The buzz behind contemporary Slovenian jewellery
- Kristina received numerous accolades for her jewellery designs
- She is the co-founder of Juvelirij, a jewellery design studio in Ljubljana
- Her creations are inspired by insects and plant motifs
Kristina Drnovšek, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana, honed her goldsmithing skills in Martina Obid Mlakar's workshop and attended a one-year course at Metallo Nobile in Florence. She embarked on an independent creative journey in 2020 and is now gaining recognition for her nature-inspired bespoke creations featuring intricate insect and plant motifs. She frequently showcases her work in exhibitions in Slovenia and abroad. In recognition of her talent, Kristina received the Designers Society of Slovenia's Recognition Award for young designers in 2022 and was named Best Young Designer at Slovenian Jewellery Week in 2024. In 2023, she co-founded Juvelirij, a jewellery design studio in Ljubljana, with her colleagues Sanda Vidmar and Peter Dragolič.
Interview
- What is your educational background?
- Slovenia lacks specialised schools for jewellery design. After finishing my studies, I found a mentor in the talented designer Martina Obid Mlakar, who taught me basic goldsmithing skills and encouraged me to pursue further training at a goldsmith school in Florence.
- Do you remember the moment when you first thought of picking up this craft?
- It is hard to say there was just one moment that led me down this path. My passion for art and design has always been present. I discovered my love for jewellery making during my studies, where I experimented with various materials, but I consistently found myself drawn to designing jewellery above all else.
- What would you suggest to a young artisan wanting to follow in your footsteps?
- There are several paths to jewellery design, and those who are really interested will find their own. All you need to do is persevere, learn from your mistakes, experiment and explore. But what truly matters is to approach it with all your heart.
- Is there something about your work that people tend not to know?
- I often find it incredibly challenging to detach myself from certain jewellery pieces that I design, particularly those that are unique and have demanded significant time and effort. These are typically pieces created for special exhibitions.
Kristina Drnovšek is a rising star: she began her career in 2020
Works
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Kristina Drnovšek
