Why I became a silversmith

Silver fascinates me, because it plays an important part of the special moments in our lives.

The value of the material emphasises the importance of an event when we set the table with it, like big holidays and family gatherings, wedding or anniversary. Or it makes a daily ritual even more beautiful and special.

It’s like it has the power to make us appreciate the beautiful and important moments in our lives, and that’s what I love about it.

That’s why I do it.

I create objects to celebrate the beautiful moments in our lives.

 

What inspires me

The material – the malleability, the colour ranges, but mostly above all the endless possibilities of surface texture.

The process – from idea to finished piece. I love being in the creative space, filled with possibilities and scary-exciting uncertainty.

Functionality – usability, both in a social context and pure function.

Emotion – the value we put into an object, by using it either everyday or for special occations, the memory that is attatched to objects and how I can be part of someone elses story by creating an emotional object for them.

 

Ground principles in my work

Keep it simple.

Everything is made from the same basis or building blocks.

I used to panic at the thought of designing new stuff, because I wanted it to be novel, never seen before and maybe even inventing  the new wheel of silversmithing. That felt like so much pressure. Until I realised that everything has already been done, and that new designs are just new combinations of already existing ideas. That invention and innovation is a slow evolving process, not something that happens overnight. Form and function are new spins on basic principles and structures and if all I focus on is adding my spin to the equation, then my work will be unique.

That’s why I try to cut back to the core and basics of a project, design, even before I draw the first sketch. That way I can focus on the essentials and not get distracted by irrelevant details. I can always add more.

Handmade Quality

Quality is important. I’m talking about old-fashioned quality objects, the kind you can get repaired, that will last you a lifetime. All my pieces are hand-made, so no mass production – which is reflected in the price.

“I do not believe that more stuff will make you happier, but the right stuff certainly can.”

Sustainability

I have a thing for up-cycling too, as I believe it’s my responsibility as a designer-maker to choose my resources and materials with care for the environment, humanity and our future.

I also believe in running a sustainable business, where my welfare, time and health is a priority – which means applying fairtrade principles to me as my own employee.

More about me

Silversmith…?

I probably ought to tell you what a silversmith is – it’s often mistaken for someone who makes silver jewellery, in the same misconception a goldsmith makes gold jewellery – which makes sense, but isn’t quite right.

Definition: A silversmith makes hollowware, or silverware – so often functional pieces like vases, bowls, trays, jugs, candlesticks, napkin rings even cutlery, usually in silver – and a goldsmith does all the jewellery, even in silver.

 

 

and now…?

My way to silversmithing went via jewellery. I first found out I loved working in silver when I was an intern at a goldsmith in my teenage years. It lead to a jewellery-teacher course in North-Jutland, then a Bachelor in Fine Art from Konsfack in Sweden and finally a Master of Art from the Royal College of Art in London – where I also set up my business in 2003.

For almost ten years I only made silverware (hollowware, bowls, vessels, trays, candlesticks, cutlery, jugs etc) for a living . It was a dream come true. So was opening a shop/workshop in Copenhagen with a colleague in 2007.

I’m a great fan of the japanese aesthetic concept Wabi-Sabi – which is mostly described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”. I find that is true for most things in both business and life – they change, evolve and there’s always more to learn. It’s no secret that the economical crisis had a lot of solopreneurs struggling, including me. In 2012 I took a silversmithing break to recharge, do some soul-searching and try out new things, which led to finally closing my silversmithing adventure in 2015.

I’m now studying become a graphic designer in Aarhus, Denmark – where I also live with my daughter.