Tanja undertook her initial apprenticeship at the Pforzheim Goldsmithing school in Germany before moving to England to complete her Masters degree in Metalwork and Jewellery. After being awarded a Crafts Council grant she set up her studio in 2000. Since then she gained recognition in the jewellery world with many exhibitions nationally and internationally.
Tanja creates sculptural Silver and Gold jewellery with a colourful range of gemstones and sometimes a Meteorite lands as well.
‘My passion is to look for the natural beauty in gemstones, the unexpected patterns that form in agates, quartzes to the stunning flashes of colour in opals that spark the imagination and create a response. I am fascinated by the stones origins and unearthed surroundings.
The work starts with basic geometric forms which are developed into wearable objects. I love using wax, wood or building materials to create the models for my rings. The range of materials allows me the freedom of form while adding texture and different qualities to the piece.
Eventually the stones become the prominent part of the work and are combined with gold, silver and Korean Kumboo (an ancient Korean gold fusing technique). The finish is the setting of the gemstones which I always enjoy the most. She aims to create joyful and vibrant pieces. The recent series ‘outside’ tells the story of experiences in the natural world.’
