Lamia Saab Amundsen

Jewellery maker

Wearable sculptures

Lamia produces unique and eccentric pieces of jewellery
She enjoys crafting rings and likes to freely create her own designs
She is inspired by the Swedish silversmith Wiwen Nilsson

Jewellery was not the path Lamia Saab Amundsen was supposed to follow. She was studying languages at university when, suddenly, she fell in love with a friend’s rings. At that point, “slowly but surely, I found myself loving the craft too and changed my degree to applied arts. I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, in Jewellery Art," says Lamia. After she graduated, she took a few years off to travel around Europe and to perfect her craftsmanship and artistic skills. Then, after some time travelling, she fell in love with Scandinavia, where she is still working and residing. “One day I realised it was time make my own designs," she explains. Since that day, she has been designing big, bulky pieces inspired by minimalist designs and bold jewellery.

Interview

How did you end up as a jewellery designer?: It is curious. I was not interested in or wore any jewellery for a long time. I stumbled upon the craft through the arts and just loved using my hands to express myself. Being able to build small wearable sculptures from scratch fascinated me.
Which materials do you use?: Many people are not familiar with the craft professions and are inclined to call me a silversmith because I work a lot in silver. Whereas I am a trained goldsmith and artist that uses a mix of metals, sometimes even non-precious ones.
Is there a particular object you design often?: I love rings. For my first group jewellery exhibition in Stockholm, I created a series of three bulky illusion-rings made of silver, gold, diamond-chips, mabé pearls and neon-coloured plastic. In my profession we also get to make many wedding rings, I like it best when clients allow me to design freely.
Have you considered training apprentices?: I have trained one apprentice from scratch and a few students from jewellery schools for shorter periods. Teaching is very satisfying; I have loved watching the apprentices grow and develop.

Lamia Saab Amundsen is a master artisan: she began her career in 1982 and she started teaching in 1999