Press Releases

Jewellery is a key part of the retail market in Scotland with some 500 retailers selling jewellery.  Where many sectors of retail have dipped this year, jewellery has held up well and grown.

Gareth Cholerton, a Scottish independent jewellery agent said: “The major trend this year has been the charm bracelet which has helped drive up jewellery sales across the UK. Where many people may have foregone buying new expensive clothes they will accessorise their outfits with new jewellery and accessories.

“Scotland’s Trade Fair is a key date in the calendar for jewellery retailers as many producers will use the Show as a launch pad for their 2010 collections ahead of the large southern English shows. This smaller, more intimate Show enables excellent opportunities for spending time with Scottish retailers.”       

Genna Miller from Nancy Smillie’s Jewellery Studio in Glasgow adds: “We have had a good year in terms of sales. Scotland’s Trade Fair is a key buying opportunity for us as the quality of stands has risen dramatically and we source many good products that may not exhibit at the larger UK shows, due to tighter budgets on travel.” Jamie Stewart from Juniper in Aberdeen cited jewellery as the key to their excellent year of sales in 2009: “Stocking the right jewellery has seen us buck the trend in this recession with our best year yet,” he said.

Many new jewellery and fashion accessory exhibitors will attend the Show, such as Sheena May, Rachel Elliot Glassworks and Silver Experience, complementing existing exhibitors such as Ortak, Sheila Fleet, Tartan Twist and Monlii.

Mark Saunders, Director of Springboard who organises Scotland’s Trade Fair says: “We have seen that jewellery is one of the highest growth areas in gift and fashion retailing with a huge demand for stands from both Scotland and the rest of the UK. There is a wealth of new designs being launched which makes for an exciting Show.”

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Selected Jewellery Exhibitors:

Monlii Silver
Handmade in Cheshire, Monlii silver creates stunning, innovative, silver jewellery. At Scotland’s Trade Fair they plan to launch about 100 new designs in both the ‘value’ range and premium collection.
www.monilisilver.co.uk

Gracie J
With its unusual range of contemporary designer jewellery using ceramic beads dipped in silver, threaded onto the finest quality leather, Gracie J is the ultimate, sophisticated statement jewellery. Beautifully presented they make the perfect gift for any occasion. At Scotland’s Trade Fair they will launch the 2010 Omega range.
www.graciej.co.uk

 

Sheena May
Based in Glasgow, Sheena May is a designer who specialises in 'one off ' digitally printed and constructed accessories. With a passion for pattern and love of colour her collection features unique and vibrant fashion and interior pieces. At Scotland’s Trade Fair Sheena May will be launching a fabulous new range of tactile necklaces.
www.sheenamay.co.uk

Sheila Fleet
Sheila Fleet designs sophisticated silver, enamel, gold, diamond and platinum jewellery collections reflecting times past and present.  She is inspired by Orkney’s rich history, folklore and beautiful landscapes.  Her original designs reflect the natural sea, sky and landscape colours found in her home environment.  All of her jewellery is designed and made in Orkney, Scotland. At Scotland’s Trade Fair she will be showing her new Shorelines collection, inspired by Sheila's life long interest in the natural forms of rocks and pebbles.
www.sheila-fleet.co.uk

Ortak – Based in Orkney, Ortak has grown into one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of gold and silver jewellery. Its long running principles of innovative design, caring craftsmanship and impeccable quality at real value for money make it a must have fashion accessory.
www.ortak.co.uk
  

Tartan Twist
Tartan Twist is an award-winning Scottish company which designs and makes original jewellery, incorporating freshwater pearls, sterling silver and Murano glass. It sells on line and through 100 outlets in Britain and Japan. The company was commissioned to make the official pendant for The Gathering 2009, part of Scotland's Year of Homecoming.  At Scotland’s Trade Fair it will be launching  Lucky Bags - beautiful sterling silver and amethyst purse pendants that contain a secret fortune or prediction, Wedding Belles Eternal Pearls – a new range of pearl and silver red carpet or occasion jewellery and Jewel Hearts Sumptuous Satins Genuine Murano Glass hearts on beautiful satin with matching bracelets and earrings. They have found it an ideal arena to see many top Scottish and national jewellery buyers.
www.tartantwist.com

Rachel Elliott Glassworks
As a very new company, this is the first fair for Rachel Elliott Glassworks from Edinburgh, who creates handmade, unique glass gifts and sculpture using traditional techniques with a contemporary twist. As 2010 is the 400th anniversary of the glass industry in Scotland, Rachel is celebrating this by launching the ‘Liquid Tartan’ ranges of screen printed glass jewellery and vessels. www.rachel-elliott.com

Silver Experience
This new, young company has a unique collection of handmade 925 sterling silver jewellery of the highest quality and craftsmanship. With years of experience in the Mexican jewellery market its founders have created some original and spectacular pieces.
www.silverexperience.co.uk