SCULPTURAL HANDMADE JEWELLERY
Each piece is one-of-a-kind and handmade in London. Inspired by scavenging for unique treasures, no two pieces are the same. Jelka creates the sculptural jewellery pieces by hand carving them out of wax first, after which they are cast in precious metal using the cire-perdue technique.
The designs are embellished by a selection of gemstones that depict the ‘lost and found’ treasures. The gems are set as if they have just been discovered. Some in between cracks, some askew, some embedded in the metal, and some are almost hidden.
INSPIRED BY MUDLARKING AND SCAVENGING
My fascination for treasure hunting and scavenging very much comes to live when I go mudlarking. Mudlarking is the urban equivalent of beachcombing. Historical treasures are being washed up on the foreshore of the Thames in London every day, waiting to be rediscovered.
The enjoyment of mudlarking is the search itself, the anticipation of finding something historical, surprising or out of the ordinary. I usually take a small selection of the treasures home as reference and inspiration for my artwork.