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| Photo by: Stacey Bentley Photography |
When did you decide to become a contemporary jeweler?
I’ve been creating and selling jewellery for 14 years, and teaching jewellery making skills & techniques through university lecturing and in Adult Education for over 10 years. I studied at Loughborough University achieving a BA Hons in Silversmithing and Jewellery and an MA Dis in Art and Design Studio Practice.
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| Kate Bajic Arte para vestir, no sólo para admirar |
Your designs take us to the a wild and primitive nature. Does it have any relation with leaving and working in the countryside?
Yes, I live in a village in Leicestershire in the East Midlands, my rural location heavily influences my work. Inspiration has always come from studying natural structures, I walk a lot in the countryside surrounding my studio to research and photograph the lichens which inspire my jewellery. Their diversity offers a rich source of design material and I collect samples whenever possible to allow me to examine their shape and form more closely.
Your work is based on metal and steel. Do you use other materiales in your creations?
I have experimented with porcelain, glass and textiles in my jewellery. For my Lichenology brooches I cast pieces of reindeer moss in porcelain and created silver mounts for them, I have laser cut felt to combine with metal in my work and more recently I’ve worked with a scientist at University of Lincoln to create glass casts of burying beetle crypts which I have developed into wearable jewellery.
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| Broches de fieltro cortado a laser |
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| Broche “Cripta” (2016) Realizado con vidrio molido, huesos de ratón, cobre y plata. |
Digo esto, sin estar en contra de hacer uso de la tecnología en combinación con las habilidades tradicionales, y comprendo que por propósitos prácticos y de coste, producir en serie es muy efectivo. Pero no es el camino que deseo para mi ni para mi trabajo.
Do you design and create each piece? What do you think of producing in bulk?
Making and creating gives me great pleasure, I like to work directly with materials and see what evolves rather than drawing out designs. It’s important to me to take time to hand make my work as the process gives me pleasure and I think that being able to do a job you love is very important to your wellbeing. Creating something which has been beautifully made and finished gives a great sense of pride and achievement, which is only heightened when that piece is purchased by someone who recognises the work and love that has gone into it. In saying that I’m not averse to using technology in combination with traditional skills and for practical and cost purposes producing in bulk can be very effective. It’s not a path I would choose for myself or my work though.
¿Qué opiniones has recibido del publico?
Las personas me han dicho que mi trabajo es arte a pequeña escala, es un halago precioso. Me da gusto cuando las personas aprecian mis diseños, pero sobre todo es muy importante que funcionen como joyas portables, deberían vestirse, no sólo admirarse.
What kind you opinions do you receive from people?
People have said to me before that my work is like small scale art, I think that’s a lovely compliment and I’m delighted people appreciate the designs I create, but it’s important to me that the pieces also work as wearable jewellery, they should be worn not just admired.
What is next in Kate Bajic collection?
To keep developing and evolving my designs and ideas.
To expand my current jewellery collection to include more gold vermeil pieces.
To have an online shop available on my website by Christmas 2017.
To prepare for 2018 shows and exhibitions.
