Glassmakers blown away to be selected for showcase of national skills and crafts

ONE of the country’s leading glassmakers based in Yorkshire will be taking part in a showcase to highlight traditional crafts and skills which are competing against the age of mass production.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Apr 2013, 01:00 BST

Gillies Jones, based at Rosedale in the North York Moors, has been selected for the exhibition in London which will feature some of the UK’s leading craftspeople.

The company is just one of nine firms picked for the Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional event organised by Walpole, a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the British luxury industry.

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The Yorkshire firm was founded by glassblower Stephen Gillies and artist Kate Jones, who said: “We’re delighted to have been selected to take part in such a prestigious programme. Walpole’s membership includes all the top British brands, and it’s great to see our name listed with them.”

Among the other companies taking part is the internationally-renowned wood worker Robin Wood, who is based in Edale in the Peak District.

The exhibition will be held between Thursday and Saturday to coincide with Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art days in France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. These annual exhibitions are dedicated to promoting and passing on the culture of more than 200 skills, many of which are centuries old.

The Walpole organisation was formed in 1990 with the aim of harnessing and sharing 
the collective knowledge, experience and resources of its membership.

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There are now more than 180 members from some of the best-known British brands and cultural and academic institutions including world famous stores Harrods and Selfridges as well as leading designers such as Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo.

The V&A, the Royal Opera House, the London Business School and the National Portrait Gallery are also members of Walpole.

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Related topics:YorkshireLondon