Hothouse 2011 participants announced

All participants were chosen for their innovation. Nielsen mixes musical boxes and sound equipment with pieces in her jewellery collection “Sound Ware,” while, Brook integrates mechanical elements into all of his jewellery. Other eclectic pieces included Eleanor Bolton’s giant rope necklaces and Victoria Walker’s flower-inspired jewellery.

Hothouse is one of five initiatives that make up Collective – the Crafts Council’s portfolio of schemes delivered with regional partners that support makers throughout their careers – and offers jewellers and other craftsmen, who are within two years of setting up their business and have demonstrated talent and creative energy, a tailor-made six-month programme of business and creative support. Last year the programme helped two jewellers, Ros Millar and Emma Yeo, take up a studio space.

“I think the programme will make the transition from new graduate to professional practitioner a little easier because of the wealth of support on hand,” Bolton said. “It’s also really inspiring to be part of this group of emerging designers and makers.”

The programme involves group sessions on business skills, market knowledge and creativity, networking events and a peer mentor.

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