Pruden and Smith
Art Forms
Jewellery
Exhibition and News
Art in Ditchling Trail – Artists Open Houses
Dates: 3–26 May 2025
Location: Ditchling, East Sussex
Join Pruden and Smith for the Art in Ditchling Trail, part of the wider Artists Open Houses festival taking place across Sussex this May. Located in the historic village of Ditchling—long known for its artistic heritage—their gallery and working jewellery workshop will be open to visitors throughout the event.
Explore their signature collections, including the Trap (Sussex Shore) Collection, inspired by the natural patterns and textures of the Sussex coastline. This collection captures the beauty of pebbles embedded in wood along the shore, with hammering techniques used to reflect the organic contours of the land and sea.
During the event, free guided workshop tours will run regularly, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how their bespoke jewellery is designed and crafted. You’ll see the goldsmiths at work, witness tools and techniques in action, and learn more about the deep connection between their work and the Sussex landscape.
Sussex Craft Week Exhibition – Precious Materials, Precious Moments
Dates: 14–21 June 2025 (Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm)
Location: Pruden and Smith, 2 South Street, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8UQ
This special Sussex Craft Week exhibition invites you to experience the emotional and artistic process behind jewellery redesign. Titled Precious Materials, Precious Moments, the exhibition focuses on the transformation of heirloom pieces into contemporary jewellery—preserving the memories, stories, and materials that make each item truly one of a kind.
Through exquisite craftsmanship and thoughtful design, Pruden and Smith explore the legacy of precious metals and gemstones, reimagined with sustainability and sentiment in mind. Their Creative Director, Rebecca Smith, brings her artistic vision to each redesign, ensuring that the result reflects both heritage and individuality.
During the exhibition, exclusive workshop tours will be available. These small-group experiences offer an intimate opportunity to go behind the scenes and engage directly with the redesign process. Visitors will gain insight into how ideas are developed, materials are evaluated, and stories are honoured through innovative craftsmanship.
Entry is free, but booking is advised for tours via prudenandsmith.com.
South East Open Studios
Dates: 6–22 June 2025 (Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm)
Location: Pruden and Smith, 2 South Street, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8UQ
As part of South East Open Studios, Pruden and Smith will once again open the doors to their renowned gallery and workshop in the heart of the South Downs. This popular regional event celebrates the work of local artists and makers, and offers a relaxed, welcoming environment for visitors to discover creativity up close.
At the heart of their display is the Trap (Sussex Shore) Collection—a line that pays tribute to the natural textures of the Sussex coast. With hammered surfaces and asymmetrical forms, each piece echoes the rhythm and irregular beauty of the landscape that surrounds their workshop.
Throughout the event workshop tours will be running daily. These offer a rare chance to witness skilled goldsmiths at work and to learn how each piece is hand-crafted—from the initial concept right through to polishing the final design. It’s a celebration of artistry, place, and process.
Biography
Founded in 1988 in the historic village of Ditchling, East Sussex, Pruden and Smith are bespoke & luxury jewellery designers with deep roots in craftsmanship and innovation. Combining craft heritage with contemporary design, the brand specialises in bespoke handmade jewellery created on-site in their gallery and workshop at the foot of the South Downs.
The company was established by Anton Pruden, a silversmith with a family history rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement, and Rebecca Smith, a designer with a background in fine art. Their partnership blends generations of metalworking expertise with a forward-thinking approach to design.
At the heart of Pruden and Smith’s creative philosophy is the belief that jewellery should be both beautiful and meaningful. Their work often involves transforming heirloom pieces into new, bespoke designs that honour personal histories while embracing modern aesthetics—a process they call “a precious legacy.”
A hallmark of their collections is the use of recycled precious metals. Their signature line, the Trap (Sussex Shore) Collection, draws inspiration from the local coastline, echoing the patterns of pebbles embedded in wood along the shifting shorelines. Each piece is individually handmade by skilled goldsmiths using traditional techniques, ensuring authenticity and lasting quality.
With a reputation for excellence and innovation, Pruden and Smith continue to attract clients from across the UK and beyond who seek one-of-a-kind jewellery that tells a story—rooted in craftsmanship, place, and purpose.
Contact
2 South St, Ditchling,
East Sussex, BN6 8UQ, UK.
+44 (0)1273 846338
hello@prudenandsmith.com
