Skip to 1.35mins to briefly see Iona tapping away!
BBC News has covered the Bovey Tracey Craft Festival, highlighting its 20th anniversary in June 2024 and the presence of over 200 makers, including an interview with Daniel from Heritage crafts.
During her weekend talk, Iona invited audiences into the world of her box-making practice. She shared how she first discovered the craft, the mentors and moments that shaped her skills, and why this form continues to spark her imagination.
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From the sources of inspiration behind her designs to her hopes for where the work might lead, the interview offered a thoughtful and personal look at how Iona is deeply connected to her craft.
Heritage Crafts in Action: Demonstrations at the Craft Festival​​​
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Following her Precious Metals Bursary from Heritage Crafts in 2023, funded by the Royal Mint, Iona was invited to demonstrate her craft at the Craft Festival under the Heritage Crafts tent. There, she showcased her silversmithing skills alongside other practitioners of endangered crafts - traditional skills that are considered part of the UK’s cultural heritage. It was a unique opportunity to share the artistry and precision behind her work with the public, while highlighting the importance of preserving these time-honoured techniques for future generations.
Precious Metals Bursary with Heritage Crafts
In 2023, Iona was awarded a Precious Metals Bursary from Heritage Crafts, in partnership with The Royal Mint. This support not only enabled her to deepen her silversmithing practice, but also connected her with mentorship from master craftspeople. The bursary programme aims to safeguard endangered British craft skills by giving early-career makers hands-on access to training, tools, and expert guidance.
As part of her Precious Metals Bursary, Iona spent ten intensive days training with master silversmith Ray Walton in his workshop in Kent - an experience that marked a significant step forward in her practice. She chose to focus her project on hinged box making, a niche area of silversmithing she has become increasingly drawn to and specialises in.
A key part of Iona’s project was developing her hinge-making skills, exploring different mechanisms and how movement can shape the experience of a box. She also refined traditional techniques such as chasing and repoussé, translating elements from her drawings into surface details. During this period she completed her travel watercolour paintbox - a piece she is particularly proud of, crafted with precision and care.