Jewellery designer Annukka Puotiniemi’s artistic, bold pieces stem from her Finnish roots, and she regularly makes use of Argentium Silver and natural elements in her designs. Find out more about Annukka, Cooksongold’s Designer of the Month for July 2016, in the following interview where she spoke to us about her time in the jewellery making industry…
Let us know a bit about yourself, detailing your background, study and training in the jewellery making industry.
I was born in Tuusula, Finland. I lived in Finland until the age of 21, when I moved to England. I have a degree in Communication Processes, and I have just recently qualified as a nurse.
After the birth of my son, Nico, in 2004, I slowly but surely discovered that I had an artistic side as well as a theoretical one. I began experimenting with jewellery making, painting and drawing.
I moved back to Finland on Christmas Eve 2012. In 2013, I took a short community college course in silversmithing, and a true love affair began. A turning point in my jewellery making career came in late 2015, when I was invited to study in the US under a very experienced goldsmith. I spent 3 weeks in Washington DC and in New Mexico, learning more about my beloved craft.
Tell us about your work – are there any particular materials or techniques that you favour?
I enjoy experimenting with metal and I’m comfortable with many traditional techniques, such as hand carving and Keum Boo. Natural stones and interesting textures feature in some of my pieces, which brings an element of the natural to my work.
I prefer to work in Argentium Silver, despite its many quirks, and in high carat golds.
How would you best describe your design style?
My design style definitely gets influenced by my Finnish background; clean lines and bold statements seem to find their way to all of my pieces. I like asymmetrical and unusual designs that are functional as everyday jewellery objects. As a new jewellery designer I am still finding my style, and I guess that my style will always keep evolving.
As a jewellery maker, where do you like to get your inspiration from for your pieces?
I’m inspired and influenced by Scandinavian and Germanic design and engineering. I like to look at classical jewellery pieces, as well as modern ones. A lot of my designs stem from simple sketched forms; I may simply draw lines on a notebook page on my daily commute to work. If a particular combination of lines pleases my eye, then a design element will emerge from it.
Do you have a piece that you have made which you favour or are particularly proud of?
I’m particularly fond of a ring (below) that I recently made with Argentium Silver and Australian Chrysoprase. In fact, I liked it so much, that I made a matching pendant (also below) and earrings too.
Matching Argentium Silver and Australian Chrysoprase Ring and Pendant Set
What is the one item in your jewellery making workshop that you could not live without?
There are so many to choose from! My absolute favourite hand tool is my German forming pliers; they are a necessity when forming thick bezels for stone setting. From my bigger tools I would have to say my rolling mill; it gives me so much freedom in manipulating metal.
What upcoming trends do you see being popular soon?
I see big and bold designs becoming ever more popular. Mass produced jewellery has taken such a big hold of the industry, but I see the appreciation for quality craftsmanship on the rise.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt from your time in the jewellery making industry?
Those with decades of bench experience are the ones to listen to. I have learned so very much from watching and listening to experienced goldsmiths. It’s all those small everyday hints and tips, only gained by years at the bench, that will make all the difference to your work.
Do you have any particular advice that you would give to up and coming jewellery designers, or someone interested in getting into jewellery making?
Work, work, and work! Always push yourself to become better, step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and never give up. I have days and weeks when nothing seems to go right, and I just feed my scrap pot. That’s when I keep trying even harder, and eventually something wonderful will emerge. If you can, practice every single day, and read all the books you can get your hands on.
…and finally, time for a bit of fun in our quick fire round! Tell us your favourite…
…gemstone: Diamond! From the more affordable, everyday range my absolute favourite is rutilated quartz.
…food: Pizza
…sport: Ice hockey
…film: True Romance
…city: London
For more details on Annukka’s work you can visit her website here, or alternatively feel free or to check out her Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.
If you would like to be featured as Cooksongold’s Designer of the Month, we would love to hear from you! More details on this opportunity can be found here on our website.
Cooksongold