All-INKlusive - I'm a 2023 INKer: This is what you should know
Welcome once again to All-INKlusive, our weekly look at our wonderful INKubator Programme and all that goes with it. This series aims to answer all the questions you may have and also to try and give you some things you’ve maybe not thought about. Cos we’re pure smart like that, alright?
This week we’re looking at the thoughts of somebody currently on the 2023 INKubator. We want to know what led them here and why they signed up for the Programme. Maybe you want to hear from a voice that has experience of being immersed in the Vanilla Ink world over the past year and who can try to explain how things work around here or what it feels like to spend each day with a bench in VI.
Perhaps you’ve read our previous blog featuring Lorna and the success she’s gone on to have since the 2020 Programme? Check that out here, if you haven’t. But since Lorna’s time, you’ll know that things have changed a little, so it will be good to hear from a jeweller who knows precisely what it’s like to be on the new and improved INKubator! So I will introduce you to this very person! Let’s meet one of our current 2023 In-House INKers, Janet Duignan!
Janet sketching and painting on holiday in Croatia
Hello. Who are you and what is your relationship/involvement with the INKubator?
Hi, I’m Janet Duignan, I’m a goldsmith with a new small jewellery business called JD Designs. I’m a 2023 INKer and based full-time in Vanilla Ink HQ in the East End of Glasgow!
hiya! so, Tell us a little bit about your journey… when did you first get into jewellery making? Did you always want to make jewellery, did you go somewhere to study, what did you start off making?
I’ve always been interested in art, taking things apart and putting them back together. I really enjoyed ceramics in school and pursued it in University when I realised that 3D art was much more my speed. Unfortunately, I left Uni feeling quite disillusioned with the art world, and unsure overall of what I could pursue workwise. I felt like I was wading through life for a while, and having chronic migraines made consistent work quite difficult. I knew I had to do something and wanted a project to work on. I found a night class in silversmithing and jewellery and snapped up the opportunity. My life hasn’t been the same since! I really enjoyed the course and wasn’t too shabby at it either! My amazing teacher [and now friend] Robyn Galway Jewellery offered me some work afterwards, and I continued to learn as much by myself as I could, making tools out of bits from my granda’s ever-growing magpie/junk stockpile and making gifts for all my friends and family. Word of mouth [Belfast is a small city] ended up with me getting some commissions and repairs and the rest is history!
being a 2023 In-House INKer sound exciting! what led you to the Programme?
There aren’t many opportunities for advanced learning in Northern Ireland, but I wanted to grow my skills even more, so I sought out a jewellery school further afield and found the gem that is Vanilla Ink! This time last year was the first time I was made aware of the INKubator Programme after doing the Advanced Stone Setting weekend. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to apply… that this would be the opportunity I had been looking for to really invest in myself and take my business seriously. That involved leaving my cat behindand moving over the Irish Sea from Belfast to Glasgow - but being an INKer is worth it!
we agree! What were your goals going into the Programme? What did you hope to get out of it?
Ultimately I wanted to be a goldsmith full-time. I’ve really enjoyed my work, but felt like I didn’t have the tools to be able to expand my business to the scale that I want.
What’s been the best thing about being an INKer?
It’s so hard to choose one thing, but being a part of a community of makers who are incredibly supportive has truly changed my life. It’s really inspiring when others around me are making as well. It feels like stepping into the studio, or even seeing messages from the INKers chats is a creative-block repellent! It’s a feeling I haven’t had anywhere else.
Janet’s bench here at VI is in a wee corner - perfect for hiding away!
You want to stay on with us as Jeweller in Residence next year- tell us about that
After only being here for just one month, I realised I didn’t want to leave, and that the remaining nine months of the INKubator course was way too short! I still have so much to learn and so much experience and expertise to soak up from everyone around me at Vanilla Ink. Having the opportunity to shadow tutors in their classes and soon having my own class as a result] is something that I would never have had otherwise. I hadn’t considered teaching as something that could be for me, but I’ve not only been empowered to teach, but really love it! I’ve had students excitedly asking if I will be there to help them again in their next class, and I can’t express how happy and excited it made me. It’s been a really unexpected part of my INKer journey and definitely something that I will be doing in any capacity I can in the future.
What drives you to do what you do?
I think the crux is problem-solving. I get an idea, or someone wants something made, and I love figuring out how I can make that happen. This, paired with loving all things art, results in my style of detailed and highly finished work. I just can’t stop until I can solve the problem.
Well, that sounds familiar! If someone were to describe you in one or two words, what would they be and I why
Caring and creative. It’s hard to write this without sounding outrageous, but I would say caring because I raised a baby seagull that had fallen out of its nest [I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, they’re much louder and ungrateful than you think!] and was late to class a couple of months back because I was trying to save a bee. Creative is an easy one, when I’m not working on jewellery, I’m doing any other craft I can get my hands on. I love painting, embroidery, crochet, leatherwork, woodwork and probably some other discipline over the next few months [I’m looking forward to a book-binding class and would love to do stained glass too].
Janet’s seagull child is now living their best life living down in Largs, has a partner, and loves stealing chips from innocent people on the promenade
Apart from being a baby seagull maw, Tell us something else about yourself that would surprise people!
I often have to rope in others to test my jewellery because I don’t have my ears pierced or wear any. Sometimes that’s my 81 year-old granny who always gives glowing but heavily biased reviews.
If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing?
Are you familiar with the bird woman from Home Alone 2? I fear that would probably be me… that seagull baby could have been a bird gateway drug.
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Cat or dog?
Cat - but really, ALL the animals
Meticulous planning or last minute chaos?
Meticulously plan, procrastinate, then last minute chaos
Best film ever?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Favourite song of all time?
At Last - Etta James
Best season?
Autumn- Hallowe’en crafts and the beginning of Christmas crafts
Night out or night in?
Night in
Time travel to the past or the future?
The future isn’t looking appealing. Not too far back that I can’t vote, but definitely the past
Who was your first hero?
My Granny, she taught me the importance of being kind and patient. If anyone said that I was like her, it would be the ultimate compliment.
Favourite place you’ve ever visited?
Bowness, on the banks of Lake Windermere where swans, geese and ducks are running amok and I got to pet a swan for the first time.
How many tattoos do you have?
None
What would be your signature dish that you cook?
With a palette of a 18 month old, it would probably be some kind of cake
Tell me your favourite joke
What kind of sandals does a frog wear? Open toad!
final question! Do you have any tips for anyone thinking about taking part in the INKubator Programme?
DO IT. If you’re looking for practical skills, business skills or community, you’ll find them all here. I cannot recommend it enough.
For more information about the Programme, you can download our INKubator guide. If you want to apply [of course you do], simply fill out the application form. You can also head to our dedicated INKubator Programme page on our website.