Introduction :
Semi-precious stone jewellery combines beauty and symbolism. Today, we embark on a journey to discover a passionate creator who transforms these stones into unique pieces, filled with emotions and energy. She shares with us her journey, her inspiration, and her expertise.
Introduction and journey
- Can you tell us about your journey and what led you to create costume jewellery?
I have always worked in the field of commerce and I am the mother of two young girls who love jewellery. What led me to create two and a half years ago started from a simple accessory I wanted... a bookmark. I am an avid reader and I already have some, but I wanted one with Labradorite beads on it. I had a specific idea in mind and after searching and not finding it, I ended up ordering the materials and making it myself. It was an idea that was well received as these were the very first creations that came to life for Les Perles de Less. My passion for stones is known to many in my circle, so I started receiving requests for custom jewellery, according to specific desires or needs, which allowed me to reach more people, develop my creations, pursue my passion, and share my knowledge with them.
- What attracted you to semi-precious stones in particular?
I am very interested in geology, mineralogy, and everything related to the Earth and its history in general; it is something that has fascinated me since I was little. Knowing how they form, under what conditions, their composition, the reasons for their colours, their origins, and all the characteristics unique to each of the different stones that exist. The Earth has shaped for us true wonders.
- Did you have any specific training or are you self-taught in this field?
I am self-taught, I enjoy creating based on what inspires me, learning by myself and through sharing with others. I have completed a training course in lithotherapy which was very interesting and enriching, but I also learn a great deal from books because I love to learn every day and I am very curious about what surrounds us.
Inspiration and creativity
- Where do you draw your inspiration for your creations?
From nature, as I am fortunate to live very close by, but also from my collection of minerals that I love to observe and often use to accompany my creations in photos. Making jewellery with stones is for me a way to show people the beauty of our Earth, of what surrounds us, the different shades of colour of a stone, the shapes, their history; everything is unique to each one of them just as it is to each of us. Wearing stone jewellery is to carry a bit of the history of our planet.
- Is there a stone that you prefer to work with? If so, which one, and why?
Oui, j’en ai 2 qui sont la Labradorite et le Cristal de roche. D’ailleurs j’en possède beaucoup dans ma collection.
Labradorite because it enchants me, it has shades of colour in its spectrum that can be incredible but also because it is a stone that has helped me, I think, to learn about myself, to soothe my hypersensitivity, to protect myself, to sort through the emotions I feel, and to distinguish between things in certain situations.
Le Cristal de roche
parce qu’il représente la roche mère de notre jolie planète, une certaine
pureté quand on le touche et qu’on le regarde, comme une sensation qu’il
apporte de la lumière, de la clarté et de plus c’est un bon amplificateur
d’énergies.
- Are your creations influenced by a particular culture, trend, or historical period?
I am drawn to what is very ancient, whether it be places, ancient peoples, regardless of the culture, because everyone has their story to share; there is something sacred about it for me. The stones are the history of our planet and even when reshaped by man, they are still very, very old. For the small collection of crosses at Isula Créa, I was greatly inspired by its location next to the beautiful Saint John the Baptist church in an old part of the city, a superb place, but also by the shop itself where one feels energetically well upon entering. There is this little "sacred" aspect that I place a lot of importance on.
- How do you manage to balance aesthetics and symbolism in your jewellery?
J’aime assembler les perles pour que le bijou dégage une certaine harmonie tout en ayant une belle cohésion énergétique et esthétique.
In symbolism, there is that which I bring to them by assembling the stones according to their virtues and their colours, but the true symbolism for me comes from the clients.
I will take an example of simple macramé made with red thread. They may look like simple red threads, but they actually have a great and profound meaning. I have been commissioned to make them for various reasons, but one of the main ones was for protection. Then, it was requested for the bond between a mother and her child, and between friends. This red macramé was also requested to help people with lateralisation issues. As small and simple as it is, its symbolism is very important.
Creation processes
- Can you describe the steps involved in creating a piece of jewellery, from the initial idea to the final product?
I buy all my small findings and natural pearls separately from my suppliers, who are mainly located in France and sell stones from around the world. I am quite particular about the quality of the materials and pearls I use. They are carefully selected to provide you with a beautiful piece of jewellery or accessories that are entirely handmade. When I want to create a new collection, I always make a first model to test the materials and their durability. I want it to be unique and to last, whether it is worn daily or occasionally. Like any piece of jewellery, it needs to be cared for; otherwise, it loses its shine.
- How long does it typically take to create a piece?
For the time, the creation time varies depending on what I am making, but it can take around 20 minutes for bracelets, earrings, bookmarks, and necklaces (in stainless steel) to several hours for stone setting in macramé. Macramé jewellery takes me between 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on whether it's bracelets or necklaces.
To be continued...