The Journal

News and views, out and about with Armadillo Central, including exhibitions, book reviews, launches and more

Max Danger’s “Smutte” bejewelled gold pufferfish ring, presented by Goldsmiths' Fair

Metalwork at Collect 2025

The profusion of designs showcasing precious metals at the Collect Fair warranted a dedicated article.

Julie Arkell's mixed media line up, peering into the CAA space, all sold at the show

Collect 2025 Review

Celebrating its 21st year in 2025, the Craft Council’s Collect Fair, which ran from 28th February to 2nd March, never fails to delight and surprise.

Juliet Kepes, Appleby, fine art print, 114 x 178 mm, printed using archival inks on Hahnemühle 310gm acid free paper, with a white surround, ready to frame

The Bear Necessities

The Armadillo Central team was thrilled to be approached for a third time by the Marmalade Films crew, to hire Jennifer Copley-May’s Magic Serpent and Juliet Kepes’ Appleby for Paddington in Peru.

Memento, hand carved ceramic by Halima Cassell, presented by Joanna Bird

Collect Art Fair Preview 2024

London’s Collect Art Fair celebrates its 20th Anniversary later this week, opening to the public, in the West Wing of Somerset House, on March 1st.

Penguin Pool brooch, 2002, silver with frosted perspex, 46x29x16mm deep

Book Review: Jewellery & Silverware

Jeweller and designer Vicki Ambery-Smith’s stand, at any show, has been on my ‘must linger’ list since first pausing to admire her exquisite architecture-inspired creations.

Detail Amity Cup, 1982, Sterling silver, parcel-gilt, burnished, part oxidised, baroque pearl, Kevin Coates

20 of the 40 – Goldsmiths’ Company Exhibition

Goldsmiths’ Fair celebrates its 40th year with an exhibition of works selected by Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of Antique and Contemporary Silver, Modern Jewellery and Art Medals at the Goldsmiths’...

The Release, bronze ed 4/12, 25 x 20 x 15 cm, by Clare Ferguson-Walker

Fresh Air Sculpture 22

A recent visit to this outdoor sculpture exhibition in Quenington, in the depths of the beautiful Cotswolds, did not disappoint.

Mottled Spectral Slice by Graeme Hawes Glass

Craft Festival Cheltenham 2022

Last weekend’s whistle-stop tour of Craft Festival Cheltenham was particularly inspiring and prompted this quick review.

Tailored by Primefit shirt, detail shot taken at the Fashion and Textile Museum Beautiful People Exhibition 2021-2022

Sartorial Sixties

‘Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture’, an exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, explores how a handful of Chelsea boutiques sparked a fashion revolution in the...