As the city stages its jewellery festival Brilliantly Birmingham, Consumer Editor Emma McKinney meets one of the top designers taking part.

With a blow torch in one hand and a pair of tweezers in another, I take in a deep breath and summon every ounce of concentration I can muster as I desperately try to solder a tiny piece of silver to another.

“It’s quite simple once you’ve got the knack,” says jewellery designer and maker Kate Smith.

That’s easy for her to say but, despite several attempts to solder two parts of what is supposed to an earring together, both bits lie hopelessly separated on the workbench in front of me. Simple, I am discovering, it is not.

Fortunately, Kate seems to have an endless supply of patience and calmly talks me through the process yet again. I may only be trying to create a piece of jewellery, but my face suggests I am attempting heart bypass surgery.

For Kate, who has run her business Kate Smith Jewellery Design for almost a decade, turning a piece of silver into a stunning piece of jewellery is all in a day’s work – yet many may have no idea just exactly how much effort and skill goes into creating even the simplest looking pair of earrings.

In a bid to reveal the city’s internationally-renowned talent, jewellery festival Brilliantly Birmingham is being staged in the city until January 9.

It aims to celebrate not only historic firms in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, but also to showcase the work of some of the city’s best up-and-coming contemporary designers and makers.

In its 11th year, Brilliantly Birmingham was first set up in 1999 by a small group of jewellers wanting to promote their work.

It has quickly gone from strength to strength, last year attracting more than 130,000 visitors to events held at 15 venues featuring the work of 170 jewellery designers and makers.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a variety of exhibitions, workshops and seminars being held across the city at venues including Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and The Sara Preisler Gallery at Digbeth’s Custard Factory.

Kate’s studio in Vyse Street, which is normally closed to the general public with the exception of customers with pre-arranged appointments, opened its doors last week to those wanting a glimpse at the work that goes into creating jewellery.

“I sell my work through small galleries and independent shops, as well as trade and retail fairs, so it’s quite rare for me to get much interaction with the actual people who buy my designs,” says the 32-year-old, from Stourbridge.

“I think Brilliantly Birmingham is a fantastic festival with so much going on. It’s wonderful that there is an event like this happening to really emphasise the talent of this city, especially in the current economic times when so many of our industries and skills are dying out.”

On Saturday, December 11, The Museum of The Jewellery Quarter will be holding an open day, as well as drop-in workshops for people of all ages from 12pm until 3pm. The museum will also hold half-day workshops for schoolchildren throughout the festival.

Jewellery will also be on display at some of the city’s top stores, including Harvey Nichols in the Mailbox and Azendi in the Pavilions throughout Brilliantly Birmingham.

A major part of the festival will be an exhibition called FLUX, held at the Midland Art Centre (MAC) at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston.

It will feature the work of 30 rising stars in the contemporary jewellery designing and making world, who were hand-picked by a panel of some of the world’s top professionals in the industry.

“FLUX is one of many events happening which gives a chance for people to commission a new piece of work, pick up a unique Christmas gift, or even discover the next big name in jewellery,” says Coun Martin Mullaney, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture at Birmingham City Council, which spearheads Brilliantly Birmingham. “We are proud to be supporting the event as it is testament to the heritage and innovation that lies at the fingertips of the city’s talented designers and producers.”

 For more information about the festival visit www.brilliantlybirmingham.com
 For details about Kate Smith Jewellery Design call 0121 240 8717 or visit www.katesmithjewellery.co.uk