Eglė Čėjauskaitė-Gintalė

Jewellery maker

©Martynas Gintalas

©Egle Spark

When jewellery embodies emotion

Eglė draws strength from the past and her ancestry
She uses modern techniques to create timeless jewellery
Intuition and emotion are visible in every piece

By creating intuitively, Eglė Čėjauskaitė-Gintalė is able to make work that is extraordinarily human. Her pieces of jewellery speak of the most important moments in the wearer’s life; they embody myriad personal memories and feelings. As a result, her jewellery is far more than just decoration, it is intended to become important to the wearer. It also has a deep connection to the past. With her works, Eglė aims to makes us feel that we are all the continuation of our ancestors, and impress upon us the importance of keeping in touch with the land where we grew up and the people who shaped us.

Interview

©Egle Spark

©Egle Spark

How did it all start?: Just after I started my studies at art college, I knew right away that I wanted to make jewellery and I wanted to make my living from that. I always saw working with metal as a miracle; it's simply bliss.
Do you use any specific techniques?: Technology and technique are not the most important things to me. It's more about the feeling and thought behind it. You envisage the work in your mind and then you try to find the best technique to create it. Of course, at first it is difficult to master a new technique, but when you do, it rewards you.
What inspires you?: The past. I am deeply connected to my ancestors; their wisdom, their knowledge is extremely important to me. I am very close to my homeland, to the women of my family, to the knowledge they have accumulated over several generations.
What is most important to you in your profession?: To recognise a person as a personality. It makes me happy to create something that brings them comfort. I am very empathetic; I experience my clients' stories deeply. I try to create work while remembering the emotion and the energy they brought.

Eglė Čėjauskaitė-Gintalė is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2001