Tag: Melt

Jewellery Masters: Montse Salguero

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Montse Salguero at one of her stalls

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.

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Preparing to hand blow glass in her studio

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?

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Montse Salguero working on a glass bead

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?

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Sterling silver ring with blue flower glass orb

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?

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Hand drawn mandalas onto glass

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.

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Selection of sterling silver rings with different glass orbs and beads

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?

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Glass pendant with blown butterfly design

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.

You can find Montse’s talent and creativity at:

Website: http://www.cuquesdellum.cat/ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuquesdllum_glass/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cuquesdllum/

Jewellery Masters: Wendy Garver

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Wendy Garver

Wendy Garver

Wendy Garver is the Jewellery designer and owner of SilverWhimsies Jewelry. born in Albuquerque she now lives in Darnestown, maryland, usA. Originally a portrait painter, she began to realise that she desperately needed a change. over time she discovered her new passion and has never looked back.

Wendy’s influences for making jewellery come from everyday nature and life. Sculpting designs in her head as she sees shapes appearing from the molten silver. She loves to melt precious metal and take her creativity from the very raw essence of the metal. This liquid form can even be seen in her finished jewellery. Since there are beautiful curves, smooth corners and a free flowing movement present in all her work.

Sterling Silver Glass Ocean Earrings

Her stunning jewellery organically grows around the gemstones and never has a start or finish. Wendy loves to use traditional materials such as sterling silver and semi precious stones. However, she has a love for the ocean and all the colours within it. She manages to echo the beauty in the water and beach by using sea glass. Every piece is unique, translucent, rounded by nature and is set using her very skilled hands. She literally makes the glass come alive again, as it once was in the ocean. Shimmering and reflecting natural light in abundance.

Wendy 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.

Sterling Silver Wrap Over Ring

Before I discovered metal works I was a portrait painter. One day while putting the “final touches” on a painting for the thousandth time, I realized I was not enjoying what I was doing so I put the paint away. After going cold turkey from creating art my son suggested I take a class at our local community college. I studied the course catalogue and saw metalsmithing. I signed up and it was love at first torch.

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

Sterling Silver Multi Stone Bracelet

Learning the techniques of moving metal around really resonated with me and after 3 semesters I decided I’d make jewellery full time. I opened an Etsy shop then built a website then started applying to Arts and Craft Festivals. The shop started out slowly and the website drained my brain but having a booth at a festival really changed my world. I love doing shows; you meet so many creative and wonderful people. A piece of advice here, research the show before entering though; some of the shows are real stinkers.

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

I get asked a lot what inspires my designs. I am inspired by everything I see around me. Whether it’s nature, architecture or seeing something on T.V. I observe and look at everything with a designers eye.

When something pops out at me I wonder how I can turn that image into a piece of jewellery.

Sterling Silver Bar and Blue Glass Pendant

I mull it over for a bit then sit down at my bench and get to work.

The majority of my jewellery begins by melting down scrap or virgin silver. It is easier for me to create jewellery using this technique because I don’t need to worry about ruining a pristine piece of silver. This frees me up to see a design in the blob of silver; sort of like making images out of clouds. Once I see my minds eye image I get to work hammering and shaping the metal.

How would you describe your designs?

Sterling Silver Two Tone Metal Rings

There is nothing dainty about my work because there is nothing dainty about my technique. There are very few angles or hard edges in my jewellery; I like to keep things round and organic. Since I work a lot with sea glass my goal is to have the metal reflect the free flowing lines of the glass. Since no two pieces of sea glass are the same no two pieces of my jewellery are the same.

 

What is your favourite piece you’ve ever created?

Sterling Silver Two Tone Hoop Earrings

Of all the pieces of jewellery I’ve made I like the one I did last the most then I make another piece and that one becomes my favourite.

I love the process of creating something new so it’s hard for me to dwell on something I’ve already completed. The beauty in the piece of jewellery is not just in its finished form but in the artistic and creative process.

What are you currently working on?

Sterling Silver Triangle Glass Pendant

Currently I’m focusing on melting down my old gold jewellery and incorporating it into different pieces.

I’m also working with different metals like copper and brass. I always want to try something new and hope that it surprises my customers.

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

Sterling Silver Ocean Colour Dangle Earrings

If you’re interested in starting your own jewellery line my best advice is to acquire thick skin. You’ll have many disappoints but having patience is a must, a huge must.

Continue to look forward, set goals, stretch your skills to their limits and finally be positive about your experience.

Most importantly, never give up. 

 

You can find wendy’s talent and creativity at:

Sterling Silver Statement Blue Glass Bracelet

Website: https://www.silverwhimsiesjewelry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverwhimsies_jewelry/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/silverwhimsies

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loupylous/