I use three languages actively. Hungarian is my mother’s tongue, and I use it every day even if I live in Amsterdam now. I was born in Slovakia, so Slovak is the language I spoke at the university and in my bead shop in Bratislava. English also became an everyday part of my life: I read, write and watch films in English, and my work is strongly connected to it, too. Usually I don’t have a problem with switching languages. My brain knows that I need Hungarian when I talk to my husband, Slovak when I write to my ex-colleagues or a lot of my friends and it even fishes out some Dutch, Spanish or Turkish when there’s a need. And when I start to write for this blog, it is automatically looking for English words.
Usually, but not this time. I first met Vladimira Bahnova of Wishfish Jewellery when she came for some sparkly Swarovski Elements and unusually cut semi precious stones to my bead shop in Bratislava. Than she came many more times, and Slovak was the language we used. It stuck, and I have to confess that today I had a difficulty to write about her in English.
Eventually, looking at the pictures about her sophisticated yet unconventional jewelry
and slipping on my sterling silver ring with small tanzanite stones
made by Vladka helped me to focus on her unique, elegant but strong style,
and slowly the right words started to come.
You will find here interviews with jewelry makers and fashion designers every second week.
Together with them I wish you a pleasent time reading!
Please tell us about yourself and your brand a bit!
My silver jewelry brand Wishfish jewellery was launched in 2010. First I wanted to make some silver pieces just for myself, because I have a strong allergy to non-precious metals. In-store bought silver jewelry was nice, but it was still a confection. At that time I had a vision to make original pieces, which I couldn‘t find. I started to experiment with synthetic fur, fairytale themes, big stones, silver sewing (some parts of my jewelry was sewed with very thin silver wire), beading.
I started to draw designs inspired by my beloved Art Nouveau. I wanted to try Fimo, glass fusing, porcelain, textile techniques. At a very short time I became exhausted by my own enthusiasm 🙂 From this period I have several sketchbooks full of crazy and detailed drawings of jewelry designs. Most of them are still only on paper.
How did your story as a designer begin? Do you remember the first piece you sold?
I love independence and I don’t like when I desire something and I cannot have it instantly! 🙂 That is why I try to learn to do many things by myself. I must say there are two profits in one: I learn something new and I comfort myself. I forgot the first piece I sold – what a pity. But I remember my first market – full of beautiful stress, so many new things to do and to learn! My first jewelry “menu” was served in an old canvas military trunk lightened with a pair of bulbs! I prepared for this market one of my first designs – feather earrings “Pierkas”, which became my most selling product for another three years until I stopped their production.
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!
I still work only as a part-time jeweller, so at a regular day I go to work. But after 6 PM I sit down in my bedroom where – in the corner – is my small but cosy jewelry workshop/studio. At only about two square meters I have everything I need – near at hand. My bench, rolling mills, files, gemstones, silver plates and wires, mandrels, chemicals, light… I usually work till midnight. More difficult pieces must wait to weekends, when I have more time to work.
What makes your designs stand out of the crowd of other designers? Which are your favorite colors, shapes, materials etc?
Many of my most favorite designs are private. They have a special feature, they are like an experiment. I like expressive shapes, surprising combination of materials, massive stones, high heads on rings. The jewels sometimes have more intensive contact with the skin – even at the edge of pain. But this is not something that found its way to many customers. 70 percent of my production is comfortable and nice 🙂 On the other hand my customers taught me to focus on different styles. My favorite one is minimal.
For what kind of occasions can we wear your pieces? What’s the woman who wears your design like?
I love simple rings and earrings which can be worn by many at everyday occasions. But I also love wild and expressive forms, that only some people (like me) can wear every day. I think every person gives a purpose to the jewelry he or she wears. Every piece which leaves my workshop finds its own life somewhere. That’s why jewelry is so intimate. It is a chemistry beginning in the studio and it goes on when someone else wears it.
I must say, I don’t know who is the woman wearing my jewelry. I think she is a mystery and that is exactly the way I like it!
Where does your inspiration come from? Do you have some rituals to boost your creative energy?
Haha! That is the point I am asking myself every day! I definitely do not know what is my inspiration, I only try to connect to something strong inside me, a feeling I cannot name. It is very close to joy and curiosity.
Special rituals? Only one – when I feel that I must do something – I always do it or at least try to (even when it makes no sense to me) draw, write, sit and think, wait, love, enjoy, talk to someone or cook! Until finally there’s something at the end of this process.
Do you have a piece of jewelry you made, that is somehow special to you?
Yes. My rings from the “Five” series. It has minimal design and an open shank referring to number 5.
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?
Oh! What a question! Hmm. Never thinking about it. Maybe Sherlock Holmes? I simply love his perfection combined with eccentric nature, intellect with passion, courage with humour!
What kind of clothes and accessories do you wear? Who are your favorite designers and why?
Usually I don’t wear anything special, I have never felt close to fashion. But what I really love is jewelry from Monika Brza, at this time working under the new brand Letos (previously Monky). I have sooo many pairs of her earrings! Most of all my earrings are made by Monky. I love her tiny beautiful porcelain bodies covered with crispy colour topping! Yummy!
What is your goal in the future? Where would you like to see your brand?
I wish to see my jewelry on people. I wish to know that people have stories behind it, a little bit of my stories put in it during my work, as well as their own stories connected to their special pieces. I want to make pieces that give sense to me and with a bit of luck also to someone else.
Where can we see and buy your designs?
At this time I have my jewellery at Sashe.sk and anyone can reach me at my facebook profile.
Thank you very much for answering my questions, Vladka!
I wish you all the best for your journey as a jeweller!
The beautiful pictures about Wishfish Jewellery were made by Vladimir Skuta, jewellery photo: Vladka’s archive.
Leave a Reply