The Winter Jewels Exhibition is a collaboration of two accomplished crafters, Vicky Tawamana a silver & gold smith and Jennie Bayntun a contemporary glass artist, both creating stunning Jewellery and Object D’art.  In addition to exhibiting work, there will be demonstrations and talks throughout the exhibition which runs from Thursday 8^th December until Christmas Eve.

Vicky Tawamana, an award-winning jeweller established Sungirl Silver to create unique, bespoke items ranging from traditional jewellery in gold and platinum as well as quirky, playful adornments in silver.  Employing a marriage of traditional and modern techniques, each item telling a story from design to construction.  For 20 years, Vicky has continued to create unique jewels while pursuing her vocation of teaching jewellery and silversmithing techniques.  She has established several supportive situations for people to produce jewellery and silverware.  Including setting up independent community learning projects, tutoring privately at her studio near Rye and several colleges in the Southeast including Bexhill College and the British Academy of Jewellery.  She has been particularly proactive in mentoring Alumni to establish co-operative exhibitions and sales.  Currently under construction, Vicky is developing a custom-built workshop with a forge and castings works to accommodate larger scale smithing work, specialist metalwork courses and rentable bench space. In addition to supporting adult learners, Vicky is currently developing a range of children’s’ craft courses.

Jennie Bayntun, has a love for Rye, spending over 30 years as a resident, and a deep passion for glass, exploring its complex qualities, handmaking unique sculptures and jewellery using a variety of techniques.  Embracing the glass as both beautiful and functional, Jennie has developed contemporary designs with traditional methods, often including reflective dichroic glass, as well as specialist glass sourced from around the world.  Coming from a multi-faceted working background, particularly in the field of medicine, Jennie values and embraces life, frequently expressing this in her work.  As a keen photographer, Jennie often draws inspiration from these images creating panels, platters and jewellery.   Having realized her affinity for glass-working, Jennie gained a BA Hons in Art & Design, then completed a post graduate year at the International Glass Centre in Brierley Hill, West Midlands.  Her works has been exhibited in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, France, Croatia and East Sussex and Jennie continues to hand-craft bespoke commissions and unique glass creations.