INSPIRED BY THE LANDSCAPE
For the past 14 years, Celina Rupp has been designing and crafting stunning jewellery inspired by the breathtaking landscape of Orkney. Based in Holm, she has gained much of her experience from working within the jewellery trade, and learning the fine skills required for her hand-crafted pieces.
“My love of making jewellery started when I left school and landed a job with Ola Gorie in herworkshop,” Celina recalls.
“From there, I progressed on to working for Sheila Fleet, and also did an art and design course at Orkney College.
“I started my own jewellery business when I was expecting my daughter, thinking that I would have a lot of time on my hands, which turned out to be the opposite to start with! A newborn takes up a lot of time.
“I love drawing, designing and making things — especially shiny things. I never tire of that feeling when I finish a piece and it is perfectly polished ready to be displayed.”
Inspired by the wildlife, scenery and heritage of the isles, Celina’s mind is always filled with new ideas.
“All of my designs are unique,” she explains. “I design all of the jewellery collections, and make all the master patterns. Each design has its own meaning and story.
“Some designs take a few months, from the initial design to making the master pattern to the finished collection, and then others have taken a few years.
“My rose window design was probably the longest, as it took so long to cut the master pattern out by hand from silver sheet.
“I still like to make all my master patterns by hand rather than using a milling machine. It gives me a greater connection to the design and a feeling of accomplishment and pride in my work when I see the finished piece.
“There is a lot of skill involved in making a design come to life.”
Celina mainly works in silver, but she also creates designs in other metals, including gold and platinum, just depending on the customer’s preference.
“I love to work with different gemstones, to add a hint of colour and atmosphere to some designs,” she adds.
“The uniqueness of my designs and the care, attention and pride taken during making the master — to hand-finish every piece, is what makes them stand out.
“Every order I receive always makes me smile. It is such a lovely feeling when people appreciate the hard work and skill you put into your pieces, and I still can’t believe that people are wearing my jewellery all over the world; its very humbling.”