Twinkling with precision and colour
- Dalia works on jewellery pieces until they 'come to life'
- The quality of the final piece is of paramount importance to her
- She draws inspiration from nature and people
Dalia Varnaitė combines precious stones and metals in her jewellery creations. Her pieces feature both amber, the national mineral of Lithuania, and ornaments of various cultures. Born and raised in Rokiškis, a small town in Lithuania, Dalia completed her jewellery studies in the faculty of the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Telšiai, and lived briefly in the capital, before returning to her homeland. She regularly takes part in international competitions and exhibitions, working with clients both from Lithuania and further afield. Once, a piece of jewellery she made with gilded silver and amber was bought by the Lithuanian Presidency as a gift for Empress Michiko of Japan.
Interview
- How did you become interested in jewellery?
- From a very young age, I liked to draw miniatures – bugs, ants, butterflies. I graduated from art school and chose to continue my studies in art. When I went to Telšiai, I had not chosen my specialty yet. But I saw the drawings, sketches, and works of jewellers, and I was immediately very impressed by them.
- What is most important to you when working?
- For me, the most important thing is the quality of the work and the result. Sometimes, if I feel that a piece is 'dead' and I am not satisfied with the quality of the work, even if I have been working on it for a month, I will just destroy it, and start again. I also think it is important to make a living out of making art.
- What is your source of inspiration?
- Most of the time it is the person for whom I am making the jewellery. Sometimes, it is a gemstone I like, which can then dictate the design of future pieces. Nature is also a big source of inspiration.
- What qualities do you need to have when making jewellery?
- I think one of the most important qualities is discipline and patience. I have strict working hours. I go to work at the same time every day. Even if I cannot create anything and I do not have any ideas, I just set up the workshop, and then, just by being in that environment, inspiration comes.
Dalia Varnaitė is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1998
Where
Dalia Varnaitė
