The reasons why we should bet on handmade jewelry 'made in Spain'
We discover the origins of two artisan jewelry workshops and what are the details that make their pieces unique. You want to know more?
ImaxtreePaula Reig 5 min readThe fashion sector has taken a turn in recent years, both in its production and consumption. Some will say that it is because of the pandemic, which has made us appreciate unique details more, others will say that it is awareness of the environment, which makes us think about the sustainability of a product before purchasing it... Be that as it may. , the fashion world seems to have moved in a new direction, where slow fashion -also known as slow fashion- is gaining more ground and craftsmanship is valued as opposed to mass production.
It is a phenomenon that has not only affected garments, but also accessories, footwear and, above all, jewelry. We increasingly appreciate quality and value it over quantity, leaving aside movements such as fast fashion. And in the area of jewelry it can be seen very clearly with the rise of craft workshops. We spoke with Belén Bajo, owner of the handmade jewelry brand that bears her name, born in 1997, coinciding with the birth of her eldest son. "I had been working in the jewelry sector for quite some time and had also been a design teacher at the Gremio school in Madrid. I studied Fine Arts at the Complutense University and I realized that creativity has many ramifications and can be approached from many different trades", says the founder talking about the beginnings of her firm.
Lower BethlehemSimilarly, the founder of Blanca Barcelona tells us that jewelry was also always one of her passions. "When it was time for my own wedding I wanted to wear a unique piece, I was resigned to buying something that I could only wear on special occasions or that had been produced in series, I dreamed of an original piece. I wanted to find a jewel that could be versatile, adapting both to special situations and in everyday life.", she tells us, "I undertook a long path of search, which not only led me to the design of my first jewel, the 3-in-1 earrings, but also to the realization of my dream , create Blanca Barcelona".
White BarcelonaThe inspiration of handmade jewelry
"Inspiration is not some occasional trance state," Belén Bajo firmly declares. "Creative activities follow a path that coincides with the life of their author. In my case, the history of art and nature have always been present. I believe that my way of looking at everything that surrounds me, be it a tree, a street or a building has to do with the books I have read, the exhibitions I have seen and the landscapes I have traveled". The influence of these elements can be felt in each of her pieces, which stand out in a unique way, either because of their particular shape or color.
Lower Bethlehem
From Blanca Barcelona they also agree with the premise of Belén Bajo, affirming that art is one of the main sources of inspiration. "I love to paint, I am passionate about architecture and all forms of expression. I look for a lot of inspiration in everything that surrounds me, in my day to day, I love textures, the stones themselves and their colors, nature", she declares .
However, she adds that the greatest source of inspiration when creating a piece is her clients. "Each jewel is thought with great care, taking into account the details they tell us about themselves, or about the person they want to surprise. We have the privilege of being able to participate in very exciting moments of their lives. All these details are taken care of. into account when designing their jewelry," she explains. That is why all of Blanca Barcelona's jewelery pieces have a woman's name. It is no coincidence, they point out, since each jewel is baptized with the name of the person who will wear it for the first time.
White BarcelonaThe result? Unique and special pieces
Handmade jewelry stands out from mass jewelry creating unique and special pieces that are not seen every day. Belén Bajo tells us that the key to achieving this is that for her all her jewels are special, without a doubt, and she wants them to be so for other people. In addition, she adds the importance of honest work, since that is transmitted with each of her pieces.
Autumn Winter Art Deco Collection | Nativity Scene Autumn Winter Art Déco Collection | Lower BethlehemFrom a more personal point of view, Blanca Barcelona emphasizes that she achieves that her pieces have that special point thanks to people: "Everything begins with the desire to please, to give or give us a special jewel, a piece that accompanies us the rest of our lives".
"We listen and channel all that love, we do our work with a lot of love and care. We choose materials and stones meticulously, using only raw materials from certified sources, working exclusively with workshops that respect the parameters of sustainable jewelry, taking care of each detail: from the conception to the packaging of the jewel. All this process is transmitted in each jewel of Blanca Barcelona", declare from the jewelry firm.
Blanca Barcelona Pendant Blanca Barcelona EarringsYou may also be interested in: These are the keys to taking care of your jewelry in summer (and the most trendy pieces of jewelry)
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