What is your design process?
My design process is different every time. But I never make drawings in advance. When I am working on a topic, I often let words guide me. Other times I find a great stone and then I build the design idea around the material.
What extraordinary materials do you work with?
If you wet parchment, you can shape it any way you like. I once stretched it over a pearl chain and then inserted one of the pearls into the cast. Parchment hardens when it dries, but it is still stretchy. It just stays in this moment, and this can be really beautiful.
How do you keep your creativity fresh?
Working on passion projects without commercial pressure keeps my creative juices flowing. My big goal is to keep a day a week free for personal projects, creativity and experimenting. It is essential for me to set this time aside, as my imagination is what sets me apart from other goldsmiths.
What is your approach to balancing innovation with tradition?
Both are important. Without tradition, the craft would die out and eventually, everything would come from the 3D printer. Many practices are already falling victim to these efficiencies. But innovation – new ideas, forms, and techniques – is also crucial. The two go together.