Sarah Hutchison
To celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, we put out an open call to women within the Company's membership, asking them to tell their stories, share what motivated them to join us, and fill us in on interesting facts about their lives, careers and aspirations. We were lucky to receive responses from a wide range of members, which we will be publishing in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2025.
Our fifth member interview in this series is with Freeman Sarah Hutchison.
Tell us about you and your career
I graduated in 2004 with a first class BA (Hons) from Edinburgh College of Art under the amazing Dorothy Hogg. I was unusual because I was 50/50 in my practice - a silversmith and a jeweller. I started my career on a high with my first big exhibition being the Goldsmiths Fair in 2005 with one of the graduate bursary stands. I exhibited at the Fair for 6 consecutive years while exhibiting internationally, undertaking commissions and developing my own designs and practice. My most famous commission was the Incorporation of Goldsmiths 'Silver of the Stars' teapot for Sharleen Spitteri.
On the back of this I was awarded a Dewar Arts Award to travel and develop my practice further. I set up my own workshop in 2007 before moving to London in 2009 to manage the contemporary jewellery gallery 'Platform' in Hatton Garden. I loved my time working in the heart of London's jewellery quarter but moved back to London in 2011 to set up my own jewellery gallery.
I have had my gallery for 14 years this May, where I stock the work of over 40 independent designer makers. In 2023 I started a new strand of the business by offering a resale service of Preloved Contemporary Jewellery. I believe that I am the first person offering this service and it has been amazing - with over 1000 pieces coming for resale in less than 18 months with a 70% resale success so far. It is a lot of work but I really believe in it, and it really is a service that should exist in a time where we are all so aware of waste and the need to reduce our own carbon footprint. Sadly I do not have time for my own practice anymore, however I do look forward to maybe getting back to the bench one day.
How did you first come to hear about the Goldsmiths’ Company?
I first heard of the Goldsmiths Company from Dorothy Hogg. As students we always entered the GCDC Awards. The first year I entered I won a Gold Award for one of my designs. I won £300 cash, 1200g of silver and £500 worth of stones - this was just before I went into my final year and was an incredible opportunity for me to have the freedom to push my designs forward without the financial constraints that you have as a student. I was also granted a precious metal bursary in my final year. I won the Goldsmiths Company Award for Silversmithing at New Designers and went on to do the Spotlight Getting Started course after graduation. All of these opportunities and support at this early point in my career are what made me keen to join the Company to give back what and where I could.
Why did you become a member of the Company?
I have just answered this above really....but also; I love being part of the Jewellery Industry. I used to love coming down every year when I did the Fair and getting that great sense of being part of something bigger, and the community as a whole. Although I stock a lot of different designers and still have a great jewellery community in Edinburgh and Scotland, I miss my time in Hatton Garden where I felt more connected. I wanted to be able to be more involved and to get that sense of community again. It feeds my own passion and enthusiasm.
What are you involved in at the Company?
At the moment I am involved in two projects. I am a member of the EDI working group. Being a woman from a very modest upbringing, and also being from Scotland, I was keen to help the company make sure it is more inclusive and representative of the trade and its members. I am also involved with the Mentoring Programme with the Goldsmiths Centre. I have just been matched with my second mentee and I am really enjoying the process. I often feel I get as much from the sessions as my mentees as I feel sharing my own experiences and knowledge is helpful to energise my own business as much as encouraging others.
How would you describe the Company in three words?
Supportive, Inspiring, Community
What women have inspired / been important to you in your life and career, and why?
Well off course, Dorothy Hogg. It is only as an adult and now also as a mother I can reflect on all that she was doing and achieving at the time when I was a young art student. She was always giving so much to everyone, and genuinely cared too. She was not only a fantastic tutor and mentor, but was always interested in your personal life, and was always fighting your corner, whether that be getting you grants and funding or specialist help to develop your practice. All the while still making time for her own practice, and her family. She pushed us to be and do our best and to always go the extra mile.
I remember her saying to me I was the least arty art student she had ever met, and I think it is because I was so driven, organised and focused. All traits that have enabled me to take my creativity and push it to run a successful business I think / hope. Another fond memory is when we were both invited to a "Celebration of British Design" at Buckingham Palace. It was in 2004 so I had just graduated and we travelled to London together on the train and back on the sleeper. I almost wish I could go back and have that time again and appreciate all the knowledge she had.
What advice would for women who are interested in joining the Goldsmiths’ Company?
DO IT! It is great to see more females joining the company at all levels and I think it is important to make sure this trend continues.