Spot the Designer - Maria Dima/ Romania

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I don’t really remember…I think I wanted different things at different ages.

When have you started creating jewelry? How did this passion come about?

About 4 years ago, after a basic course at Assamblage, I started to imagine more and more jewels that I wanted and couldn’t find on the market. So I decided to make them myself.

What was your first project or significant piece for you and from what point of view?

My first significant piece was “The Dark” necklace, that I created unintentionally, by adding feathers to the basic necklace that I was working on. The result was really my kind of piece and it became one of the most interesting things that I created. Also I made a movie about it with the help of a beautiful team.

How do you charge your batteries? What other passions and creative interests do you have?

I stay out in the nature a lot, exploring forests and empty beaches. I am a wanderer on this planets, so I take a lot of time to be alone to think and feel. My other passion is Ashtanga yoga and human psychology. As for other creative interests, I like doing photo sessions with models and my jewelry, as a journey into women beauty and authenticity.

What does the connection between manufacturing tradition and contemporary design mean to you?

It’s a bridge that makes us, the new ones in the field experiment both the traditional way but with a fresh direction. Every time it has to be something new, something innovative but based on the classic ways to do it.

Is there a self-portrait piece that speaks most about you?

Actually there are many, but let’s say that I have a preferred one. It is named Puio-pestele, a wood statue with bird winds and claws. A reinterpretation of the old concept of Bird Goddess.

Which material have you not yet used is a temptation and a challenge for you?

Porcelain…I’m so curious about porcelain.

How was the pandemic period for you as a jewelry designer?

It was just when I started to take myself serious and for some time I felt a little insecure. But it was a great time to spend with my family inside of the apartment and we started creating a lot of unusual things from what we collected previously from the forest and beaches…some awesome creations were born then.

How do you see the future of contemporary jewelry?

I think that, as most things, the contemporary jewelry can be very good and expressive but also trash. And more and more people will be attracted to explore their creativity in all ways, so contemporary jewelry is just at the beginning, it will grow into a big worldwide concept.

Find more about the designer Maria Dima