Meet the maker:
Christiane’s love for colour and handmade jewellery
I like to make jewellery I want to wear myself and that’s how I choose the colours and gold and silver findings that I use for my pieces.
During the first lockdown in 2020, I found some of my old beads and thread I used to make jewellery with as a teenager. My job as a freelance violinist in London disappeared almost overnight and I dived into being creative in a different way with my old beads (until I sold enough to afford to buy more colours!)
It gave me so much joy to make completely original pieces of jewellery and it slowly developed with a lot of support from friends and family.
I now really enjoy a varied work-life as a professional violinist, violin teacher, mum of a 1,5 year old and making and running my own jewellery business.
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Classic design,
made with glass and gold
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Every piece of jewellery is handmade by me. I pick durable quality beads, gold and silver to maximise the life of each of my pieces. Caring for a pair of your new jewellery, might mean rubbing them with a damp cloth. Some of the beads are dyed so will change colour when they are in contact with strong chemicals, so just be mindful. The silver will naturally tarnish over time, but will look as good as new with just a little bit of polishing with a silver polish cloth.
The beads
I use Japanese Miyuki beads made from glass. Miyuki has produced beads since the 1930s and the brand is famous for it’s high quality and clear colours. I use size 6-11 Miyuki Seed beads, half and quarter Tila beads and Delica Beads.
Gold hoop earrings
The gold hoop earrings are either 14 carat gold plated or the more durable 14 carat gold filled. The hoops that are gold filled are a little more expensive which is reflected in the price.
Silver findings
I only use sterling silver hoops and chain and lock for my necklaces and bracelets. These might tarnish over time, especially in contact with humid conditions.
Elastic band
The rings are made with strong elastic band for comfort and flexibility.
Thread
I use strong fishing line thread between 0.20-0.35 mm in thickness depending on the size of the beads. This thread take up to a maximum of 9.80kg of weight which makes it is incredibly strong.
Packaging
I use recycled gift boxes, envelopes and kraft tags to display my jewellery. All original ChristianeDesignCo jewellery tags will be stamped with the ‘Handmade with love by ChristianeDesignCo London’’ stamp.