Samantha Marsden

Samantha Marsden is a master hand engraver and co-founder of Sam James Ltd, a specialist engraving studio based at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London since 2011. She is the first woman to win the Jacques Cartier Memorial Award twice, the craft world’s equivalent of an Oscar, and is one of the UK’s most celebrated hand engravers. She appeared as a guest expert on BBC One’s The Repair Shop.

Overview

Samantha Marsden's Profile

Samantha Marsden’s fascination with engraving began early, watching the celebrated craftsmen at gunsmith houses openly promoted for their artistry. A Country Life profile described her at the time as 41 years old and “by far one of the youngest” engravers in the UK, placing her birth year around 1972–1973. She originally intended to become a pathologist before art won out over science.

Sam completed a pre-apprenticeship in engraving at the Sir John Cass School of Art and Design, before going on to a full apprenticeship under master engraver George Lukes.

In 2011, Sam joined forces with fellow master engraver James Neville to found Sam James Ltd at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London, creating a studio offering outstanding quality across all facets of engraving, from simple inscriptions to intricate portraiture and cutting for enamel. James Neville has described Sam’s specialism as “intricate pictures — she has a very fine artistic style.”

Samantha appeared as a guest expert on The Repair Shop across three episodes in 2023, working alongside jeweller Richard Talman on projects including restoring a faded inscription on a wedding ring and creating a new copper nameplate for a Royal Navy hat box.

Quick Facts

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Shows Currently Hosting

3
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Awards & Nominations

TV Shows​

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Personal Life

Family, relationships and background

      Education

      Educational background and qualifications

      • Completed a course in engraving at the Sir John Cass School of Art and Design, London
      • Undertook a full apprenticeship under master engraver George Lukes

      Net Worth & Income

      Income sources, net worth, and properties.

      • Income as co-director of Sam James Ltd at the Goldsmiths' Centre, London
      • Earnings from appearances on The Repair Shop
      • Revenue from Goldsmiths' Company apprenticeship and mentorship
      • Earnings from private and trade commissions for commemorative, heraldic, jewellery, and silverware engraving

      Awards

      Awards & recognition