Jewellery designer Maria Savva uses her background in printmaking to influence her work, and likes to use a mixture of patterns and texture when making her pieces. Read the following Designer of the Month interview to learn more about Maria, her jewellery designs and more.
Let us know a bit about yourself, detailing your background, study and training in the jewellery making industry.
My background in art started quite late when I studied History of Art at Birkbeck College in 2002. I then went on to do a Fine Art and Printmaking course at the City Lit in Holborn. This led me to try a jewellery making course, and further to study for a City and Guilds Structured Jewellery course. I continue my jewellery studies, taking various masterclasses e.g. experimental enamelling with Jessica Turrell and resin jewellery with Kathy Murphy. At present, I am doing a Develop your Design and Making course at the City Lit.
Tell us about your work – are there any particular materials or techniques that you favour?
All my pieces are individually designed and made using traditional silversmithing techniques. I work primarily with sterling silver, sometimes having pieces gold plated or using keum boo.
My work reflects my background in printmaking, and also my love for textiles and wallpaper design. What I like about them is the repeating pattern and geometric shapes. I’m interested in stained glass windows for the same reasons, and the colours and the contrasts they create e.g. translucent and opaque, fragile yet strong at the same time.
I introduce surface pattern and texture into my work either with the rolling mill or etching techniques. I like to create contrast with different textures or surface finishes in my work, plus the fusion of antique and contemporary.
How would you best describe your design style?
I think my jewellery is wearable, elegant and sophisticated, but quite contemporary at the same time.
As a jewellery maker, where do you like to get your inspiration from for your pieces?
I love textiles, particularly lace and prints from the 30’s and 50’s. Also, Victorian wallpaper designs such as those from William Morris – I use these in my work by photo etching and roller printing.
Do you have a piece that you have made which you favour or are particularly proud of?
I am particularly proud of a chain I made as part of the City and Guilds course. This was also entered for the V&A “Inspired By….” exhibition.
What is the one item in your jewellery making workshop that you could not live without?
There are quite a few things really, but if I had to pick one it’s a piercing saw frame, I have the Knew Concepts one.
What upcoming trends do you see being popular soon?
CAD seems to be the way forward, not that I have used this as yet!
What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt from your time in the jewellery making industry?
It’s counterproductive trying to taking short cuts to save time, and one needs to be patient and hone the basic skills before trying to make really advanced pieces.
Do you have any particular advice that you would give to up and coming jewellery designers, or someone interested in getting into jewellery making?
It is a very competitive industry and quite difficult to make a living in it. But just do it for the love of it and because you enjoy the creative process, and hopefully things will fall into place.
…and finally, time for a bit of fun in our quick fire round! Tell us your favourite…
…film – When Harry Met Sally
…sport – yoga
…city – London
…place – home
…colour – blue
For more details on Maria’s work feel free to visit her website here or take a look at her Facebook page.
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