair
Cut in Clerkenwell, 2015
Week-long event to promote hand engraving at Craft Central for the Hand Engravers’ Association.
Hallmark Salon, Somerset House (2014)
Co-directed contemporary jewellery and silversmithing selling event, featuring 86 of Britain’s most prominent designer jewellers and silversmiths. Achieved sales of £837k for makers.
A Spoonful of Silver, 2014
Belton House, Lincolnshire (National Trust) 2014 for Contemporary British Silversmiths.
A Christmas of Curiosities, 2014
Advent Calendar for Contemporary British Silversmiths, the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Hammerslået, 2014
Koldinghus Castle, Denmark for Contemporary British Silversmiths who were invited as guests to exhibit alongside the Danish Silversmiths, 2014.
The Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards, 2011-14
Art direction and copy writing for new awards brochure, press releases, promotional film production, web content, speech writing and liaison for HRH Princess Michael of Kent royal visit.
Contemporary Silver: A Selling Exhibition
Christie’s London
First ever online sale and exhibition of contemporary silver, 2013.
Fit For Purpose: V&A, London, 2012
Part of the V&A’s major exhibition, British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age featuring Contemporary British Silversmiths.
Technology for Jewellers and Silversmiths, Goldsmiths’ Hall 2006
Technology ‘fair’ of specialist advanced manufacturing companies. Attracted over 500 members of the trade, the greatest number to attend a trade event at the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Welding Technologies for the Silversmithing & Jewellery Industry, Goldsmiths’ Hall 2005
Seminar and equipment exhibition at the Goldsmiths’ Company in partnership with The Welding Institute (TWI).
CADCAM for Jewellers and Silversmiths, Goldsmiths’ Hall 2003
Industry seminar, The Goldsmiths’ Company.
Lasers and Laser Applications, Goldsmiths’ Hall
Industry seminar, The Goldsmiths’ Company, 2003
Laser Spot Welding Masterclass, Goldsmiths’ Hall
Industry Masterclass with Tom Rucker, The Goldsmiths’ Company, 2003
An Introduction to Rapid Prototyping Technology
Goldsmiths’ Hall
Industry seminar and equipment show, The Goldsmiths’ Company, 2003
The Magic of Platinum, Goldsmiths’ Hall
Goldsmiths’ Company Industry Seminar in partnership with Johnson Matthey & Platinum Guild USA, 2006
Platinum Masterclass with Jurgen Maerz, Goldsmiths’ Hall 2006
A Goldsmiths’ Company Industry masterclass held at the CASS
Research & Publications
Publications
Silver in the Fast Lane: 40 Years of Fox Silver
Hardback Book to accompany Goldsmiths’ Company exhibition in 2024
Publ. Fox Silver Ltd
Introduction by Eric Turner, with contributions by Dr Dora Thornton and Master of the Temple
Art Direction and Editing: Karin Paynter
Serpentine Annual Report 2019-24
Working with CFO, Head of Communications and Finance team to clearly convey Serpentine activities and expenditure across exhibitions, architecture (Pavilion), live programmes and education and civic and digital.
Report 2023-24
Report 2022-23
Report 2021-22
Report 2020-21
South House Silver Workshop Trust, 2020-present
Lead consultant, producing reports and budgets from inception of Silversmithing Graduate Apprentices to present to support advanced professionl silversmithing skills training.
The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council
As committee member and later, Patron, oversaw creative direction of brochure into new graphically designed brochure.
Changing Lives 2017
An overview of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s charitable giving, Brochure 36pp.
New Technology Trends & Innovation for the Silversmithing Industry 2010
Publ. Benchpeg Almanack 2010. Article outlining new technologies and their application within the jewellery sector for International Jewellery London.
The Goldsmiths’ Review
The Goldsmiths’ Review is a special publication produced annually by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, with insightful stories and inspiring people featured and maps out the year ahead.
Perspectives in Silver
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile of Mary Ann Simmons, 2017
Making Stories
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile of Alex Monroe, 2015
Model Silversmiths
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile of Padgham & Putland, 2012
From Design to Delivery
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile of Peter Crump, 2006
Patrick Fuller
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile, 2005
Deakin & Francis
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile, 2004
Richard Cook – Flatware
Goldsmiths’ Review
Profile, 2003
Technical Research
Goldsmiths’ Fair Consumer Trends 2020/1
Research into jewellery and craft market including impact of lockdowns.
Author: Karin Paynter
The Goldsmiths’ Company Technical Journal, Issues 1-13, 2005-2011
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company. Edited by Karin Paynter, Technical Editor: Dr Chris Corti, ISSN 2045- 5313. The Goldsmiths’ Company’s annual technical magazine for the jewellery, silversmithing and allied trades. Editor, illustrator and photographer.
The Jeweller’s Toolkit: a Guide for Manufacturing Publ. Benchpeg.com, 2011
Co-wrote successful tender for benchpeg from Camden Council which resulted in writing The Jewellers’ Toolkit, a manual to provide both newcomers and established designers within the jewellery and silversmithing industry an easy to use guide for how to approach outsourcing their business’ manufacturing requirements.
New Technology Trends & Innovation for the Silversmithing Industry
Publ. Benchpeg Almanack 2010. Article: new technologies and their application for the jewellery sector
A Review of the Care of Contemporary Silver Finishes Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company 2008
Authors: Eleni Bide, Karin Paynter, ISSN: 0140 0541. A practical manual on caring for contemporary finishes for trade and public.
Palladium: An introduction (conversion from US to UK English)
Publ. Johnson Matthey in collaboration with the Goldsmiths’ Company, 2008. Edited by Karin Paynter, Rebecca van Rooijen
An Investigation into the Practical Application of New Sterling Silver Alloys
Publ. Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, 2008. Authors: Mark Grimwade, Karin Paynter, ISSN 0140 0541. A practical review of two of the tarnish resistant alloys commercially available in the UK at the time of writing, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of their application characteristics in a workshop environment.
Rapid Prototyping: The Current ‘State of the Art’ and Future Developments, 2008
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company. Author: Frank Cooper, Technical Manager, JIIC. Edited: Karin Paynter. ISSN1745- 2861
An Introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) for the Jewellery and Silversmithing Industry
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company 2005.
Author: John Robertson. Edited: Karin Paynter.
ISSN1745-2961.
Continuous Casting of Jewellery Alloys
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company, April 2005. Author: Dr Christopher Corti, B.Sc, Ph.D, C.Eng, C.Sci, FIMMM, FCGI. Edited: Karin Paynter.
ISSN 1745-2961.
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding for Silversmiths
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company, April 2005. Author: Hector Miller & The Welding Institute. Edited and illustrated: Karin Paynter.
ISSN 1745- 2961
The White Gold Task Force Paper
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company, 2005. Author: Dr Chris Corti. Edited and illustrated: Karin Paynter.
Laser Spot Welding: Technical guidelines and innovative applications for the jewellery industry
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company in collaboration with University of Central England, 2004.
Authors: Dr Ann Marie Carey, Karin Paynter. ISSN: 0140 0541
Rapid-Prototyping Applications for the Jewellery & Silversmithing Industries
Publ. The Goldsmiths’ Company, April 2004 . Author: Frank Cooper. Edited: Karin Paynter.
ISSN: 0140 0541
Effect of Haptic Feedback and Stereo Graphics in a 3D Target Acquisition Task
Publ. University of Edinburgh, 2002. Authors: Steven A. Wall, Karin Paynter, Ann Marie Shillito, Mark Wright, Silvia Scali, 2002
[Link]
Identifying Multi-Sensory Perceptions in Creative 3D Practice for Development of a Haptic Computing System for Applied Artists
Publ. The Journal of Digital Creativity 2001. Authors: Ann Marie Shillito, Karin Paynter, Steven Wall, Mark Wright
[Link]
Talks & Presentations
Silver in the Fast Lane
Talk to Livery Company Masters at the Goldsmiths’ Company Livery Weekend
July 2024
Skills Training
NAJ Roundtable presentation to Shadow Minister for the Creative Industries and Digital, Chris Bryant
May 2024
A New ERA
Talk to heads of entertainment industry that included Olivia Colman, Mark Kermode and casting directors.
BAFTA, Piccadilly
February 2016
Assemble
Crafts Council Conference, 2012
Advanced Manufacturing panel
Blue Skies and Singing Rings
Royal College of Art, Science Museum, 2004
Career Profile
Crafts’ Council Hothouse Mentoring Scheme, 2013
Career Profile
Kent Institute of Art and Design, 2012
Haptic technology and its implications for jewellery design
Royal College of Art, 2002
Film Production
The Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards Promotional film
Featuring HRH Princess Michael of Kent, 2013
The Theory & Practice of Hand Forging with Richard Cook
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
An Introduction to Diamond Setting with David Basford
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
An Introduction to Rapid Prototyping: from CAD to Casting
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
The Theory & Practice of Hand Raising with Christopher Lawrence
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
An Introduction to Flat Hammering with Christopher Lawrence
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
A Practical Guilde to Hallmarking
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
Polishing and Finishing Silverware with Elliot & Fitzpatrick
Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclass
Awards
Awards
What’s On Stage Award 2020
https://benchpeg.com/news/era5050-wins-an-award
Fellow
Royal Society for Arts and Manufacturing 2022
Honorary Membership
Contemporary British Silversmiths 2021
Bakri Yehia Memorial Prize 2000
Royal College of Art
Best Student Design 1999
Table Manners Exhibition, Goldsmiths’ Hall 1996
Commendation Silversmiths Junior
Goldsmiths’ Crafts Council 1995
Commendation Silversmiths Junior
Goldsmiths’ Craft Council 1994
Commendation
Designer Finished Pieces – Silver/Smallwork 1994
Goldsmiths’ Craft & Council
Precious Metal Bursary Award
The Goldsmiths’ Company 1994
Young Engravers Award
The Bewick Society 1993