Alessia Bruno

Desadorna

Jewellery maker

©Francesco Paolo Catalano

©Fabio Florio

©Francesco Paolo Catalano

©Fabio Florio

The nature of jewellery making

Alessia studied architecture before becoming a jewellery maker
She feels a deep connection with nature, which inspires her
She uses traditional techniques in her work

Alessia Bruno studied architecture at university, but she never really loved it. During her university years, she used to make little pieces of jewellery using metal wire. Without any technical expertise, she created simple rings that she sold to shops in her home town. Shortly after graduating, Alessia decided to take a class in the basic techniques of goldsmithing and fell in love with the craft, realising that she wanted to be a jewellery maker. After many years of study and apprenticeships, today she runs her own workshop in Palermo, where she produces simple yet beautiful jewellery inspired by natural elements such as insects, flowers, plants, leaves and marine flora.

Interview

©Francesco Paolo Catalano

©Francesco Paolo Catalano

Did you learn from a master?: I had several masters, not just one. They were very kind and helpful to me, but I showed them the same respect, too; I learned many different techniques from them, but I never copied anything. Every object I created came from my imagination.
Do you remember the first object you made?: Yes, it was a ring that I have been wearing for ten years. I gave it the name Ernesto, because its decoration draws inspiration from Ernesto Basile, one of the major exponents of Sicilian Art Nouveau.
What do you like most about Art Nouveau?: Art Nouveau uses curling lines and plant and flower shapes, and what I love most is this connection with natural elements, rather than the style itself. In each of my collections you will find these natural elements.
Could your craft be considered in danger?: Yes, absolutely. My work is very precarious; there’s nothing more ephemeral than jewellery. I have many competitors, especially from China. And sometimes I’m afraid of losing my creative drive and finding myself out of ideas.

Alessia Bruno is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2009