Wasps is excited to share the news of a city-wide Open Studios event in Dundee this September, with jewellers based at Meadow Mill featuring in the line up.
This September, Dundee Open Studios: The Jewellery Edition will bring together 22 jewellers across 10 venues for the city’s first dedicated jewellery open studios event. Taking place across two weekends, 20–21 and 27–28 September 2025, the event gives the public a rare opportunity to step inside 10 venues across the city – from shared workshops and independent studios to retail spaces – and discover the fascinating world of contemporary jewellery. Click here for the event’s map. Participating jewellers from Meadow Mill are Joanne MacFadyen, Scarlett Erskine, Anne Watson and Dundee Community Craft.
Visitors can expect to see the full spectrum of contemporary jewellery practice: from one-off pieces and bespoke remodelling, to design-led collections sold in galleries, shops, and high-end craft markets. It’s an opportunity to meet jewellers at all stages of their careers, from recent graduates to established makers, and experience first-hand how jewellery is designed, crafted, and brought to life. Many participants will offer live demonstrations, talks, and even jewellery-making workshops for those keen to try their hand at the craft. Each venue will reflect the individuality of the jewellers working there, offering a unique insight into their processes and inspirations, highlighting the skill, time, and imagination that goes into every piece of jewellery.
“This event is about more than just opening our doors,” says co-organiser Islay Spalding (jeweller and founder of Double Door Studios). “It’s about showing the public what goes into making, inspiring new generations of jewellers, and encouraging skilled tradespeople like stone setters and engravers to base themselves here. Our long-term vision is for Dundee to become a recognised jewellery hub, a kind of ‘Hatton Garden’ of Scotland but with its own design-led identity.” Dundee has a long-standing reputation for producing creative talent, particularly through Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD). Many of the participating jewellers are graduates who have chosen to stay and build their businesses in the city, while others have been drawn here by its thriving creative community. The collective goal is clear: to put Dundee firmly on the map as a jewellery hub – a place where jewellers can build careers, trade specialists can thrive, and visitors can discover the extraordinary.
The project is led by jewellers Islay Spalding and Katie New, supported by Creative Dundee’s Amps Network Community Ideas Fund. 3000 limited edition Riso-printed maps have been designed and printed for the event and are available for free to pick up at locations around the city including V&A Dundee, DCA and The McManus. It marks the beginning of a wider ambition to grow Dundee Open Studios into a city-wide celebration of all makers, artists, and designers in future years. “Open Studios are such a brilliant way to connect people with the craft happening on their doorstep. Dundee doesn’t yet have one, even though the surrounding regions have thriving open studios events.” says co-organiser Katie New (jeweller, educator and owner of The Orangery Workshop). “We hope this event strengthens connections in our city and helps more people appreciate the value of the work being made here. As a UNESCO City of Design, Dundee is ready for this, and we want jewellery to be the seed from which something larger grows, bringing in more makers and disciplines each year.”
The final weekend also coincides with Doors Open Days, when venues across Scotland open up to the public, making it a perfect time to explore Dundee’s creative and cultural spaces.
