Jo was presented with her Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council (GCDC) Award by Heather Callaway chair of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and Joanna Hardy at the GCDC AWARDS 2024. She received a silver award for her ‘Fitaa’ collection, which comprises a statement necklace, bracelet, ring and drop earrings made of glass and sterling silver in Jo's distinctive signature style and weaving technique. The collection topped the Ready to Wear Jewellery category, picking up the NAJ and British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) Best in Category Sponsors Award. The ready to wear category encourages entrants to design a piece of demi-fine jewellery that demonstrates design prowess while being commercially viable. The 2024 GCDC awards ceremony was held at the Goldsmiths’ Hall, London on Monday 4 March 2024. The ceremony was opened by Anne-Marie Reeves chair of the GCDC and hosted by Council Trustees Maeve Gillies and Judith Lockwood.
The Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council was established in 1908 and continues to encourage the pursuit of excellence in silversmithing, goldsmithing, jewellery and all allied crafts. The awards have celebrated British creativity and skill since 2009, allowing artisans wider recognition.
The ceremony was attended by 300 guests including the nominees, leading industry guests and the judging panel. This year there were 33 categories and 2 bursaries as well as 5 Special Awards and 6 Major and Premier Awards up for grabs. Sponsors such as Cartier and the NAJ supported some of these awards. The evening was a spectacular celebration of skilled craftsmanship in various mediums.
Jo said ‘It's an honour to have received The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Award. I am grateful to all the judges, the GCDC team, The National Association of Jewellers, and the British Allied Trades Federation. Receiving my award in the prestigious Goldsmiths Hall, meeting the category winners, the wider community and sharing the stage with phenomenal women, Anne-Marie Reeves, Joanna Hardy and Heather Callaway was a wonderful experience.’
The ceremony was live streamed on YouTube. You can catch up on the recording of the ceremony here. The ceremony was followed by an exhibition of the winning entries at the Goldsmiths Hall from 5 to 8 March.