Montse Salguero is the designer and owner of her own studio, and brand Cuques de llum. She currently lives in Terrassa, a Spanish city in the East Central region of Catalonia.

Although, she works for an multinational company during the day, she spends most of her evenings being very creative with glass. Her work is very beautiful, colourful, vibrant and full of life.

The use of glass in her pieces gives them an amazing feeling of movement as the light radiates through them. Not only does she make the finished pieces of jewellery but she also makes all the glass herself. Experimenting and discovering new techniques all the time. Her passion literally shines through in this pure element, as it helps her to express her ideas and feelings.

Montse was kind enough to do a Q&A with me. She chatted about her work, jewellery and design, and much more.

Tell us about yourself, and your love affair with Jewellery.

I have always liked artistic work and throughout my life I have always experimented and worked with different materials.

Until a few years ago, when I came into contact with glass … and everything stopped. I knew that I had finally found my element. A pure material that allows me to express all of my ideas, in which I can reflect my dreams, and representing my illusions.

I love working with glass because it is still not widely used for jewellery. There is still lots of room for developing new ideas.

Glass allows you to explore different techniques like fused glass, flame work, etc and even create your own. Like for instance hand drawing your pieces, is a technique that I particularly like and I’m considered a specialist in.

When did you first realise you wanted to make Jewellery as a career?

To be honest, I still work in a multinational company during the day and with my jewellery at nights and weekends.

I realised after the first training I attended that all my passion and creativity has more potential through jewellery, rather than working for a multinational company.

 

 

 

As a designer, where do you draw your inspiration from?

I’m not sure where my inspiration comes from. In fact I think that is something that was always within me, fighting to see the light of day, and now finally can come out thanks to jewellery.

I’m the typical person that attends a serious meeting and cannot stop drawing and doodling. It’s my way of expressing myself, and sometimes it also helps me to relax and to concentrate, my mindfulness.

It’s a pity that nowadays drawing in meetings is not well perceived,  as creativity can open up thoughts and ideas.

How would you describe your designs?

Unique, in a sense that you will never see two of the same.

I don’t work with patterns, everything is handmade.

Depending on how I feel when I’m drawing, results will always be different.

So, you can like my designs or not, but you will definitely own a unique piece of jewellery.

 What is your favourite piece you’ve ever created?

I love drawing mandalas, there is something spiritual about them and the process.

When I have a stressful week the only way to calm down is to draw mandalas, while I’m listening to my favourite music. Bliss!

What are you currently working on?

I had a one week training course last year about flame work.

Now I’m working hard on improving my skills using this technique.

In particular I’m trying to include red roses inside my glass bead rings… it’s being quite challenging. However, I recognize that I love challenges and love finding the solution.

 

 

 What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a jewellery designer?

My advice is not only for those who are interested in getting into the jewellery, but also for those who are looking for a change, and for those who have a dream.

My advice is that you should never give up. Sometimes it’s really hard to fight against the conventions, sometimes you can feel tired, but each step you make, you will be closer to your dreams.

By following your dreams your life will be more enriched and fulfilling.