Designer, handcrafted jewellery: Showcased and defined over mulled wine. 

Working at the cutting edge of design, jewellery makers combine art, form and functionality to create products for retail purposes. Being a designer-maker entails an array of work activities which often go completely unnoticed by the buyer of these creations.

Nadège Cassar, a local jewellery designer-maker and founder of Nadège Renée Exclusive Jewellery runs her own ‘bottega’ (workshop) in Fgura. She designs and handcrafts fine contemporary jewellery in precious metals, mainly sterling silver, but she also works with gold and palladium.

Through years of studies and extensive experience in the disciplines required of a master jeweller, Nadège has acquired the skills to design and produce unique pieces of jewellery. These could be special commissions for a birthday present, working to a client’s brief, or her own exclusive one-off or limited edition creations.

Every year in December Nadège opens her workshop, inviting the general public to visit her during this OPEN STUDIO event. A large selection of jewellery collections as well as exclusive one off creations are on display., offering visitors many ideas for Christmas presents.,

The aim of the OPEN STUDIO is also to provide an opportunity to link the buyer with the actual maker.. “This is the beauty of buying from a local craft person”,  Nadège says. “You actually get to meet the person who created the product; shake the hands that actually worked it and by chatting over mulled wine and Christmas goodies new friendships are often being formed.”

During the OPEN STUDIO event, Nadège is also very willing to describe the processes used in the making of her jewellery. She explains all the steps involved, starting from research and the birth of an idea all the way to the production processes and methods. Visitors can admire her “old school,” hand-drawn sketches and models, look at the raw materials or watch her demonstrating different awe-inspiring jewellery-making processes at her 90-year-old wooden jeweller’s workbench. Nadege says that young children especially are often surprised by how many processes are needed to produce a seemingly simple ring.

In general, people are usually not aware of the long list of complex processes and tasks involved in designing and making  jewellery. To mention just two items that would be on this list: a designer-maker usually has to work to a tight budget and within strict deadlines.

Nadège specializes in designing specifically commissioned jewellery such as wedding and engagement rings, corporate gifts, exclusive presents and symbolic jewellery.  Such personalized gifts  with a unique touch and design are precious and priceless, both to the giver and the receiver.

At Nadège Renée’s workshop such projects are becoming more and more popular.

Unfortunately, many Maltese have the tendency to opt for foreign brand names, thinking that locally produced artifacts are of inferior quality. As Nadège explains, some people even ask her if her products are imported from Italy, which is an indication that the general public is often not aware of local talent and skill.

It is important for people to understand that by supporting local, self-employed individuals, they are also supporting the local economy, thereby helping small businesses to grow and create employment opportunities.

The main aim of  Nadège Renée – Christmas OPEN STUDIO is to promote the MADE IN MALTA concept and to encourage visitors to support local trade and artisans.

Nadège Renée – Christmas OPEN STUDIO runs from the 7 till 8 December from 10.00 till 17.00 hrs, at Nadège Renée’s workshop in Fgura: The address is: “Schon”, 215, St Thomas Street, Fgura. (Coming from Paola, turn right at the Tip Top roundabout, and drive till third block on left, just in front of the Fgura Pharmacy) Bookings are recommended.

For more info, visit the Facebook event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/404241099724754/

Or contact Nadège on

mobile: 99229345

email : info@nadegerenee.com