In The Trade - An Interview with the Silver Spinner, Warren Martin

Keeping Skills Alive

Warren Martin is one of the youngest of the few professional silverspinners still working in the UK. Awarded the Heritage Crafts Precious Metalworker of the Year in 2024, he is passionate about silversmithing as a trade, where a diverse range of skilled industry specialists come together to create a final product. He is also a strong advocate for hands on learning and apprenticeships as an entry into the trade he is so proud to be a part of.

His Instagram reels - @wm.handmade - where he moves metal seemingly as easily clay on a wheel, are captivating to watch, but he does not shy away from discussing the tougher parts of his job and the industry.  Warren is happy to take on clients and selected projects. Please contact him via his Instagram account.

Who, What, and Where

I'm Warren Martin, I am 35 and I am a time served silverspinner based in Sheffield but originally from Kent. 

How you started, your route into the trade

I have worked in the trade for 14 years this year, my journey into silverware started 18 years ago at UCA Canterbury, I then studied a BA hons in Metalwork and Jewellery design at Sheffield Hallam University before taking a dual apprenticeship in production silversmithing and silverspinning at British Silverware Ltd in Sheffield, completing my silverspinning apprenticeship at Camelot Silverware Ltd. I have been self employed for 4 years and work as an outworker at Camelot Silverware, also taking on my own customers. I am the only silverspinner under retirement age in Sheffield.

I was awarded the Heritage Crafts Precious Metalworker of the Year 2024 last year, I have provided skills training for four recipients of the Precious Metals Bursary provided by Heritage Crafts and the Royal Mint. Silverspinning is recognised by them as a critically endangered craft and I am one of only a handful of professional silverspinners left in the UK. If you're not aware of the fantastic work they do please have a look at their website www.heritagecrafts.org.uk and consider becoming a member.

Your work, favourite and least favourite tasks

I mainly spin trophies and replica trophies in silver and base metals for silverplating for sporting events including but not exclusively top flight horse racing, football, golf, yachting and Formula 1. I also produce vessels in copper for enamellers and bespoke silverware for designer silversmiths.

My favourite task is making section/segmented chucks. I do these entirely by hand and even produce them for other spinners. My least favourite task is hand turning brass because the turnings are like tiny needles and get everywhere, I end up with tiny brass splinters stuck in me all over the place, it's an evil material to turn by hand but unfortunately I don't have access to an engineering lathe. 

Your Dream Client

I've more or less worked for every large company in the trade, mainly indirectly, through other companies. The best customers are the ones who pay promptly, trust me to do the best I can do, leave me to get on with it and give positive and constructive feedback. It's always good to get feedback because then I know how I can improve. My favourite customers are ones who credit me so we can grow together. I'm certainly not a fan of those who seek to exploit and pass the work off as their own.

Favourite Walsh Tool

My favourite Walsh product has to be Polishing and Finishing for Jewellers and Silversmiths by the inimitable Stephen M Goldsmith of course or maybe a good old fashioned doming block and dapping set which I will sometimes use to get me going on spinnings that come to a tiny point, not all spinning problems can be solved on the lathe.