I would like to let you in on a little secret. One of the reasons I became a silversmith was because I wanted to prove a person wrong. Well I’ve always been the kind of child that made things out of paper, cardboard, sticks, stones – you name it – anything I could find. But it actually took me so much by surprise that this person didn’t believe in my skills – I just had to prove him wrong.

I had spent my 2 weeks summer placement (I was about 17) at a jeweller and scuplturer, learning how to make silver jewellery, when this add for a new jewellery apprentice was in the paper. I had really enjoyed my work-placement, got a great statement from the jeweller and had a really good portfolio of jewellery pieces, ceramic objects and drawings to show the goldsmiths. I applied and was accepted for an interview with him. But when I got there and showed him all my work – he told me he didn’t believe I had actually made it all myself.

I was soo disappointed.

And of course I didn’t get the apprenticeship – luckily I say now, because I would never have discovered the wonderful world of silversmithing if I had.

So, what does a silversmith do? Well, I make silverware – meaning pouring vessels or jugs, trays, dishes, bowls, candle sticks and other functional objects for the table – in silver. I make it all myself, from scratch. This means that I actually also sometimes cast my own silver sheets and roll it out on my very old rolling mill.

Here’s a film of me making a piece.

I have a fascination with silver. The fact that I can use recycle my scrap silver (the little pieces I cut or file away) by smelting it and casting new sheets dovetails well with todays focus on eco-friendly recycling practices.

Silver has an amazing malleability. Imagine: you start out with flat two-dimetional circular sheet, and through many rounds of raising (hammering the metal over a stake of iron) it becomes a three-dimentional bowl. Don’t even get me started on the amazing forms and structures; constructions you can make by soldering pieces together!

I could write a lot about my fascination with silver and how much it inspires me, and I’m doing just that (amongst other things) on the blog.

Some background info: I have a Masters degree from the Royal College of Art in London and before that a Bachelor’s degree from Konstfack University in Stockholm. I’ve been a professional silversmith since 2003, until 2007 in London, were I also taught, mainly in the design process and how to make a portfolio for applying to a design college.

My work is exhibited in danish & international galleries, and I have a studio & workshop in Aarhus, Denmark.

Download my CV here, for all the details on my Awards, Prizes, Exhibitions and much more…