Workshop with Local Artisans: I made Bespoke Jewellery in Ibiza.

A pair of earrings, ‘PENDOWN’ bracelet and two ceramic pendants – the beautiful by-products of my bespoke jewellery making workshop in Ibiza.

Earrings- I love them. Those who have travelled with me or know me personally, also know my craziness for earrings. I try and buy atleast one from every city that I travel to. Its my best go-to indulgence and souvenir. I have a huge collection from more than twenty countries. So when I got a chance to learn to make bespoke jewelry in IBIZA in SPAIN, I was elated. What could be better to own a self-made earring. And it was not just restricted to making earrings but also a pendant and bracelet. They are my prized possessions from Ibiza. Well, we might have to wait for travel to resume like before but we can always share and cherish travel memories. Arm-chair is always a good idea! . So today, lets head to Ibiza not to party but to make some fashionable accessories.

Blast from the Past : IBIZA

There are more than hundred ways to discover a new place, depending on our tastes. My favorite part is strolling around, which actually helps me to discover the city in a new light. I also ensure to take a trip to the local markets to find handcrafted things. And, there is nothing better than unraveling a new place through its art and craft. It definitely makes me more happier and wealthier.

My trip to Ibiza happened recently in October 2019 and sometimes, its hard to believe that the world has changed so much in just couple of months. Anyways, now that we cant do much about the present, we must continue having some blast from the past. Here, I will walk you through a very interesting workshop and share my notes as well. It was a nice trip down the memory lane. I wish I could make some of it during this lockdown but I don’t have the essential tools. And yes, its no child business. There is a technique for every twirl and twist.

Dalt Vila (UNESCO Heritage Site)

Dalt Vila, the fortified town in Ibiza, is the historic heart of the city. It is one of the coolest areas to hang around and spend a day wandering around the narrow streets. Here, in its charming cobbled streets, you will find boutique bars, terrace restaurants, fashion bars and jewelry stores. If you are interested in taking a workshop with the local artisans, you may look up for the upcoming sessions on the internet. No prior experience is required. They run small groups of 4-8 people for 1½ to 2½ hours, depending on things they would teach. Yes, pre-bookings are important. I also learned that there are many passionate artists in Ibiza who own shops, where they create fancy and environment friendly jewelries. They try and use materials directly form the Earth, trying to keep up with sustainable jewellery.

Guiding and Mentoring made it easy!

So when I went for this activity in a workshop, located in one of the old houses of the Old Town of Ibiza, I didn’t know that by the time I would walk out, I would be aware of some tips and tricks of jewelry making. This was indeed a unique hippie experience that I will always cherish. I really enjoyed decorating and making the ceramic pendants. The earring part was a tad difficult because it involved a lot of hand tools and twisting. For the bracelet, we only had to decide a name and then strike the metal stamps with a hammer.

My Notes!

1.Metal stamping hammers are different from the normal ones.

2. Also one must give a strong, solid blow. All of the energy in every hit goes into making deep, crisp impressions as per the stamp.

3. Earrings need lots of pliers, essentially, wire cutters, chain nose pliers and round nose pliers.

4. An assortment of beads helps you decide what colours you want. Don’t make the earring too heavy, so choose wisely.

5. Half-hard round wires are used for earrings. You may also use wires made from sterling silver or just purchase pre-made earring wires.

6. I learned making headpins, jump rings and earring wires. Each had few steps and interconnecting it all and sliding the beads inside made for a complete earring.

7. For the pendant, we just had to use some powdered stones, stick some beads with glue and bake the ceramic at a certain temperature. The melting made for the design. When it cooled down, we made two holes to make passage for the thread.

8. The artisans helped us with all the raw material and tools and one on one guidance was very useful.

So next time, if you are planning to buy a local stuff from a certain place, try enrolling for a workshop. This way, you will not only make a unique souvenir for yourself but will always remember the place differently. Also, engaging in art is a beautiful way of lending a helping hand to the local artisans.

Tell me about the local art classes or workshops that you have done and really enjoyed.