Designer Spotlight: Catherine Marche
A brief story of what you do and why you do it
I design and hand make limited edition bespoke jewelry with a hint of French playfulness. My elegant and chic creations are made of precious metals enhanced by semi-precious stones and pearls for a clientele who rejoices wearing something with an individual sense of style. I have several collections for all occasions.
My creations include engagement and wedding rings, rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets created in limited edition or as bespoke orders.
I believe “Everyone deserves to look and feel stunning with beautiful and playful pieces which enhance their inner beauty and is a fashion statement of the wearer’s personality.”
How did you get into jewelry design?
I was always interested in wearing jewellery. I made a few beaded pairs of earrings and necklaces as a child. I progressed later on to commissioning pieces like earrings, pendants and rings to be made to my specifications. A natural progression was to learn how to make them myself.
What materials do you work with?
I work with sterling silver and 18K gold. I also like setting gemstones and pearls. My favorite pearls are baroque unusual shape pearls and lustrous dark Tahitian pearls. The gemstones I am fond of this season are sapphire, aquamarine, white moonstone and tourmalines
What makes your collection unique?
I designs with soft lines, simplicity and colour, and that gives my collection an elegant timeless chic edge. I love to create bespoke designs to commission with the challenge of making a dream come to life. I like mixing new and antique technique like photo etching and Keum Boh or granulation.
My pieces are quite versatile, allowing the wearer to mix them and wear the same items in different occasions to create a different look.
What are your inspirations?
My inspiration comes from my French cultural heritage and is fuelled by my travels. Think French cancan meets statue of Liberty (which is also French, LOL ). Ideas just come to me when I am in a great mood. I usually like to listen to music when crafting and the style of the music may dictate my work that day.
I am also in awe of antique jewellery: Roman, Greek and Egyptian, which I love contemplating in museums. It is fabulous being able to change and adapt depending on the music I am listening to, the materials I am dealing with, the colors I am inspired by, the words that come to my mind.
Sometimes, I will think of a word (like Temptation), and create a line around it.
Sometimes, I will be inspired by a gemstone and create a setting around it to enhance its beauty.
How are you making a difference in your life?
I sponsor charities, and send money from my profit to people and children far away. For example on Kiva, I help people set up their business ventures, Bethany children home for aids orphans in South Africa, Tara (Romanian orphans)…
What's something unusual about you that makes you “you”?
Hum, that is not an easy question! I have a lovely French accent, and speak several different languages. Having lived in several countries, I am able to understand how taste varies from one place to another depending on your culture.
What's the biggest struggle in running your jewelry business like a business? OR What is your biggest success in running your business like a business?
Struggle… constant promotion and lookout for new venues is a big challenge. Most jobs only are from 9 to 5pm, being an artist is a whole different way of life. You think it, you dream it, you make it, you are IT.
The biggest success for me is to realise that people around the world appreciate my pieces. It warms up by heart and encourages me to continue. It is a big pleasure and honour knowing a person will cherish what you have made and give it an emotional value as it often represents a moment in someone’s life.
Hello, my name is Catherine Marche, I am a French designer from Paris, brought-up internationally, now established in London. Passionate about jewels, I design elegant, chic and stylish jewellery pieces. I am an active member of jewellery associations in the UK and my work has been published in a few jewellery books.
https://shop.Catherinemarche-designs.com/ in the UK
https://kalicat.etsy.coom for USA
https://kalicat.alittlemarket.com for France
and https://kalicat.dawanda.com for Europe
Twitter: @Catherinemarche
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-Marche-Jewellery
Pinterest https://pinterest.com/Catherinemarche/
