26/02/2009 by Peter Sewell.

What a wonderful place Benton & Johnson was, not so much ‘archaic’ as ‘quaintly English’! We were entertained by a lovely fella called Neil Halford, who is obviously something to do with sales or management, but I’ve never thought  to ask!

The shop floor is full of weaving, spinning, and other things I totally missed, machines………………….made of wood and metal - although there was a computerised loom which, although cool, didn’t quite have the character of the rest of the family! I won’t pretend I understood anything Neil and Nina were talking about, I spent most of the time wondering if I could do 2 needle RAW with gold thread, but the whole experience of being in a place which was staffed by craftsmen and women, who took a fierce pride in how the work was finished - and how they are seen as a company - was refreshing in this age of quick turnover and lowest price!

I didn’t take photos, I wish I had now, but if you are into Goldwork, then, as Neil told me as we were leaving, you are more than welcome to arrange a visit and get the guided tour.

There is a ‘goodie cupboard’ where you get to buy stuff after seeing it first hand, such a difference from seeing it on the internet, and you come away from the place feeling as if you have learned a lot today.

Thanks for your time Neil, and we look forward to the next visit, hopefully when the roadworks have finished on the M1!

You can see their website at http://www.bentonandjohnson.com/

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26/02/2009 by Peter Sewell.

I’m going to look at Benton & Johnson this morning, they supply just about everyone in the world who does Goldwork, and it’s Nina’s thing! If I’m lucky, I might be able to afford the petrol home after she’s seen what they have……………if I’m not, I shall post my next blog from Leicester Forest East motorway services. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how they make these fine gold threads, so it’s not all one way.

I will, however, miss the postman, who arrives around noon. Which means I won’t get any beads until tomorrow. Which means all I can do is look at my sketch of ‘Zoe’…………………yes - she is designed, as they say.  I’m pleased with it, I hope Jo at The Bead Shop is when I send her the photo!

Oh, and Facebook is not playing at all, so any friends I may have had have all disappeared………………………….story of my life actually. I’m going to the goldie place now, I’ll let you know what it was like.

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