HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE


Vanilla Ink has a simple philosophy: EDUCATE INSPIRE EMPOWER. We believe that making is a form of therapy from which every one can benefit. Fairness, tolerance and equality are at our heart with our social enterprise work allowing us to share our passion and skills with those in our community who can benefit the most and are least likely to have access to creative experiences.

Making in any form has therapeutic benefits, and can be incredibly mindful. Not only that, but making something beautiful is both inspiring and empowering. These are feelings that we want to share with those who need that most within our communities. 

We have an acute understanding of the challenges we all face in a world that has changed so drastically in the past two years. With personal experiences of a number of different challenges of our own, we want nothing more than to make jewellery making and all that it means to everyone. 

If you work with an organisation or charity that supports individuals or groups who face particular challenges and you would like to talk about working with us, and how we might be able to help, please contact our CEO - ellie@vanillainkcic.co.uk


HOW OUR AIMS AND ACTIONS ALIGN

CLASSES

Our classes are wide and varied. We cater for the absolute beginner to the expert looking to sharpen their skills. We aim to keep our costs as low as we possibly can so that they are accessible and affordable. Payment plans are always available on request if you need a bit of breathing space in the cashflow department. After overheads such as tutor costs and materials, our class profits go towards our social enterprise work.

COMMISSIONS

We’re quite lucky to be blessed with one of this county’s finest craftsmen leading our commissions department. But hey, don’t take our word for it, check out our commission gallery yourself! With all the other work we do, we need to remain selective about what we can take on. We can only ever take on so many jobs at a time but we always try to squeeze in what we can! Again, a large portion of costs made from our commissions is reinvested into our social enterprise work.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

This is the part that all of the above is supported by. We work with all kinds of organisations with the intention of improving people’s lives who otherwise would not have the opportunity of creating jewellery. Whether it be one-off classes, weekly/monthly blocks or completely unique programmes, we can tailor sessions to each organisations requirements. We rely on funding to run these low cost sessions on top of everything we put in ourselves. If you’re interested in what we do or working with us, get in touch!


Meet Your Maker, 2018/19, funded by Craft Scotland & Historic Environment Scotland

 

PAST PROJECTS / OPPORTUNITIES

MEET YOUR MAKER 2019/20

@ DUFF HOUSE

with Historic Environment Scotland & CLD Youth Team

 

secondary school Work Experience

with Banff Academy & Aberdeenshire Council

 
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roaming carve 2019

@ urquhart castle

with Historic Environment Scotland

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MEET YOUR MAKER 2019/20

@ moray school of art

with Historic Environment Scotland & Craft Scotland

 
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summer internship & residencies

supporting jewellers & silversmiths from across Scotland

 

make in metal 2018/19

@ the smiddy

with CLD North Youth Team, Aberdeenshire Council

COMMUNITY CARVE 2019/20

in Aberdeenshire

with The Elphistone Institute, University of Aberdeen

 

princes trust funding

supporting unemployed young people in our local community

 

Vanilla ink Awards

2019

Selected silversmithing graduates from New Designers