Face to face: meet Erzsebet Kis Jakab!

I have a lot of accessories. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches, too. They take up one of the windowsills completely in our flat and are nicely arranged on several displays. The earrings on a wooden tree-shaped display fromVadjutka, the bracelets in a metal casette I got from my sister as a birthday present and the rest in a vintage box I bought back in Prague. When I started to make jewelry some 8-9 years ago, a lot of my friends and family made a relieving sigh. “Now you finally don’t have to buy any more jewels, do you?!” The answer was a big and loud “Yes, I  do!”

Because it’s the same as with beads. There is never enough.

I wear my own jewelry, of course, and I have to confess that sometimes I fell for a pair of cheap earrings or a necklace in an accessories shop. But the pieces I like the most are from my fellow designers. They remind me of a friendly face, even if we’ve met only virtually so far.

When I saw Erzsebet Kis jakab’s entry for the Battle of the Beadsmith competition this year, it not just caught my eye. I immediately had the feeling, that once I have to have it. It’s an intricate but masterly balanced mix of different shapes and colours. A luxurious one-of-a-kind necklace, elegant and rough at the same time. It speaks to me about having an opinion and having style and courage. I strongly hope that one day I can purchase it or maybe order something from Panka specially made for me.

Because yes, her jewelry is that much awesome. 

You will find here interviews with jewelry makers  and fashion designers every second week.

Together with the participating  designers I wish you a pleasent time reading!

Please tell us about yourself and your brand a bit!

My name is Erzsébet Kis Jakab, I am 36 years old, and I live in Hungary with my 8-year-old daughter and husband. I feel lucky because my hobby is my job, so I can make jewelry full time.

How did your story as a designer begin? Do you remember the first piece you sold?

I learnt about beadweaving on the Internet in 2009. First I was inspired by the works of Marie Géraud – Biloba. I liked her style, the baroque forms and the colours. My favourite Hungarian beadweaver is Zsuzsi Veres. I started to follow her work and to design my own patterns. I liked the freedom it gave me, and enjoyed playing with the beads. My first own designs caught Muriel’s (Mu) attention, who asked me to work together on Centperles. I tried bead embroidery, too, but later soutache became my true love. This year one of my soutache patterns for a pair of earrings made it into the Bead and Button magazine.

Please tell us how does your average day look like! It’s so exciting to get to know more about the lifestyle of a designer!

Usually I spend 3-4 hours every day on making jewels. There are times when I cannot create, so I browse and search inspiration from the works of others. Besides beads I search felted pieces, handmade ceramics, paintings and a lot of other things. My favourite styles are realism and romanticism. I love the paintings of the Hungarian artist Mihaly Munkacsy. I’ve read his biography first, written in the form of a novel. The story of his life caught my attention so much, that I had to get to know his work, too!

What makes your designs stand out of the crowd of other designers? Which are your favorite colors, shapes, materials etc?

My favourite season is autumn. I love the colours of the nature in those months and I like to use them in my jewels. My favourite colour is brown, which is present in most of my jewels. I prefer light bronze beads, 8/0, 11/0, 15/0 – I love all the sizes. I like using the Beadsmith soutache braids and acetate braids from Pega. There is no bead which I cannot use 🙂

For what kind of occasions can we wear your pieces? What’s the woman who wears your design like?

I make everyday and elegant pieces as well as big, special jewels. In 2014 and 2015 I attended the Battle of the Beadsmith, the competition of Steven Weiss, and it was a real challenge and a huge creative boost for me. I also participated in the competition of a Hungarian bead shop, The Bead Lab. It was organised by a fellow battler, Annie Hatvani. Next year I would like to design a jewel for the Battle again, and maybe join another competitions, too.

Where does your inspiration come from? Do you have some rituals to boost your creative energy?

I like looking at different kinds of material, browsing the sortiment of local bead shops, collecting new material. If I do not have any ideas, I do not create. It is important to make all pieces with love 🙂

Do you have a piece of jewelry you made, that is somehow special to you?

Maybe this necklace on the picture below: it has bead embroidery and soutache, two different techniques, but I managed to reach harmony.

If you could design something for a well-known person or maybe a fictional character from a film or book, who would it be, and why?

I like challenges 🙂 I would like to make extravagant, striking jewels for a photo shoot.

What kind of clothes and accessories do you wear? Who are your favorite designers and why?

I like sporty, comfy clothes. Jeans and T-shirt are the classical favourites.

What is your goal in the future? Where would you like to see your brand?

Future is always full of surprises. I do not plan my future. I believe it is my path and I hope it is the right path for me.

Where can we see and buy your designs?

You can see and buy my designs and tutorials here:

www.facebook.com/pankagyongye/
www.etsy.com/shop/Soutachebypanka
http://pankagyongye.blogspot.hu/

Thank you very much for answering my questions, Panka!

Tell Erzsebet Kis Jakab in a comment, how do you like her art!

And what do you think about the new series “Face to face!”

Whould you like to tell us more about your art and be featured in one of the upcoming interviews?

Don’t hesitate and drop me a line here 🙂