{"id":6873,"date":"2020-12-08T15:02:22","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T13:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charleroi-metropole.be\/2020\/12\/08\/bijoux-artisan\/"},"modified":"2021-01-07T11:40:24","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T09:40:24","slug":"storytelling-through-the-creation-of-bespoke-jewellery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/decouvrir\/storytelling-through-the-creation-of-bespoke-jewellery\/","title":{"rendered":"Storytelling through the creation of bespoke jewellery"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geraldineraulier.be\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">G\u00e9raldine Raulier<\/a>, craft jeweller, creates unique and personalised jewellery, to reflect her customers\u2019 tastes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cPeople often come to me with a very specific idea in mind. They want to honour a particular moment in their lives\u201d, explains G\u00e9raldine. \u201cIt might be a marriage, the passing of someone dear to them, a major life change\u2026 they are moments imbued with emotion. They want to capture the moment for posterity with an item of jewellery.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Creativity and conversation<\/h2>\n<p>G\u00e9raldine designs jewellery to reflect these special moments. During the process, she attaches a great deal of importance to talking and sharing ideas. \u201cCustomers come to me with their story, sometimes without knowing exactly what item of jewellery they are looking for. By talking to them, ideas start to flow. It truly is a collaborative process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For example, for engagement rings, G\u00e9raldine asks the engaged couple about each partner\u2019s personality and their views on how symbolic the union is to them. She also asks them about what values are important to them, to find the right words for this important moment in their life, and she then translates them symbolically into jewellery.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6793\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6793\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6793 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.charleroi-metropole.be\/app\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijoux-pierre-1600x900.jpg\" alt=\"Pierres-precieuses-exposees\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijoux-pierre-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijoux-pierre-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijoux-pierre-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijoux-pierre.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6793\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Deciding on the materials and stones depends on the emotion of the moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From this discussion, several jewellery sketches will emerge, which G\u00e9raldine works on in her workshop overlooking the garden. \u201cFrom here I can see the fields, the garden laid out according to permaculture, the woods\u2026 who could fail to be inspired?\u201d she says with a smile. She draws her creativity from the customer\u2019s universe, but also from the nature surrounding her.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"useful-links\">\n    <ul class=\"useful-links__list\">\n                    <li class=\"useful-links__item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/decouvrir\/seven-local-and-original-gift-ideas-to-put-a-smile-on-mums-face\/\">\n                    <figure class=\"useful-links__fig\">\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/charleroi-metropole-mere-fete-cadeau-artisan-local-500x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"Seven local and original gift ideas to put a smile on Mum\u2019s face\" class=\"useful-links__img\">\n                                            <\/figure>\n\n                    <span class=\"useful-links__title\">Seven local and original gift ideas to put a smile on Mum\u2019s face<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n\n<p>She will go back and forth with the customer on several occasions with the sketches she has made. Once they have decided on the design, the creator gets down to work on making the jewellery.<\/p>\n<h2>Gold passed down from generation to generation<\/h2>\n<p>The choice of materials, agreed beforehand with the customer, is also an important step in the creation.<\/p>\n<p>9 out of 10 of G\u00e9raldine\u2019s creations are made out of gold. She sources her raw materials in an ethical way. Sometimes they come from old family heirloom jewellery or are repurposed, and this is actually G\u00e9raldine\u2019s preferred way of working. \u201cI love working with a symbolic piece of jewellery that has been passed down from previous generations, for example. Customers have brought me their grandparents\u2019 wedding rings to have them made into their own,\u201d she explains. \u201cGold can be recycled an infinite number of times, it is a solid and sustainable material.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6782\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6782\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6782 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.charleroi-metropole.be\/app\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-alliance-personnalise-1600x900.jpg\" alt=\"or-en-train-de-fondre\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-alliance-personnalise-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-alliance-personnalise-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-alliance-personnalise-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-alliance-personnalise.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6782\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">G\u00e9raldine loves working with family heirloom jewellery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When she cannot find materials to be repurposed, G\u00e9raldine works with fair trade distribution channels. In particular she has joined a jewellery collective to set up\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UrcaguaryCoop\/?eid=ARDGOXtKHz0HfnDRlNzppYvcIzmV8kIsphwgHzfRDUj3qI93tyZ1yqq5gYqD21_pNE-fbhqshUcBDoFl&amp;hc_ref=ARTvTQ015sJ338IYld7kvxFDnrh0d9abH6s62_8ug6YDssh6MoSwzt10Eoaozc1IIOI&amp;fref=nf&amp;__xts__[0]=68.ARDdYzlKNgmpKYxWDV8HzN0aBHSvEXCxARMHpVgX1kLHsQyhM1eBnw8qO2Wb_PuHhC704x68IaeUBTJejxavgWoZQZZv2AOApPnCQOI-MBOzMLeT_k2frOrU9WinbgiaD7nAZYQGRFzd7CyfW-KtdsNdAhH0t8iiWaKwq3CykYVKVtGMOLl5MAScS3L6fAzArt3GZCHOSv8x6pMa1z8LTSVth6koqkEZFxMhhzp6TmM0WbgJ71PjHISBgPiNspop66TLYVavTqKAk8dFXqUhwnUyeZNEBBTHa4NDfoH0b2LLHKkfcR1WE5TaBtaeeGTv-nl96c_y2elKUgQDrSCUfRT8HLEnZB6xdFnz0-mwYBsjaspmC6u0pZlQ2S5nYOfazjQvaqx2a7ifO3Lo7Xsx_GxyavdeJjP9_5S6zD2q37RoqfVGbElT_HXCsB90y-JBOAH26CgcOV9rzna5oSRL_Zpk94AYWxKpOQVGHFugD7D9VHkPPORV_w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Urcaguary Coop<\/a>, so as to offer fair trade gold at acceptable prices.<\/p>\n<p>Some of her jewellery is decorated with precious stones. \u201cI suggest gemstones using the lithotherapy approach. I present to my customers the stone that best reflects their emotions when they come to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Transforming raw materials<\/h2>\n<p>The next step is the actual crafting process. G\u00e9raldine makes herself comfortable behind her desk and gets to work on the materials. She melts the gold or silver, sets it, polishes it, soaks it, etc.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"useful-links\">\n    <ul class=\"useful-links__list\">\n                    <li class=\"useful-links__item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/decouvrir\/a-meeting-of-two-seat-makers\/\">\n                    <figure class=\"useful-links__fig\">\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/charleroi-metropole-moto-artisan-500x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"A meeting of two seat makers\" class=\"useful-links__img\">\n                                            <\/figure>\n\n                    <span class=\"useful-links__title\">A meeting of two seat makers<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n\n<p>This work requires a great deal of concentration. \u201cWhen I am in my workshop, I go into my own little world. I mustn\u2019t be disturbed. Having to be so precise helps me to concentrate, get into the zone. I find it extremely therapeutic.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6789\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6789\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6789 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.charleroi-metropole.be\/app\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijou-mesure-1600x900.jpg\" alt=\"artisan-en-train-de-fabriquer-un-bijou\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijou-mesure-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijou-mesure-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijou-mesure-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-bijou-mesure.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6789\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jewellery-making requires precision and concentration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The apotheosis: presenting the jewellery to the customer<\/h2>\n<p>Finally, the moment that everyone has been waiting for arrives: the time when G\u00e9raldine presents the finished item to the customer. \u201cI find it hard to describe this particular exchange. When presenting the item, I really am becoming part of the history of this person, who I have spent hours working for. And the customer sees an important moment in his\/her life materialise. It\u2019s quite a moment, with emotions running high; it truly is beautiful,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6783\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6783\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6783 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.charleroi-metropole.be\/app\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-artisans-collier-bijou-1600x900.jpg\" alt=\"Decouverte-du-bijou-par-la-cliente\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-artisans-collier-bijou-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-artisans-collier-bijou-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-artisans-collier-bijou-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/charleroi-metropole-artisans-collier-bijou.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6783\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Customers are often moved when discovering the jewellery they had only imagined up to that point.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The reactions vary. Some cry, others are flabbergasted and all of them admire G\u00e9raldine\u2019s creativity. This moment creates a real bond between G\u00e9raldine and her client: \u201cAs the person is so much in my thoughts as I\u2019m designing it, they will think of me when they wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"useful-links\">\n    <ul class=\"useful-links__list\">\n                    <li class=\"useful-links__item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/decouvrir\/the-school-training-the-professionals-of-tomorrow\/\">\n                    <figure class=\"useful-links__fig\">\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/imce_-0372-500x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"The school training the professionals of tomorrow\u00a0\" class=\"useful-links__img\">\n                                            <\/figure>\n\n                    <span class=\"useful-links__title\">The school training the professionals of tomorrow\u00a0<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n\n<p>The process of selecting a craft jeweller gives a human dimension to jewellery-making.<\/p>\n<p>Discover all of G\u00e9raldine\u2019s creations on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/geraldineraulier\/?hl=fr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact\u00a0:<\/strong><br \/>\nG\u00e9raldine Raulier<br \/>\nTrieu Colinot, 21<br \/>\n6560 Solre\u00a0Sur\u00a0Sambre<br \/>\n+32.(0)499.239.288<br \/>\ninfo@geraldineraulier.be<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/www.geraldineraulier.be\/<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9Video and images\/J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gobin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>G\u00e9raldine Raulier, craft jeweller, creates unique and personalised jewellery, to reflect her customers\u2019 tastes. \u201cPeople often come to me with a very specific idea in mind. They want to honour a particular moment in their lives\u201d, explains G\u00e9raldine. \u201cIt might be a marriage, the passing of someone dear to them, a major life change\u2026 they [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":6795,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[402],"tags":[291,256,445,446,274,122,447,127,295],"class_list":["post-6873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-craft-industries","tag-autres-en-18","tag-autres-en","tag-cadeau-en","tag-gift","tag-autres-en-12","tag-start-up","tag-sucess-story","tag-sustainable","tag-autres-en-22"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6873"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/charleroi-metropole.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}