Sparkling innovation celebrates birthday

. The multitude of hand craft workshops in knocked together semi detached houses has long gone, but the JIIC has assisted hundreds of small businesses in the jewellery, silver smithing, giftware and high value added goods industries in the West Midlands since it was set up at within the UCE Birmingham Institute of Art and Design ten years ago. Companies to benefit range from award winning jewellery designer, Aimee Winstone, one of eight designers to win the Platinum Design Innovation Award in 2006 to the Black Country Museum, which sought help in recreating Victorian badges for a bobby’s helmet and postman’s insignia. The Centre is part funded by the ERDF (Government Office for the West Midlands) and Advantage West Midlands with support from the British Jewellers Association, the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership and the Birmingham Assay Office. The JIIC is a partner in the West Midlands Technology Network. For more information: uce.ac.uk