Ever wondered why our jewellery school colours are olive green and teal?
In the February before NJS moved to it current home Alys, who runs the workshop, visited and adored the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. The museum explores the history of the Birmingham jewellery trade but the most wonderful part is the Smith and Pepper Factory that sits along side it. Established in the early 20th century the factory closed in the 1980's and remains a gorgeous window in jewellery making and manufacture. Historically fascinating and also incredibly beautiful - you get the feeling the jewellers who work there have just finished for the day instead of left the benches nearly forty years ago. It is absolutely enchanting and you must pay it a visit if you can.
In the summer of 2019, when we began to imagine what our new jewellery workshop would look like, straight away, we knew where our inspiration would come from. The dark wood, olive green walls and sheer number of tools on display made Smith and Pepper feel industrious, creative and welcoming. All the things we wanted NJS to be.
And the teal? The teal is a nod to our first home at the much missed Focus Gallery. Olive green gives us a connection to the rich history of British jewellery making the teal reminds us of our own beginnings and the history we are building for ourselves.
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