Exclusive interview with the lovely Jewellery Designer, Kristin Weixelbaumer from Black Betty & Black Gold Jewellery. Kristin reveals her secret to success and also where she gets her inspiration from.
– Interview with Jewellery Designer Kristin Weixelbaumer –
Tell us about yourself, including what you do and how you got there.
I’m a creative, passionate seeker who started a love affair with my grandmothers jewellery box at a very young age.
I was brought up in an entrepreneurial, design-oriented family – my father, an architect and mother an interior designer so working for myself in the creative world was always the goal.
Black Betty began in 2012, born from my lifelong fascination with the symbiosis between natural elements and the human experience. My journey, driven by my passions for design, travel, and mysticism, reached a logical conclusion in northern India, where I encountered the centuries-old tradition of gem craftsmanship. At the intersection of cultural, spiritual and geological fascination, a calling rang out.
Tell us about your design style. What makes your collections unique in the industry?
Mainstream jewellery has become all about symmetry, flawlessness and a misconstrued obsession with perfection. For me, observing beauty in its natural, imperfect state is where the magic/ story lies. Every Black Betty & Black Gold piece holds it’s own story.
‘There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’ – Leonard Cohen
What kind of person wears your jewelry?
Those looking for something personal, different & depth.
As a designer, where do you draw your inspiration from?
Everything! Nature, magazines, beautiful moments, being on the sea, people, cultures, family, food, quiet moments, being out of comfort zones…
What’s it like to see someone on the street wearing one of your creations?
It’s amazing! Not much beats it.
What are upcoming trends in the jewelry design industry?
For me, it’s all about the stones & what journey I am experiencing at the time that influences my designs. There is a deeper connection that lasts longer than trends, that’s what makes this jewellery world so very beautiful.
Who are your favorite designers?
Merwe Mode is rocking my world at the moment & all the other Designers at our Convoy Store in JHB (Selfi, W35T, Hannah Lavery, Heart & Heritage.)
What advice would you give to someone interested in getting into the jewelry design business?
This industry is highly competitive, there are so many amazing jewellers based in Cape Town alone who are rocking their styles and Cape Town is small!
My Advice: Be different/ create different/ aim different & keep your passion & determination levels fed.
What is your favorite piece you’ve ever created – and what made it so special?
Such a difficult question! Today I will say my Spiked Hoop Earrings from the Raven Collection. They are statement beauties that have a dark African elegance to them. The small black diamond studded needles that pierce the unpolished 14k gold hoops shows the love of attention to detail.
What do you wish more collectors knew about your jewelry?
Hand-craftsmanship is the cornerstone of our creative process, and we value the essence of humanity inherent in imperfection. By virtue of this core value every Black Betty piece is wholly unique, and an expression of personality. Our extensive range of pendants, earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets spans the spectrum from daily to ceremonial, with something for any mood, occasion, or cosmic age.
We believe that there is a sense of magic in wearing a polished and cherished fragment of the earth on your person. The reward for consciously adorning jewellery is a sense of femininity, intent, and connectedness.
What draws you to a particular gemstone?
My gemstone love affair is constantly changing. The colour, the cut, the energy of the stone all have their parts to play.
Black Betty believes in the ethereal notion that precious gems find their owners, and exists to facilitate this magnetism. Jewellery oughtn’t be mere decoration; a slave to style. When a mutual respect exists between object and wearer, one honours the origin of the material, and its inherent providence.
What do you see lies in the future for custom jewelry for both the designer and luxury jewelry collector?
There is definitely a move in the market where consumers are wanting more bespoke jewellery/ more original pieces. It’s wonderful to work alongside your client, helping them create something unique & personal that they will then cherish for a life time and hopefully be passed down to next generations.
What do you do to celebrate the completion of a new Black Betty Design creation?
There is a secret dance sequence that only comes out for times like these 😉 followed by a swim in the sea.
*Interview by Lorinda Voges, Director @ 4ElementsMedia
ABOUT BLACK BETTY DESIGN:
BLACK BETTY DESIGN
A sparkle of spontaneity
REASON FOR BEING
Black Betty was founded in 2012 by designer Kristin Weixelbaumer, born from her lifelong fascination with the symbiosis between natural elements and the human experience. Kristin’s journey, driven by her passions for design, travel, and mysticism, reached a logical conclusion in northern India, encountering the centuries-old tradition of gem craftsmanship. At the intersection of cultural, spiritual and geological fascination, a calling rang out.
Black Betty believes in the ethereal notion that precious gems find their owners, and exists to facilitate this magnetism. Jewellery oughtn’t be mere decoration; a slave to style. When a mutual respect exists between object and wearer, one honours the origin of the material, and its inherent providence. We believe that there is a sense of magic in wearing a polished and cherished fragment of the earth on your person. The reward for consciously adorning jewellery is a sense of femininity, intent, and connectedness.
UNIQUE PROPOSITION
Utilising hand-cut precious and semi-precious stones suspended in
treasured metals, Black Betty derives endless joy from working with the earth’s hidden treasures and aims to transmit this joy to its customers by creating timeless pieces of jewellery for all women.
Handcraftsmanship is the cornerstone of our creative process, and we value the essence of humanity inherent in imperfection. Our jewellery is designed with pencils and paper, and brought into existence by the dexterous fingers of artisans in India, Bali, Sri Lanka and Cape Town.
By virtue of this core value every Black Betty piece is wholly unique, and an expression of personality. Our extensive range of pendants, earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets spans the spectrum from daily to ceremonial, with something for any mood, occasion, or cosmic age.
[Tweet “Getting To Know Kristin Weixelbaumer from Black Betty Design #liferetreat #Design”]