Hopefully you are all familiar now with Dovile’s wonderful work which is currently on display in the Winter Showcase but here in our second interview from the Showcase, we get to meet and learn a bit more about the designer herself. Dovile’s answers are refreshingly honest and relatable, and really highlight the importance of being flexible and adapting when trying to balance our work and life.

Dovile Bertulyte

1 – Please could you give us a brief introduction to your work and who you are? (Where are you based, inspirations, fun facts)

I am a jewellery designer maker, I make all my jewellery myself from scratch either from wax or raw materials using traditional making techniques merged with unconventional methods. My jewellery is inspired by nature and human connection. I love hiking and trail running this is where I get most of my inspiration from, while slowly walking, running or wild camping. At the moment I work from my beautiful home studio in Wiltshire.

I struggle to think of any fun facts about me, life feels so ordinary at the moment. Looking back, probably the craziest thing I did is move to England 15 years ago, to study jewellery, but barely speaking English, I think I was very brave and probably slightly naive.

2 – What led you to become a jeweller and how did you train/ learn your skills?

It was all a bit of a happy coincidence. Back in 2009 I was studying textiles in my home country. Along with my studies I was making some crafty jewellery. However, I really didn’t enjoy the subject I was studying when the opportunity to study abroad came along. Through friends I discovered Middlesex University and their renowned contemporary jewellery course. When I came to visit during their open days I was so impressed and excited about it, it  just felt like a completely different world and I couldn’t wait for my studies to start. For 4 years it was a dream, the course was all about experimenting with materials, shapes, textures, developing concepts in attempt to create something new that no one else was making yet. As part of my course I did 3 internships, some with fashion jewellers, some with Applied art Sculptors in Rotterdam. As well as exchange studies to Israel Bazalel University. I graduated from university in 2013, where I developed two collections, one little hand collection inspired by fear of darkness and my graduation collection was inspired by water where I developed unique technique of making jewellery from silicone with intricate textures. It was very textural and tactile work, similar feeling to touching octopus, seaweeds and corals.

After graduation I continued exploring both of these collections alongside each other, although they were slightly different in style. My silicone collection became statement pieces and won me several awards such as Graduate award to exhibit at Goldsmiths’ Fair.  While my little hands were very popular among my clients at various shows and exhibition. However, I started to feel the itch and wanted to challenge myself technically and working with silicone didn’t satisfy me anymore. I had my head turned by gold and precious stones.

This is where I am today, creating work inspired by nature and human connection, trying to combine my two different ideas and styles and navigating sometimes very confusing and complicated world of fine jewellery. There is such a strong feeling when working with such precious materials and I feel unbelievably grateful to all my clients for approaching me and believing in my ideas.

3 – We love to hear about people’s workspaces- please could you describe where you work?

For many years I lived in London, for 6 years I had a studio in central London Cockpit Arts. However, when lockdown and Covid-19 happened I also had my first baby, this is when my life changed completely. I decided to move out of London and leave my beloved studio to work from home to suit my family needs. I am currently based in leafy Wiltshire where I set up a studio in one of the spare rooms of our Victorian House. In a way I am happy to not to be needing to share a studio anymore and can just get on with my work. I have wonderful views of our lush garden through the window and recently upgraded my bench to solid oak top, which is so spacious and incredibly sturdy.  I feel like my working space is constantly changing and evolving together with me, it’s a work in progress. It really is a a dream come true, to be able to raise a family and continue my creative practice all under one roof. However, one day I would really love to have a studio shop where I could make my jewellery and meet clients.

4 – What are the areas of your business that you enjoy the most?

Being a jeweller and running your own business means wearing a lot of different hats all at the same time. My favourite part is,of course, creating new work and developing new collections, being creative and doing the research and designing. I always get carried away and start creating new work, even when I am not supposed to, like when I have a deadline to finish something in my brain just sees bits and bobs on the bench and I feel the urge to start making something new.  When I am at the bench new ideas just pour in and it is really hard to stop them coming. I also love selling at the shows and fairs, even though it is very stressful, but it is lovely to meet new people and see clients trying on my work that I worked so hard to make.

5 – What does a usual work day look like for you? (Do you work full- time/ part-time, how do you balance your week?)

At the moment I work part time as I also look after my two very young children, one of them is still a toddler and is full time with me as she refuses to go to nursery. Me and my husband take turns, so when I have important deadlines and orders to fulfil I work late hours in the workshop while he looks after the kids. Motherhood changed everything in me and I am still looking for some kind of stability and work life balance and hope in a few months time things will go back to some soft of normality where I can work during day time too! Looking forward to this time as I have many ideas for new collection and some rebranding. So keep your eyes open!

Thank you Dovile for taking the time to answer all of our questions. Dovile’s work is currently on display in the shop so please pop in to see Dovile’s full collection of work and a selection in our online shop.