Shlomit Ofir | A collection is born – how an idea converts into jewelry

It’s been a while that I have been meaning to let you in on the process of my work on a new collection, to describe how the different stages in the long road and to explain how an idea that grows in my head evolves and turns into a piece of jewelry.

The Formica series that I created in my latest summer collection best portrays this process and so I decided to use it to demonstrate my ideas.

Stage 1 – the idea

In this specific case, the idea to incorporate Formica in my jewelry developed in my mind about 3 years ago, when as a student I was working on my final project for my degree in Industrial Design. For this project I designed jewelry that was inspired from the world of furniture. One of the 2 series I designed was named “Storage” and included silver jewelry with a combination of veneer and formica, that were unique in the sense that they store themselves. What does this mean? Take a look at the following video:

At that early stage I already fell in love with the qualities of Formica (a material that is mainly used to cover surfaces of furniture and kitchens and is made of thin layers of veneer and paper that are strongly pressured together using resins), and I then decided that at some point in time I will launch a commercial series that will incorporate Formica.

Stage 2 – Inspiration

When I came to design the new collection, I wanted to leave the storage idea behind, but to keep the connection to its origin – the world of furniture, and even more specifically – furniture from the mid – 20th century, when Formica was very popular.

In the 1st image you can see an “inspiration board” that I created for myself and in the 2nd image is a stool that I got as a present from a friend (yes, if you are following, this is already the 2nd piece of furniture that I have received as a present lately), which I adore especially because of its color and it’s rounded and a-symmetrical shape. From the furniture I took the ideas for round corners, geometrical shapes, combination of materials and the soft retro palette of colors.

Stage 3 – Initial sketches

Once I feel that I have an idea and also a crystallized source of inspiration, I transfer the ideas from my head to paper and try to sketch many options. If I find that one of the sketches interests me, I keep developing it. When there are enough ideas on the paper, I choose the best ones, which will move into the next stage.

Stage 4 – On the computer

I then sketch the jewelry on the computer. I work using the original scale of the items and also take in consideration the width of the chains, the connecting links and the proportions against the body. The sketches are translated to electronic files, which are later used for the manufacture of the elements themselves.

Stage 5 – Manufacturing the parts

The electronic files I created are used for cutting the elements using different technologies, according to the material. After the cutting process the Formica pieces are cleaned and polished and the metal parts, which are cut using a different method, are then plated in gold or in silver.

Stage 6 – Assembly

When the parts are ready, it is time to put the piece of jewelry together. This is the most gratifying stage, in which you can see for the first time how, just like in a puzzle, the pieces connect and create a complete picture.

Stage 7 – Shooting the catalog

This is the last stage before the collection is launched. Prior to the shooting, my staff and I go through an intensive period in which we come up with the concept, select the right professionals and the perfect model, and plan what it’s all going to look like. For the shooting of this collection I chose the beautiful Elinor Zino. Elinor, which came to Israel from Norway, with her unique tanned look, was a perfect fit for the summery, delicate pastel atmosphere that I wanted to portray in this catalog. With the help of Assaf Eini the photographer, Shiran Mania the stylist, Inbal Massas (makeup) and Fedor Vishnyakov (hair) – the catalog came out just fabulous and brought out

.the unique characteristics of the collection.

Stage 8 – Here comes a new collection

After all these stages, the piece of jewelry is completed, photographed and ready to go to the shop. For me this is the biggest challenge – will you like the jewelry and want to buy them? In the case of the Formica series, looks like you like them a lot….almost every formica item that is moved to the shop will sell very quickly and my studio is working around the clock to manufacture more. This is my biggest satisfaction and it is the fuel that energizes my drive to create many more new items.

See you soon with a new collection, on which I am working on these days. In the meantime, I welcome you to comment and let me know what you liked about this collection, what you would like to see in future collections or anything else.