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| 24K Gold Plated Bulwa Ring |
Complete with “a maze of tunnels and hallways, towers and
rooms,” Poland’s Malbork Castle is a
visual wonder.
Built during the 13th
century it is a portal through time into the “lifestyle of the Teutonic
Knights.” Poland is also home to
featured jewelry designer Karolina Bik.
I grow tired of seeing some independent jewelry brands reach
for those been-there-done-that designs.
In my opinion four leaf clovers, hearts, stars and crosses do not
require any creative investment from the designer.
Bik’s expressive handmade jewelry is a testament that unique
vision takes precedence over the tried-and-true. The prolific twenty-nine-year-old draws
inspiration from nature, the Theory of Chaos, and Superman to produce jewelry
that is vivid and unexpected yet always beautiful.
Twenty four karat gold vermeil, oxidized and fine silver
become bubbled surface textures and craggily outlines. They evolve into distressed almost brittle, blackened
roughhewn patterns.
Educated at the Edinburgh
College of Art, the one-time public relations major adored red beads “made
from an ash tree” her grandmother gave her.
It was a simple gift that ignited a passion for jewels; a passion that
would culminate into a need to create.
“I love sitting in my studio and immersing myself in
creating. I have reached a point where I
cannot imagine a life without creating.
I wake up thinking about jewelry.
I eat with it, obviously work with it and then dream about it.”
Like a dutiful student her white and gray cat Queso perches
on Bik’s shoulder as she sits at her workbench.
To me Bik’s jewelry declares that commerce should come as a result of
true art; commerce should never trump art.
“The most exciting moment for me is the making of . . .
thinking about solutions and possibilities.
Then seeing a finished piece is such a fulfilling feeling. The best of the best moments is seeing people
wearing my jewelry. This is true
happiness.”
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| 24K Gold Plated Honeycomb Bracelet |
2014 Jewelry Trend Alert: Bik’s
fresh approach to design is inspired by the variety of forms found in nature. This freedom of expression is a surprising
style trend for the year.
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