World Artisan Gems

Laeya

Name: Tihana Rukavina (a.k.a Ignis)

Website Link: http://www.ignis-art.info/

Where are you located? Rijeka, Croatia (Europe)

Tell us a bit about yourself: My name is Tihana Rukavina but in the online world I chose to go by the nickname “Ignis.”  I was born on the 7th of December 1980 in the city of Rijeka (Croatia/Europe). As a result of my formal education I currently have a title of B. Sc. in both information and education science. Perhaps my formal education would be different if I discovered my passion for jewelry making earlier in my life. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to take a part in any kind of art/craft education but I do hope of being able to change this fact in the future.

When did you begin designing jewelry/art? I was always creative in many ways. As a teenager I used to make myself necklaces but at that point I still didn’t realize what meaning jewelry making will carry for me in the future. Somewhere in the year 2003 I discovered that field of jewelry making is one of my greatest life passions. At first I was attracted to polymer clays but soon I found myself interested in other mediums. Soon after that I became aware of wire and since then I am pretty much enchanted by it. Even today when my interest shift to something new in the domain of jewelry making the wire remains my  favorite medium  to work with. I suspect that will not change in the future.

What made you choose this type of art? The pure fact that the act of jewelry making gives me pleasure and tremendous feeling of calm. To me, the act of jewelry making is a sort of meditation. I lose the sense of myself and I lose the sense of time while working on my pieces. I just feel the tremendous peace and I’m very content. Therefore, I’m rather sure I have found myself a true companion in life. 

Flowerescent

What do you make? I make all sorts of one of a kind pieces of jewelry (necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings etc.). I also found myself in a situation where a lot of my clients are brides. So often I find myself making bridal jewelry. Most often the brides want me to make them one of a kind hair pieces. But I will do any kind of custom piece if someone contacts me (of course, if available supplies and tools allow me to do it).  And I love a challenge. Making new pieces inspires me. I don’t like making several identical pieces. I love making one of a kind pieces.

What materials and methods do you use? At the moment I use several kinds of wire. Most of the times I use copper wire galvanized with silver, stainless steel wire etc. I would be using sterling and fine silver wire if it was easier to get it here in Croatia. But at the moment that is not possible so I had to order some from USA. Besides wire I love using glass and glass beads of all sorts but often I find myself using chech glass. I also have huge love (obsession almost)  with semiprecious and precious stones. So my collection is always growing . Sometimes I also use natural stones that can be found on the beach etc. Since most often I’m using wire I tend to use a variety of techniques from the field of wire working. I special enjoy the wire wrapping technique. But I’ll use any technique that allows me to make the piece I want. I also have to state I’m tremendously attracted to the field of traditional silver/goldsmithing. So some new techniques from this domain should soon be seen in my work. 

Where do your design inspirations come from? I would love to say that I draw my inspiration from something specific but most often I am inspired by the process of jewelry making itself. I sometimes joke my pieces tend to make themselves. I often take my pliers and wire and then allow my pieces to evolve as I am working on them. Seldom I am taking my pliers and wire to make something specific that I envisioned earlier. I don’t have problem with ideas, I have problems with so many of them rushing inside my mind. I often see in my mind’s eye complete pieces of jewelry and then I take little piece of paper and sketch my ideas so I don’t  forget them. I have a full draw of sketches. Yet I am aware of the fact then when I take my pliers out, I will make something that is in my head at that precise moment.

Florzinha

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? Definitely my home. I love the fact I can take out my wire and pliers and make something whenever I feel like it. But it would be nice to have a room full of my tools and supplies for all sorts of crafts that do not need to be put back in the storage when I am not using them. But since I live in a small apartment at the moment that is just a dream. But hopefully I’ll get there.

Where can your products be seen? My portfolio of choice, my website (redesign pending), my deviant art gallery, and my jewelry dedicated blog.

Upcoming events: None at the moment.

Magazine articles or press: Short online articles – Moda HR  &  xy385 

Frozen

Are you a fan of any jewelry artisans? I am not a kind of person that is easily impressed by people and/or authorities of any kind. So I don’t think I fit the profile of someone’s fan. But I do have a huge respect for the work of a lot of artist. Generally, I respect the work of all that are excellent in what they do. I can only be fascinated by something I can’t do or what I think I could never do. But still not to that extent I could call myself a fan of that particular artist/person. In the field of jewelry making I respect the work of many artist. Some of them are local artist from Croatia and some of them are internationally known. For instance, in the field of wirework, I respect the work of Eni Oken, Iza Malczyk, Magdalena Borejko and similar. In the field of silversmithing I could list so many of the artist that do different kind of techniques. But I will not do that because that list would be long.

Price range: $6 – $150 (But that should change in the future as I shift to the domain of precious metals and stones exclusively.)

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: For an artist it is often hard to choose one particular piece. I do have to say I have trouble deciding between Fairy Tale (necklace) and Deusa de serendidade (pendant). But I’ll choose Fairy Tale since that was a commission work I made for a certain bride that won me with her kindness. The base of the piece is inspired by filigree technique with the difference that my piece is made with the use of cold connections only. Other decorative elements were made by using a variety of Swarovski crystals with aurora borealis effect and frosted Czech glass beads. There is also a blue glass cabochon in the center of the piece which bride wanted for me to include. I’m proud of this necklace because this was the first piece I really planned thoroughly. I usually make things as I go along, but with this one I just wanted to be sure, the connections will be kept at minimal and that the connections won’t show as much. I have spent a lot of time making it, but it was worth it every second. The only bad thing is that my photo is not as good as the piece itself so the piece looks even better when one is looking at it live.

Fairy Tale

Anything else you wish to add? I would like to thank to all people that appreciate the work I do. I often get such feedback that makes me believe people often feel my pieces and sense the message behind a certain piece. And that, of course, means a lot to me because sometimes it really gives me the impression my pieces are specifically tailored for certain individuals.