17 June 2013

Dundee studio looks for new 'Inkers'

Vanilla Ink, the unique, award-winning jewellery studio based in Dundee which has committed to developing new talent by providing a supportive incubator 'pod', is looking for its next generation of 'Inkers'.

Applications are now open for the 2013/14 programme. Vanilla Ink enables the UK's best new designers to develop and grow their business in a fully equipped workshop.

It offers 'Inkers' unlimited access to workshop space, peer support, mentoring and professional development workshops for one year only, to ensure each 'Inker' develops confidence and business skills to last a lifetime.

"We think there is a difference between making jewellery and being a jeweller; that the difference between having a dream and making it real is understanding the market and your place in it. There is a need for a supportive transition from education to independent success as a maker," says Kate Pickering (27), founder and director of Vanilla Ink, graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

"We promote, support and facilitate jewellers in the early stages of their career and following on from their diverse and very successful first year, Vanilla Ink is now open for applications for the 2013/14 programme.

"We had applicants from all over Britain for our first intake and look forward to seeing some great talent coming forward this year."

Robin Bell, one of the current `Inkers' said, "I hadn't been able to do too much making until I joined Vanilla Ink, as trying to do it at home on the kitchen table just isn't practical. Knowing the workshop space is available 24/7 is great. If I wasn't at Vanilla Ink, I'd probably still be trying to progress my business and working from the kitchen table."

This year's application form can be downloaded - the deadline for applications is midnight on the 21st of July.

To download the form see: www.dropbox.com/s/tveut3uufvhbt4l/Vanilla%20Ink%202013%20Application%20Form.pdf.

For more information see: http://vanillainkstudios.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902