I love Locca Enamel Jewellery. This jewelry is so pretty and it keeps amazing me.
The owner of the shop, Yukiko, makes such beautiful items. I love the colors and the mix of materials.
I've asked Yukiko a few questions to find out more about her and her jewelry.
1) Your name doesn't sound Welsh, could you tell a bit more about your background and how you use it in your work?
Originally from Japan I have been living in Wales since 2010 and just
love having such wonderful and inspiring landscapes so near to hand, it
just makes me feel so close to nature. When I lived in Tokyo, often
described as a concrete jungle, I didn’t pay as much attention to the
landscape around me as I now do in Wales. Though when I was little, my
father would take us to the countryside all the time, also our family
was lucky enough to live in a rather special environment for Tokyo as
our landlord had a massive garden as a result of which I have a nice,
nostalgic feeling inside of me for nature. Like most British people, my
husband is very keen on gardening, and I’ve learned so much from him
about nature. The plants in our garden inspire me a lot and I design
jewellery to celebrate their life showing my appreciation for the
wonders of nature.
2) What inspires you?
Wales is a Celtic country and I feel there is a deep spiritual element
to the nature and landscape that surrounds us. Even though it's a part
of one of the worlds powerful developed countries, I think Wales has a
very unique and mysterious character – this might be because the country
has not been promoted widely to the rest of the world giving it an air
of mystery. Wales has notorious weather just like the rest of Britain;
the sky is constantly changing its appearance. But I actually love
equally both the blue and the cloudy atmospheric skies. On top of that,
as a result of this unstable crazy weather, it seems to provide perfect
conditions for lots of rainbows – I’ve never seen so many rainbows
until I came to Wales. Wales, as well as Japan, has a culture based on
animism. So nature is to me has a soul to which I feel like speaking,
this closeness and togetherness to and for nature is inspiring to me.
3) Where have you learned your craft?
My main practice, enamelling, is one of the traditional artisan crafts
of Japan. But unfortunately enamelling, especially cloisonné is not
such a common practice any more compared to a few decades ago – this
might be due to the extremely painstaking process of its technique. I
was lucky to have the chance to learn my craft under a ‘master’, who is a
world-renowned enameller. I studied under her in Tokyo, learning my
craft about ten years ago.
The enamel I use is called hard-enamel, which requires firing at higher
temperatures than common enamel graze. Hard enamel was produced
especially to allow artists to create opaque colours more easily.
Studying was fun and during this time I was able to represent Japan in
international exhibitions in Spain, France and Lithuania. At the same
time, I also needed to learn silversmithing so that I could create fully
original works, and not use mass-produced ready-made metal bases for
enamelling.
4) What is your favourite place in Wales?
I’ve been to so many wonderful places and you never seem to be more than
a half hour journey from either wonderful countryside, mountains, woods
or the sea. Which gives us lots of opportunities to have picnics
surrounded by nature – which I just love - also in early spring you can
see lambs all over Wales – so cute.
However my favourite place is a little village within the city of
Cardiff called Llandaff. It’s actually a ‘city’ itself as it has a
cathedral, a beautiful 12th century cathedral at the edge of the village
on the banks of a river. I still vividly remember the very first time I
visited Llandaff. It was at sunset in January and the suns ray just
shone off the golden stones of the cathedral I thought it was the most
beautiful place I’d seen. What always makes me so excited about
visiting Llandaff is the bird song – utterly mesmerizing.
I write a blog called Tales of Wales where I write about my everyday life in Wales.
I have also my Flickr page for Welsh landscape photography.
5) What should people who don’t know the country definitely know about Wales?
Besides its wonderful nature and super friendly people, I would
definitely recommend experiencing Welsh traditional folk music – it’s so
touching. I think the ‘exotic’ Welsh language makes the songs even
more special and unique. The Welsh language is one of the oldest
languages, still spoken,
though sadly not so many people nowadays speak Welsh. I would love to learn it in the near future.
Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in the
world – most castles are ruined unlike Japan where many of our castles
have been renovated old castles. These castles look magnificent in the
wild Welsh landscapes – they have a great presence and a sense of the
history they have seen. Wales is also the first country in the world to
have a path you can walk around that stretches around its coast and
border – this is great to enjoy the wonderful changing landscapes.
6) Could you tell a bit more about yourself?
I was born and brought up in Japan but since 2010, I’ve lived in Cardiff with my Welsh husband and our three Maine Coon cats.
I’m a jewellery designer and maker and I work mostly in enamel. Most of
my current designs are based on Japanese traditional motifs though I’m
currently working on new designs inspired by Wales and its Celtic
traditions as well as pieces that draw and combine influences from both
Wales and Japan.

7) Could you tell a bit more about your art and Etsy?
My Pinterest page introduces my works by collection – Celtic Garden and Japanese Edo-komon.
I joined Etsy in July 2014 and I’m proud of my shop and enjoy being a
part of Etsy. What I would like to offer people through my shop is the
opportunity to experience the uniqueness of handcrafted quality
jewellery. I’m passionate about preserving both the ancient enamelling
techniques and the traditional designs with a touch of modern taste. I
would be really happy if my creations could make the wearers’ life
happier.
Yukiko is a very skilled artist. I think her handwork is amazing. It's all so delicate with much care for detail.
I wish I could show you all of Yukiko's treasured jewelry in this post, ever single piece she makes is fabulous.
Yukiko's Etsy About page is very interesting. She describes the process of her jewelry making. I really liked reading about the process and the difficulty of the profession. Knowing something more about the techniques behind it makes this jewelry even more special in my opinion.
For one very lucky reader of my blog there will be a fantastic prize!
This Japanese Enamel Sterling Silver Necklace with Japanese Traditional Edo-komon 'Shippo-tsunagi' Motif in Black & Ivory will be sent to the winner of the giveaway. Good luck!
I will contact the winner via email. If I don't get a
reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my
giveaways are international.
very particular
ReplyDeleteBecause I love Japanese styles and culture :)
ReplyDeleteThe necklace is absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
it's beautiful and simple, just my style!
ReplyDeleteBecause it's classic, beautiful and durable.
ReplyDeleteBecause it's a unique design I've never seen before.
ReplyDeleteBecause it's both playful and elegant - a style I really like!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very delicate necklace and I'd love to go to Japan one day, so, it'd be a reminder of something I look forward to live!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win because it's really pretty but also because I love the Japanese influence. Domo arigato!
ReplyDeleteBecause it's so unusual and different
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win it because it such an unusual design and so different from other jewellery I have seen.
ReplyDeleteHazel Rea - @beachrambler
My best friend is fond of Japanese culture, she's also planning to go to Japan the next semester...I think this would make a perfect gift for her birthday!
ReplyDeleteeleonorerigby24(at)yahoo(dot)it
What beautiful works of art! And what an interesting person, I'm glad you got to do this interview, it was fun to read.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I'd like to win because I think the design is elegant and the craftsmanship looks lovely. Thanks for doing this giveaway.
I love the simplicity of the design and the fact that it can be worn with anything.
ReplyDeleteI would like to win because my mom would love to use.
ReplyDeleteAnd the pieces are wonderful :)
I love silver necklace. That too this necklace looks too stylish. So I like it very much.
ReplyDeleteI would never have known it was a Japanese traditional design, I thought of French parterre when I saw it, thinking of the Loire and its castles. Very interesting. So I love the necklace for its calming pattern and colours.
ReplyDeleteBecause it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMegan @ reading away the days
it's cute
ReplyDeleteI adore the style of this necklace and would like to give it to my daughter who is in her 20s and very sophisticated.
ReplyDelete******************
{in the contest I am Margot Core on the Rafflecopter}
Because i think it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt' s a very special jewelry
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces. I particularly love her pendant with the blue birds. xx
ReplyDeleteFirst of all because the word "japanese" caught my attention, I love Japan and its culture and then because I think is a very pretty necklace. Thanks for the chance! (Valentina -on the raffle)
ReplyDeleteIt's unlike anything else I have in my jewellery box & I liked how understated it is - it would look fab with so many outfits.
ReplyDeletebecause it's poetic and elegant i love it
ReplyDeleteBecause its beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBecause it is uniqe, very elegant and I like this style.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win, because I love earth colors in jewelry.
ReplyDeleteI like its peculiarities and characteristics, plus it's the perfect example of two cultures combined together!
ReplyDelete{I'm Ellie Di in the Rafflecopter}
Just simply beautiful, full of warmth and love.
ReplyDeleteIt has a mysterious look!
ReplyDeleteTo gift it to mu girlfriend <3
ReplyDeleteI'd love to add it my necklace collection. Is super cute and goes well with various outfits that already crossed my mind.
ReplyDeleteMy sister would LOVE this necklace - id love to win it for her.
ReplyDeleteMy sister would LOVE this necklace - id love to win it for her.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and unique and would make me smile every time I saw it and/or wore it!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne and all her friends!! Thank you so much for all your inspiring comments and entries!! I'm so honoured:) You make me super happy!! Love from Wales :)
ReplyDeleteIt is very lovely, and I would love to try it on.
ReplyDeleteBecause I love silver jewellery, the colours are beautiful and I love the Japanese influence as I have been practicing Martial Arts for over 20 years and have a real pull towards the Japanese culture!
ReplyDeleteI want to win it because it is so unusual
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win because it is super gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe necklace is Absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeletei'm necklace lover and i don't have necklace like that
id like to win the necklace because its different then other necklaces i have seen
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful and unusual
ReplyDeleteI love the traditional Japanese craftsmanship that goes in to this necklace!
ReplyDeleteHello! I would like to win this necklace because it's so pretty. I also like that it's handmade. Thank-you. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win because I really love jewelerry :)
ReplyDeleteas a silversmith i value the workmanship in her work
ReplyDeleteI am big fan of all thing Japanese, and love the style of this necklace x
ReplyDeleteBecause it is my birthday and a necklace would be a lovely present to me to win, plus I love the design
ReplyDelete