Blue Circle sponsrar finska guldsmedsstudenten Erika Hiltunen

Genom initiativet Blue Circle vill NSG tillsammans med partners ge tillbaka till guldsmedsbranschen. Bidragen som är av både större och mindre mått kan användas till allt från att vidareutbilda sig till att stötta den egna verksamheten.

En av dem som fått bidrag från Blue Circle i år är finska guldsmedsstudenten Erika Hiltunen. Erika studerar guldsmide via Axxell utbildning i Finland. Bidraget från Blue Circle kommer hon att använda till att köpa verktyg inför sin utlandspraktik i vår. Läs en intervju med Erika här nedan.

Why did you want to become as a goldsmith?

– I wanted to do something with my hands, to see real progress instead of just ones and zeros on a computer screen, says Erika.

That’s how Erika Hiltunen describes the first spark that led her toward goldsmithing. At the time, she was thinking about different crafts — from boat building to watchmaking and design — unsure which direction to take. While traveling, she met a goldsmith from Germany, and that encounter deepened her curiosity about the craft. When she returned home, still uncertain but encouraged by friends, she decided to apply to Axxell’s goldsmithing program.

– The moment I sat down to take the entrance exam, I was sure that it was my thing. Maybe it’s a little arrogant or maybe just my intuition told me, but I was sure that I would get to study goldsmithing.

– I study at Axxell, it’s in Överby, Espoo. My program lasts two years and concludes with a bachelor’s degree in applied arts (Artisan Goldsmith). We study 2-3 days per week with teachers, but in addition, it is recommended to have about 30 hours per week of your own time, after all, this is a craft profession that you can only learn by doing it by hand and it requires a lot of repetition.

At Axxell training begins with getting to know the tools and learning the basics like sawing and drilling. After the basics, the students are given weekly assignments to do. At the end of every course, they always have a demonstration work which is a given topic or theme and includes techniques performed during the course. This work is assessed by a teacher and a practicing goldsmith. During the goldsmith training, they study stone setting techniques, metal work, chemistry, lock making, jewelry design, technical drawing, history and dimensional drawing.

– I bought tools for myself with the grant. Files, pliers, filing tools, a pipe cutter and much more. Main reason why I needed them already is because I’m looking for an internship in Europe for next spring and it is good manners to have your own basic tools.

– After graduating I think I will apply for a professional degree, that take 1,5 years in Axxell. If I don’t get in, I’m planning to go study engraving and stone setting in Italy. I have also a dream to open my own brand but that’s a topic for next interview!

Vi önskar Erika stort lycka till med utbildningen och hoppas få se många fantastiska smycken i framtiden. Se gärna mer av Erika på hennes Instagram.

Står du i startgroparna till ett projekt och skulle behöva stöd? Det behöver inte vara monetära bistånd utan det kan även vara allmänna frågor om branschen eller hjälp i annan form. Mejla bluecircle@nsg.se.

Vill du stödja Blue Circle som sponsor eller som partner så är du varmt välkommen att höra av dig till oss på bluecircle@nsg.se.

Läs mer om initiativet här.