Anna Reiss

Jewellery maker

©Patricia Weisskirchner

©Anna Reiss

©Patricia Weisskirchner

©Anna Reiss

A sense for shining

Anna loves working with silver
Music enhances her work focus
She was set on a path to become a vet before turning to jewellery making

Anna Reiss balances two distinct passions: the boundless creativity of artistry and the methodical precision of natural sciences. Despite seven years devoted to veterinary studies, Anna felt a magnetic pull toward jewellery making. A pivotal moment came during a workshop visit, prompting her to swap her stethoscope for a soldering iron. Her creative process revolves around crafting collections, often influenced by scientific themes, such as space. Anna begins by jotting down thoughts, followed by thorough research. Sketching marks the start, a phase she humorously labels "very chaotic." Initial drawings serve as rough blueprints, subject to spontaneous enhancements. Anna concedes that final pieces rarely match initial sketches. "Embracing the fluidity of artistic expression is key," she says.

Interview

©Anna Reiss

©Anna Reiss

What is your favourite material?: Silver has been my preferred material since the beginning. Its brilliant shine reflects surrounding light intensely, fascinatingly altering its colour under different lighting conditions. I appreciate its softness, allowing for easy bending and shaping, akin to the fluidity of water.
What are your optimal working conditions?: Music is really important to me. I have a playlist that I listen to while working. It is calm, relaxing music, often only instrumental. For the past two years, it has been my constant companion, helping me enter a concentrated state. It allows me to focus solely on the task at hand, blocking out all distractions.
What techniques do you particularly love?: I mostly employ traditional methods, especially with extensive assembly work, which has underscored the significance of soldering for me. Despite dealing with minute joints, I excel in optimising metal connections. This demands expertise not only in managing the flame and materials but also intuition.
How do you deal with mishaps?: With time, I have learnt to cope more effectively with pieces failing. Fortunately, most jewellery is repairable. If mistakes occur, there is room for correction: melting metal back, resetting stones. This process, though challenging, facilitates progress and it helps to end the phase on a positive note.

Anna Reiss is a rising star: she began her career in 2020