Shine 2026: Meet jewellery’s newest stars
Discover the up-and-coming names selected for the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s annual training programme
By Amy Wakeham
Shine is the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s annual four-month training programme for jewellers and silversmiths in their first five years of business. Applicants were invited to apply back in April, and now the latest cohort undertaking the scheme has been announced.
Thirteen designer-makers have been selected for the programme, which is intended to equip new talent in the industry with business skills, confidence and a platform to successfully launch and to promote their new collections. The participants, chosen from an open call by members of the Goldsmiths’ Centre as well as guest judges Rachael Taylor and Darren Sherwood, will study things like photography, video content, visual merchandising and speaking to the press.
"Making exceptional jewellery or silverware is only one part of building a successful creative business,” says Charlotte Dew, Head of Public Programmes at the Goldsmiths' Centre.
“Shine gives emerging makers the practical skills, confidence and visibility they need to launch new collections, connect with customers and build sustainable careers. It is particularly rewarding to see participants grow not only as designers but also as business owners ready to take their work to market."
Shine 2026 will launch on 16 September with an event at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, where collectors, design enthusiasts and members of the public can meet the makers, discover the stories behind their work and purchase directly from some of the UK's most exciting new jewellery and silversmithing newcomers. The collections will then remain on display in a free exhibition and ecommerce showcase until 18 December, with pieces available to buy both at the Goldsmiths' Centre and online.
Meet the Shine 2026 Stars
Amber Cooper
A Nottingham-based jewellery designer and a graduate of Birmingham City University’s Jewellery Design and Related Products course, Amber creates bold, statement jewellery that balances experimental design with everyday wearability. ambercooper-green.com
Annie Higgins
Metalsmith artist Annie uses her craft to create works that explore the idea of metal as a living, fleshy material. She recently graduated from the Bishopsland Educational Trust’s postgraduate programme for emerging silversmiths and jewellers. instagram.com/annie_higs
Beth Chesser
The founder of LEVEE Jewellery, Beth studied jewellery manufacturing and design at the British Academy of Jewellery in Birmingham and London. Her work combines traditional goldmsithing techniques and contemporary technologies, and is produced in small batches in her studio just outside Oxford. bethchesser.com
Ella Bonomi
A Nigerian designer and jeweller based in London, Ella uses wax carving and metal casting to capture organic forms in metal. She studied at Morley College, supported by the De Beers Group Scholarship, and her work has since been recognised with two Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards in 2025 and 2026. She was also selected for the Goldsmiths’ Centre Spotlighting Getting Started exhibition this year. ellabonomijewellery.com
Epona Smith
Epona’s work brings together East and West, ancient and modern, technical skill and Renaissance artistry. She studied the ancient art of Italian push-engraving in Florence, before going on to work as an engraver at Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe. She now focuses on creating original pieces and bespoke commissions from her London studio. eponasmith.com
Helen Dugdale
Helen designs and makes a range of innovative contemporary jewellery, metal bowls and hollow forms from her workshop in Northamptonshire, with a focus on interlocking metals in a variety of ways. She studied jewellery and silversmithing at Birmingham City University, and was selected for the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Spotlighting Getting Started showcase 2026. helendugdale.co.uk
Helena Palmeira
A Brazilian artist and designer based in London, Helena’s practice explores materiality as a carrier of memory. An MA graduate from Central St Martins, she creates sculptural pieces from South American materials with narrative significance such as Amazonian seeds and native woods. helenapalmeira.com
Jade Mellor
After studying 3D Design at Manchester School of Art, Jade started experimenting with creating using resin. Her sculptural pieces evoke the idea of uncovered gems that originate from another world or civilisation. jademellor.com
Liu Yang
A jewellery designer and gemologist, Liu’s work is rooted in her fascination with natural mineral inclusions. She explores innovative stone-setting techniques that challenge and blur the conventional boundaries between metal and gemstones. She was also featured in the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Spotlighting Getting Started showcase 2026. liuyang.info
Mark Eames
Specialising in contemporary silver jewellery, Mark takes inspiration from a range of sources, including science fiction, graphic novels and architecture. He uses a combination of techniques, including wax carving and lost wax casting, to turn his sketches into 3D pieces. markeames.com
Matilde Mozzanega
Matilde’s work explores how jewellery intersects with wellness, healing and self-care. The Milanese designer has a BA in Jewellery Design from Central Saint Martin’s and MFA from the Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence. matildemozzanega.com
Militsa Milenkova
After studying a BA in silversmithing and jewellery at The Glasgow School of Art, Militsa started working as a jeweller, creating pieces that examine the everyday and the overlooked, and questioning how we assign value and meaning to objects by reinterpreting familiar forms, materials and objects. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at Spotlighting Getting Started 2026, and her work is held in private collections. militsamilenkova.com
Rachael Plassard
Rachael takes a maximalist approach to her work by layering up decorative surfaces and combining a mixture of techniques, etching, roller printing, keum boo, gold plating and oxidising. She completed an MA in Jewellery at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, and now works from her studio and shop by the sea in Old Portsmouth. rachaelplassard.com
Tickets to the Shine 2026 launch event will be available via the Goldsmiths’ Centre website from Wednesday 12 August. If you would like to receive an official invitation, email info@goldsmiths-centre.org. Find out more at goldsmiths-centre.org
Main image: Florentine Elegance Wide Cuff in Sterling Silver with Flowers by Epona Smith