BCTF exhibitor, Jim Stringer and his wife Laura, were delighted when their “Bunch Bowl” design was awarded First Place at The Pewter Live Competition 2018. The prize was given in the Open Competition, currently in its 30th year.
The Design Competition is held each year by The Worshipful Company of Pewterers, London, and is a fantastic way to promote modern design and the contemporary use of pewter. It is the third time Laura and Jim have been awarded First Prize in this prestigious International Competition.
The 2018 design brief was inspired by the 30th Anniversary of the Competition and the theme of “Celebration”. Laura and Jim interpreted their entry with designs inspired by the use of flowers and foliage to decorate and adorn at most celebratory events, creating spectacular keepsake bowls around this theme of bouquets and floral arrangements. This is how the title of “Bunch Bowls” was derived.
Commenting on the award, Laura says: “One of our fellow Pewterers pointed out at the awards ceremony, ‘this is your third time to win’, so we thought it was a good time to share our news! And we are indeed delighted to have received this award for our designs again. Within the Pewterers world it is a prestigious award.
“We were just starting out on our chosen career path when this competition was launched 30 years ago and we first heard about it, studying on the Three Dimensional Design degree course (metalwork and jewellery)here in Sheffield. It was only in more recent years that we decided to enter the competition and we couldn’t be more pleased at the result!”
Laura and Jim have used these winning designs to develop a range of decorative pieces for the retail market, which includes hand-hammered bowls adorned with insects, first launched at the British Craft Trade Fair in April. They are now very busy making more of these beautiful bowls in their Meersbrook based workshop for galleries and shops all around the U.K.
For more information and designs visit the Quirky Metals website www.quirkymetals.com
