When did you decide to be a jewellery maker?
I was 14 years old. I was walking on a street with many sycamore trees when I picked a leaf that wasn’t totally dry yet; I made the stem go round my wrist and pierce the leaf, so it became a bracelet.
What is a special memory from your career?
I worked at a workshop after graduation. The owner was kind but praised no one. One day, I made a 22k chain for an order of earrings. I made it longer, so he kept the remaining piece in his drawer. Months later, he showed me the piece without remembering I’d made it and said “This is proof of good craftsmanship.”
©Hristiana Halkiopoulou
How would you describe what you do?
Clients find it hard to believe I not only sell but also make the jewellery. What I do echoes the mentality of an old-fashioned jewellery maker. Through my designs, I express my love for the materials, while trying to make the person who will wear the jewellery happy.
What’s an interesting part of your work?
Showing people what is hidden behind a jewel; the craftsmanship, the metals, the sources of inspiration. Most will focus on the item’s preciousness, but I talk about its history, its aesthetic and craftsmanship qualities.