about
Our INKubator Programme is a ten month, part-time jewellery initiative to inspire you, transform your creative practice and kick-start your business. Maker-led and maker-designed with creativity at its core, it is a carefully interwoven set of activities, opportunities and a hive of support to generate maximum impact. With skills training at the forefront, you will leave our Programme a far better jeweller, with your bench skills, business mind and creativity improved beyond all recognition!
The INKubator is Scotland’s unique Jewellery Skills and Business Accelerator Programme, with the aim of developing emerging and established talent by providing a supportive and educational environment. The INKubator enables the best jewellers and makers to develop and grow their business, with monthly skills and professional development workshops, networking opportunities and exciting events throughout the ten month Programme. In-House INKers will thrive in a fully equipped workshop, with each given tailored 1-2-1 mentoring. It's the perfect package to ensure each INKer develops confidence, business and practical skills to last a lifetime. Working with key members within the creative and business sectors, the INKubator will give ample insight into what it takes to become a jeweller in today's landscape.
watch our inkubator promo video!
Video courtesy of Raw Film Productions
“The Vanilla Ink Programme allowed me to flourish
and changed me in so many amazing ways!
I cannot put into words how grateful
I am to have been part of it!”
what’s it all about, then?
Skills development
We curate our Programme with skills at the forefront. We are led by a Master Goldsmith & Setter with nearly 30 years experience in the industry who has a natural talent for connecting with his students and is responsible for designing class content here at Vanilla Ink CIC. The improvement of jewellery methods and techniques is why we build our Programme around the upskilling of already talented jewellers and unlocking their potential. We offer the tools, knowledge and experience to invest in your practice and put it into motion, improving your confidence and allowing you reach a future you have always dreamed of! The intensity of development flows naturally and increases as the INKubator Programme progresses through the year.
Professional Development
Our Professional Development is delivered by a highly experienced professional with a background in finance, HR and creative facilitation. We are fortunate to have such a creative powerhouse to design and deliver these specialist sessions! In the areas where we are not experts, we partner with industry leaders to provide the Professional Development that will allow you to grow your business and flourish as a maker. Think marketing, branding, financials etc. All of these are essential to boosting your business brain and allowing your practice to flow, which will increase your efficiency and mean more time at the bench! These sessions are there to help you understand the obstacles you face when doing the dreaded admin side of your business. Yes, we all want to play around at our benches all the time, but we know this isn’t possible. Let us help you grow your business mind to allow you to thrive.
Critical Response process
The Critical Response Process is used to provide a safe, productive, structured approach to feedback, which is essential to our approach to the Programme. The process is completely aligned with our ethos and gives each INKer a key role in any feedback process. The beauty of CRP is that it facilitates discussion and puts the artist in a position of control while receiving feedback. This is incredibly empowering. The opportunity to discuss work in a space which is curated and where there are rules of engagement, where each INKer has an element of control over the process is an exciting, fresh approach and liberating for many artists. The skills learned during this process, the dialogue skills, the ability to challenge and engage using neutral questions and to discuss work in an informed manner, are transferable skills that will support any artist in many other aspects of their career.
“Vanilla Ink have encouraged us
to do things we might not
necessarily have tried before.”
Hive Mind
Our INKubator Programme becomes a place for teamwork, collaboration and sharing. We will create an environment where you can communicate, share ideas and support each another through thick and thin. Vanilla Ink is a safe space for people to be themselves without the fear of prejudice, hate or persecution. We welcome those in society who otherwise would feel out of place or anxious about joining in group sessions. We can offer individual support or allow vulnerable students to feel safe and supported. Our unique and inclusive approach to teaching this incredible craft is founded in our values and ensures that every one feels safe and experiences a sense of worth and belonging. As you progress through the INKubator, you will develop new relationships and bond tightly as a team.
one to one Mentoring
We take the time to pair each In-House INKer with a mentor that will be most beneficial to you and your practice. The mentor may not be industry-specific but is tailored to your needs, offering a range of experience and skills. You'll receive a minimum of ten hours of bespoke mentoring to support your place on the Programme. Meetings can be in-person or online and are used to provide you with an opportunity to reflect on your learnings and your own practice with the support of someone in the creative world with relatable experiences and who will act as a sounding board. We recommend one meet-up between mentor and mentee per month, which allows the relationship to flow at a nice relaxing pace. Remember, mentors are there simply to nudge and guide you, not give you the answers to all your issues - no magic wands here!
“Vanilla Ink has built my
confidence up so much
that my practice has grown in
ways I never thought were possible.”
If you choose to be an In-House INKer, at the start of your journey you will take part in a three day residential trip to Vanilla Ink The Smiddy to get to know your fellow INKers and Programme Leaders, alongside learning what to expect, meet our team up in The Smiddy and to generally have fun! You’ll take part in fn activities and probably end up wielding a hammer at some point down the line!
events and Networking
Over the course of the ten months Vanilla Ink will invite designers, creatives and entrepreneurs to share their experiences in our Meet the Maker sessions to encourage further learning. Introductions will be made to key organisations and individuals to expand your network. We also curate networking events where the INKers will have a chance to showcase their work to a collection of audiences, ending the INKubator Programme with an exhibition and sales event. We also run a fun ‘Creative Speed Dating’ event where you’ll get the chance to pitch to successful industry creatives and answer their burning questions. Depending on what’s happening at what time, we can organise group visits to events, showcases and exhibitions.
The INKubator is a self-funded Programme takes place in Glasgow.
In-House PROGRAMME
This is the ultimate INKer experience! You will become one of us for the duration of the Programme, being given 24-hour access to Vanilla Ink with your very own bench, situated in the purpose built INKers Studio of our wonderful premises in the East End of Glasgow.
Each of our Skills Development sessions will be delivered in-person by our Master Goldsmith, where you will get the chance to enjoy a low tutor-to-student ratio, ensuring the best teaching experience. Alongside this, you will be given access to several of our online videos relating to the Skills Development subject.
Skills sessions are delivered fortnightly [on average], meaning In-House INKers are expected to fully commit to their experience and immerse themselves in the Vanilla Ink family environment. You’ll get to know the other Residents, Tutors and staff and become a part of our team cohort here alongside your fellow In-House INKers.
In total, this gives you workshop access for a full year [Jan - Dec], access to shared tools and equipment, all sessions of our Skills Development workshops, each of our Professional Development workshops, ten hours [minimum] of one-to-one mentoring, all our in-person Meet the Maker events, three Critical Response Process sessions and various networking and showcasing events. Across the ten months you will spend approximately 100 hours in Vanilla Ink [not including time using the workshop for your own practice].
Don’t forget becoming an In-House INKer includes the INKubator Residential in January at The Smiddy. Oh, and you’ll the proud wearer of a cracking INKer hoodie!
“Getting the opportunity to take part in the INKubator has been an amazing experience.
It helped me gain knowledge which I didn’t know about before starting. Having this type of support
and also access to a fully functioning workshop has allowed me to continue making and practice my skills.”
eligibility
what we need from you
The INKubator Programme is open to jewellers who are committed to their craft and are actively pursuing a livelihood within the industry. We want to work alongside passionate makers who are looking to develop a career within the jewellery world and for designers that execute a high level of contemporary craft. Let's get one thing out the way immediately though: it really does not matter what stage of your career you are at - the INKubator is for you! It is not simply aimed at recent graduates or jewellers at the beginning of their career, this Programme is 100% aimed at all jewellers, no matter what level they are at or how long they have been doing it. You may well have been running your practice for several years but are looking to enhance your skills and take your business to the next level.
TO BE ELIGIBLE, YOU MUST:
Have completed your education/training [formal education or training IS NOT necessary]
Have the desire to develop your practice into your sole occupation
Have a portfolio of recent/current work
Commit to the 10 month Programme
Provide an up to date creative C.V.
Commit to at least 8 hours per week developing your own practice
criteria
what do we look for in our inkers?
Want to apply to be an INKer? First, we will need you to fit the eligibility criteria - but how will you go about grabbing our attention so that you stand out from the crowd? If last year is anything to go by, we will receive far more applications than there are available places! Remember, positions are limited to only TEN INKers per year. You'll be based in our purpose built INKers Studio here at VIHQ, with the studio having ten benches. It’s up to you to appear professional, clear with your aims and eager to begin! After submitting your application, we will thoroughly review each one then invite a select few who impress us most for interviews.
CRITERIA FOR in-house APPLICATION:
Quality of work
Originality
Strong ideas
Passion and dedication
Quality of images
Open to new ideas and development
Applications
we will open up the application process for the 2025 inkubator soon!
The application is an online form and is in real time. We would suggest you use a separate word document to fill out your answers then copy and paste into the document. We ask for your relevant training [no formal education is required] and where you are based, but what is really important to us is who you are.
Please consider your answers carefully as they will help us understand your commitment, quality and aspirations. We use your answers and interview to determine your mentor so we can offer you the best and tailored support.
Just One More thing…
Are you wondering what the bees are all about? Well, let us explain.
Bees are incredibly social creatures who rely on constant communication with one another to share information that will make their hive more efficient and in turn, become far more productive. They share data with one another that leads to more nectar being collected and work closely together to build a strong, safe and secure place for them to live, work and rest. They are vital for the planet’s existence and society would fall to pieces without them.
The Vanilla Ink logo is a hexagon, which famously is the shape makes up the sturdy honeycomb interior of each hive. As you’ve read above, we have six core benefits to our Programme that match the sides of a hexagon.
We can think of no better role model and mascot to use for our INKubator Programme. Oh, and very much like jewellers, they are generally friendly but can be aggressive when they want! And don’t forget they love a wee dance and a wiggle too… who doesn’t?