Hubert and Anneke are getting married and would like to have beautiful rings made by a goldsmith.
On a cold winter day, I met them in my studio and while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, we started talking about the design. Hubert had some old jewellery that he wanted to have re-used for this special occasion. With care, I measure the diamonds and weigh the gold. Anneke shows pictures of ideas she likes, and with pen in hand, I bring their wishes to life.
In the course of our lives, we sometimes have moments when our hearts are deeply touched. Such a moment I experienced when I met Ilona, a woman with a gentle gleam in her eyes, but also a quiet sadness that lay behind it; the loss of her faithful companion, her beloved dog Diessel.
Ilona wanted a tangible reminder of Diessel. She saw my jewelry and immediately knew I was the one to help her create a unique keepsake of her beloved four-legged friend.
Miami, Florida – a symphony of sunshine, palm trees and an ocean breeze that greets you. As I think back on my time at the fair in Miami, I still feel the excitement that coursed through my veins from the moment I left, even in the midst of an impending hurricane.
When I think of the fauna and flora of South Africa, there is one flower that immediately captivates you with its extraordinary beauty – the protea. With its striking shapes and vibrant colors, the protea is a true source of inspiration for me as an artist. For me personally, this flower has won a special place in my heart, which is why I like to use the protea as a theme in my jewelry.
The unique Characteristics of the protea
The protea, also known as the sugarbush, is not just any flower. It is a genus of flowering plants that includes more than a hundred different species, each with its own unique characteristics. What makes the protea truly special are its striking flower heads, which range from subtle to dramatic. From the sleek, conical inflorescences of the King Protea to the soft, fluffy flowers of the Blushing Bride, each protea is a work of art in itself.
Protea in my jewelry line
As a jewelry designer, I have been inspired by the timeless beauty of the protea. In my collection, you will find pendants, earrings and rings inspired by the elegant shapes and delicate details of this beautiful flower. I use high quality materials such as silver and gold to bring the natural grace of the protea to life in my designs.
Are you as fascinated and enamored with the protea as I am? Please contact me and I will be happy to create a piece of jewelry to your specifications.
A green tourmaline in the center of the flower whose setting is inspired by the protea flower. The beautiful leaf shape is a graceful accent to this ring. The yellow gold creates a beautiful color with the green stone.The design of this ring is the protea flower with delicate leaf motifs on either side. A diamond in the center of the flower adds an accent of sparkle. I lovingly designed and made this ring for my daughter.Yellow gold protea earrings.
As a goldsmith, I often get the opportunity to create unique and personalized pieces. This was also the case with the gold pendant I recently made for Joep Kruikemeier, a talented billiard player who competed in the Dutch Three-Belt Large Championship.
Joep, a key member of Team Nieuw Diemen, asked me to create a pendant that would reflect his passion for billiards. The result was a beautiful piece with billiard sticks and billiard balls made of gold.
In the fabric of friendship, we often find the most beautiful inspiration. A friend like Reynhard is a rare person with a deep understanding of the processes of life, with whom I have the most meaningful conversations. It was my privilege to make a ring, a ring that is not just a piece of metal, but a reflection of the earth and its roughness, of the continual course of life.
This is an initiative to uplift local craft communities, provide an opportunity to connect with fellow artisans, highlight South African products and craftsmanship to an audience abroad and promote international trade in South Africa.
Femke Kleisen, together with her partner and apprentice, Rinus Franken work together to manufacture her signature range of African jewellery in precious metals from their studio based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Come and visit South Africa’s display at the fair in JIS Miami, USA- Miami, from September 30 to October 3, 2022.
This is an initiative to uplift local craft communities, provide an opportunity to connect with fellow artisans, highlight South African products and craftsmanship to an audience abroad and promote international trade in South Africa.
Femke Kleisen, together with her partner and apprentice, Rinus Franken work together to manufacture her signature range of African jewellery in precious metals from their studio based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Come and visit South Africa’s display at the fair in JIS Miami, USA- Miami, from September 30 to October 3, 2022.
Looking back on 2021, it was a year of big decisions and challenges and many hours of intensive work to open a branch of FK Designs in the Netherlands. South African Bishop Desmond Tutu once wisely said, “ there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time .” My project was also like a big elephant that I had to solve piece by piece, to get everything in place. But I managed to succeed!
Rinus works hard in our studio in Pretoria to make all the jewellery. He is driven and dedicated.
We also started making a series of earrings. There are still some nuts to crack. We hope to introduce the earrings line soon.
I am looking forward to 2022 and we have great plans for FK Designs to touch your heart!
