Katrin Lemcke

I came to Taranaki 20 years ago as an exchange student at Waitara High School. After returning to Germany to finish high school there, I also completed my apprenticeship as a traditional goldsmith. Taranaki, and a very special person called me back, and I have lived and created here for 14 years now. Only recently working independently, I take great delight in experimenting with ancient and modern techniques of jewellery making, like lost-mould casting, handweaving of chains, gemstone setting, hand engraving, and oxidisation of metals. Inspiration is often taken from archaeological findings of the European bronze age, architecture and nature. In my opinion the greatest designs happen when these things overlap and interact. The materials I use are mainly silver, gold and copper. These often come from old jewellery, or from silver cutlery that gets molten down in order to have a low impact on the environment.