meet our resident jewellers
The Shared Studio
Our communal studio space is light, bright and airy! We can comfortably seat ten jewellers with plenty of room to store your own tools. We actively encourage our Residents to decorate and personalise their space!
Let’s find out who they are…
LYNDSAY HAMILTON FAIRLEY
Lyndsay first discovered jewellery making at Falmouth University on an Art Foundation before making the move to Scotland to study Jewellery and Silversmithing at GSA in 2014. Since graduating, she has completed several other technical jewellery courses, as well as the INKer Programme of 2020!
As well as now basing herself in Vanilla Ink, Lyndsay enjoys teaching some of our fab courses in Bridgeton as one of our amazing team of tutors!. Her own work centres around the ephemeral beauty of the Scottish coastline, specialising in enamelling and mixed metal work to create unique pieces based on her own drawings of the glorious Scottish coast.
JULIE BROWN - JULIE LORRAINE ART JEWELLERY
Julie has been one of our Residents here at Vanilla Ink since 2019 [we must be doing something right] who graduated in 2013 from Birmingham’s School of Jewellery.
Julie Lorraine Art Jewellery is currently working on a new collection of SciArt jewellery inspired by the hunt for and study of non-baryonic [dark] matter, which will launch very soon indeed!
NATASHA VISSER DESIGNS
Natasha is a South African goldsmith who specialises in uniquely designed handmade jewellery made in platinum, gold, and silver along with overlooked precious stones.
Mindfully crafted to have a dynamic impact, her jewellery combines elegance with a contemporary twist of elements.
Natasha is now living and creating her pieces from the south side of Glasgow. Inspired by patterns & shapes naturally formed by mother nature. She is also our Studio Manager here at Vanilla Ink.
Sooz combe - the indie girl
Sooz’s jewellery journey back in late 2020 when her boss suggested she needed a hobby after working so many long hours. A pal recommended VI’s level one evening course and well… she’s never really left!
Working under the name The Indie Girl, due to her love of Indie music, Sooz is still working on her signature style. She predominantly works in silver and loves adding texture. She has recently started developing chunkier and more robust pieces.
BIANCA O’NEILL JEWELLERY
Bianca studied Silversmithing and Jewellery at GSA between 2007 - 2011. She stepped away from her practice and worked in an unrelated field for a decade before returning to jewellery making in 2020.
Since then, Bianca's practice has developed, creating silver and gold works, often incorporating alternative materials such as resin and reclaimed aluminium. Her webshop features minimalist and geometric pieces indicative of her style, and she continues to develop her creative practice, exploring larger one-off pieces inspired by her lifelong admiration and appreciation of the often-overlooked aspects of our utilitarian man-made world.
KARINA NEPALI
Karina uses digital and traditional techniques to craft statement, gender-neutral jewellery. Inspired by modernist architectural design principles of form and function, Karina visualises jewellery as a balance between miniature sculpture and wearable art forms.
Each piece is made to order in Glasgow, to minimise waste and promote a slow and conscious approach to purchasing.
LAURA KNOWLES - INDIGO DRIFT
Laura is a graduate of GSA and during her degree, she was a jeweller for indie designers and tutor at Vanilla Ink.
Now she is using her love of art and technology to design a wedding collection for couples who love something just a wee bit different.
Working in the mental health sector with lots of people, she appreciates that everyone desires individuality in their pieces. She means to bring this to life through commissions alongside adding her own personal individuality to her growing collection.
sophie lilith - just old light
After attending Cambridge University back in the early 2000s, Sophie pretended to be a writer for about ten years before, out of nowhere, she was saved from this purgatory when Scott taught her how to make jewellery in our old Finnieston studios.
She divides her time between creating lovely new pieces, lavishing attention on her Fabergé dogs and fighting imaginary paper shapes. Who doesn’t?
Our Independent Residents
Our Indy Resident space is across the hall from the other workshops but is equally as well lit and open. We provide jewellers with a 4m x 2m to furnish in whichever manner they choose. It’s situated right next to our kitchen and break-out area, so beware of too many teas or snoozes on our couch!
Time to take a look at who we currently have in our single studios…
STEFF SUMMERS - SEVEN SILVER SORRIES
Steff's journey into jewellery design and making began back in 2012 when she began her HND in Art & Design with Fife College. She went on to complete her degree at DJCAD in Dundee while at the same time taking almost every class she could manage at Vanilla Ink over the years. She’s a serial offender here ; )
Steff works mainly in silver and is exploring using other materials such as sea glass, ceramic and titanium. She handcrafts her pieces in her studio space here in Glasgow, alongside following her dream of being on the INKubator programme. She feels Vanilla Ink is the best community available in empowering her to start her own business, Seven Silver Sorries. She is still finding her signature style however is enjoying every step of the way.
jacqueline Graham - LAH DI DAH DESIGNS
Jackie first discovered a passion for working with metal while taking jewellery night classes, going on to study for a degree in jewellery design and technology, graduating with a BA honours. The course combined the teaching of traditional skills with use of modern technology, giving her an excellent grounding in bench skills and use of Computer Aided Design.
Her jewellery inspirations are many and varied but she is mostly inspired by the natural world. Jackie is drawn to colour and loves experimenting with different ways of adding colour to metal. She enjoys learning new techniques and says “I count myself lucky that Vanilla Ink offers such a great opportunity to learn from such talented and creative people.”
SARAH FLEMING - WEE THISTLE JEWELLERY
Sarah first fell in love with jewellery making while on a summer course at the GSA. After finding the courage to quit her job as a chemist, she embarked on a course at St Martin’s to gain entry to the GSA silversmithing and jewellery course. Now a trained Art & Design teacher, she runs a painting and drawing class for kids and adults in her local community. Her main passion however is making jewellery. She still feels a buzz when making and designing pieces.
Sarah predominantly works in silver where she adds splashes of colour to her work in the form of Keum Boo or enamel. A regular at Vanilla Ink over the years, she has worked hard to improve her technical skills and says the studio is her happy place and sanctuary. Sarah also works as one our marvellous Vanilla Ink Tutors, specialising in Level One, Keum Boo and Sea Glass.
KATIE EYRE - TARNEY & DOLAN
Katie is a visual artist and the founder of Tarney and Dolan. The name is a marrying of both her Grandmothers’ birth names and pays homage to the many women who have come before us and passed on their joy, wisdom and strength.
Each piece is crafted for you by hand, with care and attention, in her Vanilla Ink studio.
want to be part of this?
We currently are full up but don’t let that stop you from putting your name down on our waiting list! Head to our bench rental page to find out more details to apply… come join us! why wouldn’t you?
As a Vanilla Ink Resident, you get space on our Residents Gallery situated in School One, featured on this page with your fellow jewellers alongside three hours of 1-2-1 time with Scott per month… what’s not to love?!
Either contact Scott or go to our Bench Rental page.