Category: Company History

Categories
Company History The guild of St Joseph and St Dominic

London Transport Museum visit

Anton recently visited London Transport Museum   Acton Depot with the Friends of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft.

ltda 2016 002 mike stoakes

(Note this was where Cliff Richard started his ‘Summer Holiday’!)

ltda 2016 004
We were give the excellent tour : ‘The Johnston Journey’ – tracing the amazing lettering legacy that so many come to Ditchling in search of.

We were also shown posters and originals of Anton’s great-grandfather E.A.Cox:

ltda 2016 020

Cox was Frank Brangwyn’s first apprentice and the father of the first wife of Dunstan Pruden (the silversmith), Anne Cox.

He is well know for  series of wonderful character studies around London for posters advertising London Transport.

Here Anton admires an original oil painting he had not seen before.

 

Categories
Company History

Ditchling, Hassocks, East Sussex

Pruden and Smith are established goldsmiths, silversmiths and makers of bespoke handmade jewellery in Ditchling, East Sussex . Anton Prudens grandfather Dunstan Pruden was the silversmith in the Eric Gill-founded Guild of St. Joseph & Dominic on Ditchling common, and though this was a completely new business venture, Pruden & Smith inherited a number of crucial aspects of this legacy. The Pruden and Smith workshop and gallery on Ditchling crossroads is a focal point for the village as it is located on the crossroads in the centre of the village. The building was formally Ditchling Press (of the Guild of St. Joseph & Dominic) and was purchased by Anton & Rebecca in 2007. More information about the Guild can be seen at the excellent Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft. The village hosts many creative links which make it an interesting place to visit.

Ditchling ridgeview museum of art and craftthe bull ditchling

As a community several businesses in the village are now involved with a campaign called ‘Visit Ditchling’. This is basically a way of attracting more people into the village and promoting the special events that are often happening. The associated businesses for Visit Ditchling are: Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft, Ridgeview wine, Stoneywish, Oldland mill, The mac’s farm, The Bull, The white horse, Ditchling tea rooms, and of course Pruden and Smith. Also we are looking to promote the general surroundings such as the famous Beacon which keen cyclists and ramblers love. Furthermore we’re promoting this area of the country and the great activities it has to offer! So, Visit Ditchling and visit us here at Pruden and Smith.

 

Categories
Company History Twist jewellery

Jewellery Cleaning Instructions

Cleaning instructions:

*NOTE we now have a range of excellent cleaning products available in store*
The following instructions apply to silver and most gold jewellery. If your jewellery contains pearls, turquoise, opals or coral do not submerge in silver dip. Instead use our ‘delicate’ cleaner. Rinse well in warm water and dry carefully. If your jewellery is very old or precious bring it to us for evaluation.
Polished finish: Use silver dip (available from us – follow the manufacturer’s instructions) rinse well in warm water. Dry carefully and rub with a jewellery cloth. If your polished piece of jewellery is very scratched bring or send it to us for re-polishing.
Matt/satin finish: Use silver dip; An abrasive such as a green Scotchbrite scourer may be used gently to restore a matt finish. Rinse well in warm water and dry carefully.

Categories
Company History News

Some historical Information about Anton Pruden

Anton PrudenWe thought it may be nice to find out a little more about Anton, one of the partners in Pruden and Smith. Here are some quotes and thoughts made by him, based on some questions asked when he was interviewed:

 

1. Is there a quotation you live and craft by?
“We are all born makers: the only thing that stops us is the story in our head about why we can’t”

2. How did you get started and who did you learn from?
I was inspired to become a silversmith by my grandfather, Dunstan Pruden – the silversmith in the Eric Gill-founded Guild of St.Joseph and St.Dominic on Ditchling Common. This Arts & Crafts experience provided an invaluable grounding in the integrity of general craftsmanship, design and lifestyle.

I am passionate about full, integrated craftsmanship: technical mastery of the materials being only one step to excellence in design, business and career.

3. Give us an anecdote about something you have done or made anything for anyone famous?
We were exhibiting at a show in Islington in the 1997 when I was approached by a woman who complimented me on my work and asked whether I ever supplied my work on approval. She said her husband needed some special gifts and usually got trade prices. At this point I was beginning to feel a little impatient though my professional customer service won through and I started to take down her details. She said perhaps she had better give her husband’s address: 10 Downing Street, London W1A 1AA.

I gulped and realised I was talking to Cherie Blair. Yes I would like to send some samples! In the end, Tony said my silver bowls, although so beautiful, were a little too opulent for the Japanese prime minister- I think he was very mindful of the potential criticism a left-wing leader could attract for giving extravagant gifts, trade prices or no!

4. How would you encourage the next generation to get started or to get the most out of your craft.
a) Great craftsmanship begins with what I call ‘observing the results of your actions’. Never just copy the actions of your teacher – use the tool on the materials & look carefully at what you have done, right or wrong: practice & look, over & over again.

b) Apply the same careful craftsmanship you lavish on what you make to your business skills. A spreadsheet is your best tool.

c) Never price your work to include your own free labour. It is tempting to not cost in your own time, especially in selling. If you do, the inaccuracy of your pricing will haunt you for years.

Categories
Company History

A Precious Legacy

Nowhere is the famous Ditchling arts and crafts heritage more alive and well than in the workshop and gallery of Anton Pruden and Rebecca Smith right in the centre of the village. Eric Gill himself suggested to Dunstan Pruden (Anton’s grandfather) that he join the Guild of St. Joseph and St. Dominic on Ditchling common in 1931. As one of the most influential silversmiths of the 20th Century, the legacy is strong:

“Growing up at the Guild, I was aware even very young of the centrality of the work there….not an over-serious, dry thing, but that they loved, cherished and valued what they did. It was a rare thing then as now and we make it central to our life too. “

For over 20 years they have been designing & making extraordinary jewellery and silverware for those who appreciate real craftsmanship. Whether buying a small silver gift off the shelf or commissioning an engagement ring of a lifetime, buying directly from their workshop is an unforgettable experience.

Commissions include chalices for Ely Cathedral, candlesticks for Durham Cathedral and jewellery for Julie Christie. Rebecca Smith and Anton Pruden are Freemen of the Goldsmiths Company.

Open daily 10.00-17.00, Monday – Sunday. (Sundays 11.00-4.00) Open seven days a week.