Shine 2025 Application Guidelines
and FAQs
Overview
The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Shine training programme offers early career jewellery and silversmithing designer-makers the chance to participate in a free, four-month programme, offering expert guidance on how to present, sell and showcase a new collection online and in person. Shine 2025 is designed specifically for makers in the first years of their business journey. You will gain valuable insights through live webinars, self-paced learning modules, and practical assignments. You will also have the chance to showcase your new collection through the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s online shop and other platforms, culminating in a live pop-up selling event at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in September 2025.
If you need any questions or need guidance before submitting your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team – we’re here to help.
Call our team at +44(0)20 7566 7650 or email charlotte.dew@goldsmiths-centre.org
Who can apply?
You can apply for Shine 2025 if you are:
in your first five years of business
able to present a new collection at the time of application
committed to undertake and complete the all of the Shine training programme (as outlined below in the training programme schedule)
committed to growing a business as a designer maker, jeweller or silversmith
resident in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
And if your collection fits the following criteria:
coherent and tells a good story through the design and materials
well-made and finished collection of at least 10 objects or items of jewellery
appropriately priced and presented
can be sold from the Goldsmiths’ Centre Shop Talent online shop
Up to ten makers will be invited to showcase a collection in Shine. All applications will be anonymised and reviewed by an independent
selection panel made up of invited external industry experts, a former Shine participant and the Goldsmiths' Centre team.
What
are
the key deadlines for Shine 2025?
Key deadlines for Shine 2025 are:
The Shine 2025 application deadline is: Tue 20 May 2025 by 5pm
The training programme –part-time, online: from w/c Mon 9 June 2025 until Thu 18 September 2025
Delivery of Shine 2025 work to the Goldsmiths' Centre (unless requested sooner for re-photography): by or on Friday 15 August 2025
In-person pop-up selling event and exhibition launch at the Goldsmiths' Centre on: Wed 17 September 2025, afternoon and evening
Shine 2025 exhibition at the Goldsmiths' Centre: from Fri 19 September 2025 until Fri 19 December 2025
Your work (the exhibits) will be available to purchase via the Goldsmiths' Centre's online shop: from Wed 17 September 2025 until 31 August 205
Goldsmiths' Fair introduction (to help with a future application, if desirable)
What is the Shine training programme schedule?
This year’s Shine training programme is obligatory for all participants to complete and will be delivered through sessions outlined below, with one or more follow-up sessions in the autumn/winter 2025 period.
Module
1. Moodle online learning platform onboarding
2. LIVE: Induction to Shine online training; introduction to the filming and photography assignment brief. Q&A.
3. RECORDED: Presenting yourself and your work on camera
4. RECORDED:
Hosted/Organised by Date and time Delivery format
The Goldsmiths' Centre team w/c 9 June 2025 Email invitation / instructions
Shine organiserCharlotte Dew, Head of Public Programmes, The Goldsmiths' Centre Mon 16 June 2025, 3pm4.30pm Live Zoom
Smartphone video experts - John Dixon and Ralph Tittley, Brightest Bulb w/c 16 June 2025 Pre-recorded film
Smartphone video w/c 16 June Pre-recorded film
Photographing your work experts - John Dixon and Ralph Tittley, Brightest Bulb Digital Marketing Executive and Fine Jewellery Maker – Kay Konecna, The Goldsmiths’ Centre 2025
5. RECORDED: Speaking to camera and taking part in live events
6. LIVE: Interviews with Shine exhibitors
Smartphone video experts - John Dixon and Ralph Tittley, Brightest Bulb
Creative Content Producer - Rae Gellel, Head of Public ProgrammesCharlotte Dew, Head of Digital and CommunicationsIsabel Keim, The Goldsmiths’ Centre
w/c 23 June 2025 Pre-recorded film
7. LIVE: Pricing and product review 1-2-1 session
8. LIVE: Photographing your work Q&A: ask questions about the training film and get advice on how to improve your photographs
9. LIVE: Writing about your work
From w/c 23 June –25 July 2025 Live Zoom (personal time/appointmen t for each maker)
10. RECORDED: Selling at a distance
Head of Public ProgrammesCharlotte Dew, Curatorial AssociateGreg Parsons, Programme Coordinator - Erin Sleeper, External expert tbc 24 June 2025 Live Zoom (personal time/appointmen t for each maker)
Digital Marketing Executive and Fine Jewellery Maker – Kay Konecna, The Goldsmiths’ Centre 2 July 2025 – 2pm-4pm Live Zoom
Author and Creative Writing specialistShaun Levin 7 July 2025, 2pm4pm or 8 July 2025, 10am12pm or 2pm-4pm Live Zoom sessions (one of these session times will be allocated to each maker)
Luxury Retail Sales Consultant - Zoe w/c 21 July Pre-recorded film
11. LIVE: Improving your online presence
12. LIVE: Promoting your Shine presence
Cooper, Zoe Cooper Associates 2025
Fashion, Business and Digital ConsultantToyin Laketu 30 July, 2025,10am -12.30pm Live Zoom
Head of Digital and Communications Isabel Keim, The Goldsmiths’ Centre 1 Sept, 2025, 3pm - 4.30pm Live Zoom
What are the Shine sales requirements?
Shine participants will also be expected to work with the Goldsmiths’ Centre to make their work available for purchase through the Centre’s online shop, Goldsmiths' Shop Talent, unless there is an agreed reason not to.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre will take a commission of 15%+VAT on sales, to cover costs. Applicants are asked to confirm the availability of work for sale this application.
How do you want to apply?
This section details how to apply and the supporting documents you will need to submit your application.
Step 1: Read these guidelines or come to our online Q&A info session to ensure that you understand the application process.
Step 2: You can apply for the Shine programme either via:
a. our online application form can be accessed via any standard web browser on a computer, tablet, smartphone. The application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, if you have all of the images required ready to upload and the dimensions of all of the objects in your collection. You can save and return to your application up until the application deadline. To make the process easier, you should have the relevant support documentation ready to upload, as listed in this guide.
b. a video captured on your camera phone or computer and submitted via a file hosting service (such as a hidden Vimeo or YouTube link, Google Drive or Dropbox). Please note that only aspects of the application can be completed this way and we advise you discuss your requirements with charlotte.dew@goldsmithscentre.org before submission in this format. Please see our FAQs for a step-by-step guide on how to best capture aspects of your application on camera.
Step 3: You will need to provide the following information as part of your application:
Section 4: Contact Information:
Your name, preferred name for public use (if different from your first and last name or business name), email address, mobile phone number and/or landline number and correspondence postal address.
A portrait image of yourself working your workshop or studio with a photographic credit (if required) listing the photographer’s name. This image needs to be at least 1.5MB or maximum 1GB or 300dpi in jpg, png or tiff format.
Section 5: Business Information:
Your business name, business website, social media accounts, number of years trading as a business, whether you are registered VAT and if so, your registration number.
A description of your business in up to 300 words and list any awards, prizes, exhibitions you have received, been nominated for, or taken part in.
Section 6: Your Story:
The title of the collection of work that you are proposing for the Shine 2025 exhibition and selling pop-up event.
A 100-word (max) third-person description of the proposed Shine 2025 collection, covering its inspiration, themes, and making process.
A brief biography of up to 100 words written in the third person.
Section 7 – Section 19: Your Collection
Details and images for a collection of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 items of finished jewellery or objects. For all objects, you must submit:
an object name/title
dimensions in mm (including, as appropriate height, width, depth, ring size, chain length in inches)
materials (e.g. Sterling silver, 18ct gold etc)
list of all techniques using in production (e.g. casting, engraving, chasing etc.)
retail price in Pound sterling
replacement value in Pound sterling (for insurance purposes, usually 50% of retail price)
whether this piece is a sample (e.g. another piece is be made to order), or whether it is available for direct sale through the Goldsmiths’ Centre online shop
the lead time for delivery in weeks if made to order
Uploading images of your work
For each work proposed for the exhibition, you must submit a photograph of the work on a white background. All images submitted must be at least 1.5MB or maximum 1GB or 300dpi in jpg, png or tiff format.
Each image should be given a file name that identifies it as yours and links it to the object number on this e.g. ‘Object 1_Your Name_Object Title’.
All images must be sent with your application, as specified above, or the application will not be accepted.
Section 20: Declaration
You are required to sign a declaration to confirm that:
all the information contained within the application is true.
The collection of works that you are proposing for the exhibition are available from the 15 August 2025 and consent for them to be held by the Goldsmiths’ Centre from this date to allow them to be dispatched if purchased until the January 2026
You will participate in all elements of the Shine 2025 programme as detailed in the Training Programme Schedule.
You are content for your information to be held on an electronic database for the purpose of administration in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation. It will not be disclosed to any third parties unless specified by you.
Your submitted images may be used for promotional use by the Goldsmiths’ Centre such as, but not restricted to, print, press, social media, website and e-newsletters.
You understand that the Goldsmiths’ Centre reserves the right to change venues and individual speakers or to cancel the event if circumstances outside its control change or influence this event.
Step 4: Once your application has been submitted, Charlotte Dew will be in touch from charlotte.dew@goldsmiths-centre.org to say that your application form has been received and inform you in regards to any clarifications or outstanding information required.
If you have not heard back from us before the application deadline, please contact us to check that your application has been received.
Please regularly check your inbox and junk mail for correspondence and ensure that you have added both charlotte.dew@goldsmiths-centre.org
and erin.sleeper@goldsmiths-centre.org to your safe list.
What happens next after applying?
Step 5: Once your application has been received you will be sent an email with a link to complete our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Survey, which will come from erin.sleeper@goldsmiths-centre.org. This survey is anonymous but requires completion before you can be offered a place on the programme.
Step 6: Your anonymous application will be reviewed by the Shine selection panel. You will be notified on or by 30 May 2025 of the outcome of your application by charlotte.dew@goldsmiths-centre.org
FAQs
Is it possible to apply in other ways than the written application form?
Yes, you can submit some elements of your application as a simple video captured on your camera phone or computer by following the steps below:
Step 1: Decide the format: Before you start filming, contact Charlotte Dew at charlotte.dew@goldsmiths-centre.org to discuss your submission and familiarise yourself with the questions in the application form and how you can best present your case through video.
Step 2: Write your script: Start by introducing yourself and then film a response to each question / section of the application form citing the number of each section in the application. Make sure your film is no longer than 20 minutes in total.
Step 3: Rehearse: It’s important to know what you’re going to say in your video, so write a short script and rehearse what you are going to say beforehand until you’re completely comfortable. You may want to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Make sure to speak clearly and slowly, and let your personality shine through.
Step 4: Shoot your video: You don't need to buy or hire expensive equipment to create your video. You can simply use the camera on your smartphone (although you will need a tripod, something to prop your phone onto or a friend to film you) or a computer.
Set aside a few hours so there’s no time pressure – you’ll want to do as many takes as necessary to get it right. You should always film in a welllit, indoor location with as little background noise as possible. Don’t film against a window; rather use it as natural side lighting. Do some test runs first to make sure the lighting is bright enough and the audio is clear on
speakers and headphones – it can also be invaluable to have a friend record with you to get an alternative perspective.
Step 5: Submit your video application: Once you've saved your video in a common format such as MOV, MP4 or AVI, you can share your file via Google drive or Dropbox. You can also upload your video as a hidden video on Youtube or Vimeo and provide us with the link to applications@goldsmiths-centre.org