FLORENCIA GARGIULO: The Metal Jeweler

My name is Florencia Gargiulo, I studied industrial design at the University of Buenos Aires and I have dedicated myself to creating contemporary jewelry for the past thirteen years.

Since 2004 I have been transmitting techniques that are unique to crafting jewelry as well as other techniques that nurture the designs and possibilities of others.

My work in modern jewelry is focused on creating unique pieces through the designs found in shapes and the exploration of different techniques and their combination with the different colors that metals offer.

 ME AT WORK

THE BEGINNING

An industrial designer projects designs and another professional is tasked with bringing that design to fruition.

My great dilemma is that I enjoy both projecting and creating. I found in jewelry a place where I have control over every aspect of the process, both in regards to design and creation.

My search for designs and inspiration is thorough and my creative process is very long, once I have decided to create a piece, however, I sit down to work and finish in very little time.

DAILY ROUTINE

My typical work day begins by taking my children to school, returning to my house and reading and responding my emails from possible students who want to begin crafting.

I then go to my workshop and begin teaching classes. The classes are 2 hours 30 minutes in length which gives me enough time to lecture, design and begin constructing pieces. I typically teach up to three classes daily.

I live from my work and get great pleasure from working with creativity, designs, different materials, and different people. Social exchanges are fundamental and I enjoy my classes because I have the opportunity to pass onto others the skills that I have learned.

We work with silver, bronze, alpaca and gold. We also make rare alloys and Japanese alloys such as Shakudo, Shibuichi, and Shiroshibuichi. These alloys are mixtures of different metals in precise proportions that result in the natural oxidation of the metal and change the color.

We also work with alternative materials such as resin, rubber, leather, wood, stone and textiles. My work is essentially teaching and guiding the design and construction of jewelry, while ensuring that each student achieves his maximum potential and develops his own identity.

FINANCING

My workshop pays for itself and grants me the opportunity to create unique pieces and participate in exhibitions and competitions. I also plan events along with my students that allow us to showcase our work and sell our creations.

I believe that selling what one creates is essential when trying to grow and develop in this profession. 

WHITE GOLD RING

FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS

One of my favorite pieces is a bracelet that I planned for a very long time and finished constructing over a period of four days while I was moving into my new house.

I finished the bracelet in a corner of the new house, surrounded by boxes and since I had my workshop packed in boxes, I only had two tweezers, a jeweler’s saw, and various pieces of wood.

The bracelet was made so I could participate in SOFA New York for the Mobilia art gallery. The bracelet then went on to win an honorable mention in the “Bienal International Cheongju” in Korea a few years later. Carved entirely by hand from a piece of wood, the bracelet is made with sterling silver, shakudo and 18k gold.

Composed entirely of different links that fit together and compress when worn, the bracelet is unique in that it adjusts according to a persons’ wrist.

STERLING SILVER AND 18 K BRACELET

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

Saying that I have no tradition is to deny the origins of jewelry making, in reality I utilize everything that traditional jewelry making offers and incorporate those skills in making new pieces.

Innovation lies in being able to solve forms; morphology is my passion. Incorporating different techniques that are unrelated to jewelry to achieve new and innovative results is an important aspect of my work.

GOALS

My dream is to create a school that focuses on teaching jewelry making and where every form of art is taught in an unbiased way. I would like this school to foster interactions between any fields that contribute to art or jewelry making. 

Another great dream of mine is to own a showroom where I could sell my works and send them to any part of the world.

LEGACY: What advice would you give to an aspiring artisan?

Working in Jewelry offers an unexplainable satisfaction. From the very first contact with tools, metal and fire, it easy to fall in love; Patience and flexibility are crucial if you wish to succeed and if you work in a group, even more so. 

Music, tea, mate and communication are also important! 

MAKE A CALL TO WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR WORK

I would like to create a school that that teaches excellence when crafting traditional and contemporary jewelry and would be interested in any potential investors.

I would also like to commercialize our designs and have them available for sale in any part of the world.

CONTACT FLORENCIA GARGIULO

gargiulo.florencia@gmail.com

www.florenciagargiulo.com.ar

Facebook: Taller de metales clases de joyeria contemporánea. Buenos Aires - Argentina

PAULINA ARANGUIZ: The Essential Jeweler

My name is Paulina Aranguiz Montesi, and I am designer and goldsmith.

I am from the Los Andes región of Chile and have lived for the past eight years in the city of Quilpue where I have established my workshop.

I have been working as a goldsmith for the past fourteen years. My greatest passion and satisfaction is derived from experimenting and creating works with different types of materials. 

THE BEGINNING

Since I was a little girl I have always been interested by metals and tools. I used to create earrings and necklaces that I would then sell to my family members.

After graduating from school I studied graphic design and eventually goldsmithing at the Casa de Cultura in Viña del Mar, where I found my true passion.

FELTED SILVER AND COPPER NECKLACE

DAILY ROUTINE

My day begins early in the morning. Since I work independently I am able to make my own work Schedule. I typically dedicate two days a week to teaching classes and then devote the rest of the week to my clients and personal projects.

My sister, Sole, helps me in my workshop by preparing the materials while I take care of the design and finishing aspects of the job. I buy most of my materials such as gold and silver in Santiago and obtain the majority of my other materials (such as stones, fibers and Wood) from the South of Chile.

DESIGN PROCESS

FINANCING

My business is self sustaining  due to the classes that I teach, as well as the income that I generate through the sales of my products. 

FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS

It is difficult for me to decide or define what my principle product is due to the fact that I am always changing and evolving my creations. If it is necessary for me to name one, it would be the “Collar de Avellano Plata”, a silver necklace that was recognized with a seal for excellence at Artesania Chile 2009 by Unesco and the council of culture. 

HAZELNUT TREE NECKLACE

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

My pieces are crafted by hand and I incorporate various aspects of Chilean culture into them, fusing both contemporary and ethnic culture through the use of materials that I obtain from lakes, mountains, and beaches.

The result is a unique product that is urban and versatile yet at the same time mindful of traditions.

GOALS

The mere fact of having found goldsmithing is sufficient enough for me. My work has given me great personal satisfaction and has allowed me to achieve my objectives and attain various rewards.

LEGACY: What advice would you give to an aspiring artisan?

I hope to guide my students and help them achieve their own personal style while teaching them to express themselves and be innovative.

 

MAKE A CALL TO WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR WORK

I would like a center where artisans could come together and showcase our products to tourists located within the Los Andes region of Chile.

CONTACT PAULINA ARANGUIZ

paumontesi@gmail.com

MARIANA DAPPIANO: The Creative Stamps Fashion Designer

I am Mariana Dappiano, Palermo designer, from Buenos Aires.

My first collection was launched in the summer of 2001, from a recycled house located at the heart of Palermo Viejo.

My collections have had, since their begginings, a distinct seal: That being a specialization in the combination of textiles and textures. With these two elements, and the addition of the value added by creativity of innovative designs, I am able to create exquisite works.

I never doubted that I wanted to be a designer, yet I do not remember the first time that I considered it. I knew that I wanted to design things before I knew the career existed. I then studied at UBA and learned much by working my first years.

THE BEGINNING

My day to day is in itself a learning experience as I have been lately been living the experience of owning my own company. I am always seeking to create new things that pose aesthetic challenges.

My work is characterized by textiles, textures and colors, where one can clearly see the varying themes in each collection. The result is the use of fabrics in simple clothes that structurally complex.

Generally my collections can be combined with a wide variety of my other products, generating a relaxed but organic silhouette that highlights a woman with style and personality regardless of age. 

DAILY ROUTINE

I have breakfast with my family and generally devote the first two hours of my day to myself. I spent a great part of my day at my studio in Palermo designing alongside my team and exchanging ideas with other colleagues. There is always time to respond to interviews or highlight my brand.

I typically devote the last two hours of my work day on wedding dresses or custom fitted clothes. I then finish my day by spending time with my daughter or friends.

FINANCING

Since I opened my business in 2001 it has been largely self-sustainable. I have also obtained certain subsidies that have allowed me to grow and expand.

FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS

I place a lot of emphasis on dresses that have panaut stamps, made with gauze or jersey, as well as coats stamped matelasee or jacquard with lurex and combined shirts.

My collection refractado, is inspired by fractals and borrows not only their abstract variances, but also the different aspects found in nature.

FROM REFRACTADO COLLECTION

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

My strong point is combining different stamps. As a designer I ensure that they have similar color pallets, and that certain elements are shared by both pieces of clothing.

GOALS

I am always trying to create new things that pose new and challenges, both aesthetically as well as from a technical standpoint. My brand is characterized by its work in textiles and the themes of each collection are clearly visible through the use of my fabrics and textures.

FROM REFRACTADO COLLECTION

LEGACY: What advice would you give to an aspiring artisan?

I would advise any aspiring artisan to first work for a large corporation, to make mistakes and to learn how to work in a team. Afterwards, to stay true to your own ideas and style but to also be flexible and accept your mistakes. 

 

CONTACT MARIANA DAPPIANO

prensa@hungaracomunicacion.com
http://www.marianadappiano.com/

IRENE PALOMAR: The Selfmade Jeweler

My name is Irene Palomar. I have dedicated myself to contemporary jewelry since 2006. I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

ME AND MY CREATIONS

THE BEGINNING

I am a surveyor and after having worked as such for over thirty years, I decided to pursue my latent desire for art and express my vocation through creating jewelry.

A piece surges as the ultimate succession of my feelings and emotions and is in essence an expression of myself that wishes to be seen and communicate with others.

"LABERINTO" RING, FROM MARIDAGE COLLECTION

DAILY ROUTINE

I work independently for now. I obtain my materials through purveyors (silver, copper, wood), or from recycled objects (cartons and plastics).

MY STUDIO

FINANCING

During this initial stage I have personally financed my brand “Irene Palomar” and have advertised my works by participating in national and international expositions, fairs and art shows.

My chief concern and priority has been to become known through promoting my works.

"WHITE" RING, FROM MARIDAGE COLLECTION

FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS

Regarding my flagship product, it varies depending on my collections, and these collections are different every year according to what I desire to express and create.

"MATRICES" NECKLACE

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

My products incorporate traditional techniques and materials through my use of silver.

My use of plastics and other modern materials and their use in conjunction with traditional materials has enabled me to give innovative touches to my creations. 

It is under these guidelines that my latest collection, “Maridage”, with which I participated in the “Joya Barcelona 2012”, was created; each crafted silver piece was blended with plastic until a perfect combination was achieved. 

BRONZE BRACELET, FROM JAPANESE COLLECTION

GOALS

I would like to integrate this discipline with other arts in a cultural center that serves the community and fosters the diffusion of crafts and learning.

LEGACY: What advice would you give to an aspiring artisan?

That all goals are achieved by:

- The desire to do something we love

- Moving forwards in steps, sometimes slowly, but always consistently.

- Always trying to learn. Learning mimics our minds and gives us security and confidence for action.

- Knowing that there are always difficulties but that we must overcome them and regard them as achievements.

"FUENTE" RING, FROM VERTIENTE COLLECTION

MAKE A CALL TO WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR WORK

Each one of my works is an extension of myself. They express my feelings and emotions, and what I want most is to find someone who values them for the relationship that they convey between artisan and consumer.

CONTACT IRENE PALOMAR

www.joyeriadeautor.com.ar

irenepalomar@gmail.com

RAFAEL ALVAREZ: The Painter Jeweler

My name is Rafael Luis Alvarez and I am a jeweler, painter and physics profesor.

Since I first began working on jewelery, I decided to link design with painting, in such a way as to unite these two passions in a single artistic work.

From a technical standpoint, I’ve managed to link these two passions through the use of engraving. Through trial and error I`ve devised a method that I`ve named “Surface modeling”, which allows me to combine metals and obtain well defined figures that are on par with the results obtained from etching.

Jewelery and painting are passions that motivate me; I began studying them in 1990 and from 1992 until 1999 I systematically worked until I was able to establish my workshop. 

WORKING IN MY STUDIO

THE BEGINNING

I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I studied physics and began working with the intention of becoming independent. After 10 years of working as a teacher, I decided to study jewelry making, drawing and painting as a way with which to unite various different artistic traditions.

After many years of studying and working, I established my workshop and eventually developed my engraving technique known as “surface modeling” with which I craft the majority of my works. 

"NACIMIENTO" BROOCH, SILVER 925 AND COPPER

DAILY ROUTINE

I usually begin working at 9am by going to my workshop which is located in my house; I work alone and manage my workload according to the expectations and needs of my customers.

I typically purchase my materials from specialized shops or create them myself. Generally, I do not delegate responsibilites or work with others, save when time constraints demand it.

MY WORKSPACE

FINANCING

I finance myself through the sale of my works, but primarily through teaching lessons in my workshop to various students.

WORKING ON A BUCKLE DESIGN

FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS

My flagship product was born from my desire to link painting with jewelery, as well as the idea of adding texture and including different metals within a single piece.

The piece, a belt buckle named “En el Agua” which won first place at the “Salon de Artesania y Diseno de Berazategui” in 2008, is composed of various inter-twined shapes.

The most recent innovation in my product line is the belt buckle known as “Las Hojas” which is crafted in 925 silver and copper. 

"IN THE WATER" BUCKLE

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

I rescue from traditional jewelry making the process of working precious metals with traditional techniques.

With regards to my original designs, I believe that they represent a variant of traditional works with an air of innovation. 

"LAS HOJAS" BUCKLE

GOALS

I would like my work to be recognized both nationally and internationally, as well as to be able to exhibit my products and sell them to people in the art world.

To accomplish my goal I believe it is necessary for me to achieve a greater diffusion of my work, perhaps through specialized marketing or advertising.

LEGACY: What advice would you give to an aspiring artisan?

I would advise any aspiring artisan to focus strongly on techniques, but above all to stay true to their inner voice and expressive necessities.

WOODEN RING

MAKE A CALL TO WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR WORK

Esteemed owner of a store or gallery, I would like to introduce you to an artisanal argentine product that is crafted with care and innovation; with a particular care for the technical as well as a uniquely personal touch.

I would like for you to appraise my work and value its merits and possibilities in the market.

CONTACT RAFAEL ALVAREZ

rafaelluisalvarezm@yahoo.com.ar
http://www.rafaelluisalvarez.com.ar/

FABIANA GADANO: The Innovative Jeweller

I am an industrial designer from Argentina, 1963; I live and work in Buenos Aires.

I have dedicated myself to artistic and contemporary jewelry for the past twenty-two years. I design collection pieces that are unique and original as well as teach jewelry classes in my workshop; both of these activities give me great pleasure and professional satisfaction.

Contemporary Jewelry is a creative field that allows me to fuse in my creations artistic restlessness with age old techniques, and thus interact socially with my artwork as a medium through which I express the meaning of my work.

When teaching, my objective is focused on maximizing the possibilities and bringing out the best in each student.

DEVELOPING H2O

THE BEGINNING

After obtaining my title in industrial design from UNLP in 1987, and having previously completed studies on art, I decided to specialize in contemporary and artistic jewelry by attending various workshops in Argentina and abroad throughout the span of twenty three years.

My current specialization in jewelry is a product of my previous contact with the textile and dressmaking industry. My initial incursion into the world of personal accessories eventually led me to my main activity, jewelry making.

At first I began by using existing or recycled materials and components from other industries and then moved on to processing my own metals and creating my own unique works. My search for artistic elements within jewelry led to each piece developing its own message and transformed them into functional pieces of art.

DEVELOPING "ESTEROS" LINE

DAILY ROUTINE

My day is divided equally between teaching and designing jewelry. For both activities I work alone and do not delegate responsibilities or share my workload with others.

When working on original jewelry each day is laden with both hope and anguish seeing as though the creative process is filled with uncertainty and difficulties. 

These feelings are not, however, present when I teach since my role as a teacher turns me into a facilitator and a source of information from where my students can polish their ideas and assuage their anxieties pertaining to their works.

After spending my morning teaching, I spend the afternoon working on my own projects and focus on achieving the greatest amount of work possible within my reach.

The materials that I use for each piece depend on the message that I am trying to convey and vary accordingly.

TEACHING

FINANCING

My workshop is maintained with the fixed income that I receive from teaching. 

Occasionally my income is supplemented by the erratic sales of my own creations.

This method of working gives me the liberty to develop whatever projects I find interesting and enables me to choose those that give me the greatest experience in my occupational development.

FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS

My flagship product is the H20 collection.

The idea for it was born from the restlessness and desire to use recycled materials for making jewelry. I therefore developed a collection of pieces that incorporated plastic from water bottles in an attempt to bring attention to the sanitary conditions of our planet as well as the indiscriminate and irresponsible use of disposable synthetic materials.

The H20 collection therefore alludes to the natural resource of water because it is made from plastic containers that housed water and evokes different manifestations of the element. I highlight this collection because it marks an important milestone in my work.

The H20 collection is significant because it carries an extremely important message regarding our current ecological situation while at the same time maintaining artistic poetry.

My first sketches of the collection were created during a seminar dictated by two Japanese professors, Jiro Kamata and Sayumi Yokouchi. After hearing their lectures I decided to work on the collection during the summer of 2012 and won the “Premio Adquisición del XI Salón Diario La Capital” from the “Museo Castgnino” in Rosario Argentina.

H2O COLLECTION: DETAIL OF "HIELO" NECKLACE

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

All my pieces respect the unique characteristics of each material that I utilize. 

After masterfully processing and working the materials with traditional techniques they all showcase the possibilities that each material allows. In this sense I maintain the traditional dogmas of artisanal jewelry making.

However, I do stray by proposing innovative and modern configurations that utilize unorthodox materials and combining them with traditional materials that allow me to add conceptual content and convey messages through my work.

"TELARES" BRACELET

GOALS

I would like to expand my contact with cultural institutions and liaisons that would allow me to display my work.

At a national level, I would like to spread the classes that I teach in my workshop through the work of my students. 

I currently have various pieces that are essentially ready to be displayed but lack the support from institutions in regards to transportation and insurance.

I would also like to display my pieces in foreign countries and it is towards this goal that I am mainly working for by entering my works in competitions and publications.

LOOM PENDANT

LEGACY: What advice would you give to an aspiring artisan?

I would advise any artists to not let themselves be defeated by moments of doubt and anxiety. We all have those moments, but we must overcome them and trust that whatever we do with passion will eventually be worthwhile, and that the first benefit of perseverance is the realization of all of our dreams.

MAKE A CALL TO WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR WORK

I would like my interview to be seen by Ursula Ilse-Neuman, curator of jewelry in the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.

Dear Ursula Ilse-Neuman,

It would be of great importance for my development as a professional if you could please take a look at the pieces of contemporary jewelry that I create. 

Your opinions and advice on achieving greater notoriety in terms of my work would be extremely important and a great help, especially in my capacity as a teacher. I have attached contact portfolios. Thank you very much for your time and help.

Kindest Regards,

Fabiana Gadano

CONTACT FABIANA GADANO

info@fabianagadano.com.ar

http://www.klimt02.net/jewellers/fabiana-gadano

www.fabianagadano.com.ar