Simeon Shomov

Jewellery maker

©Simeon Shomov

Bringing fairy tales to life

Simeon’s jewellery tells vivid stories and engage the mind
His sense of humour matches his fantastic imagination
He is always looking at the bright side of life

Among Simeon Shomov’s professional aspirations to continue working without glasses stands out. Born in Sofia in 1985 to artistic parents – he grew up just in time to miss the roaring Socialist regime in Bulgaria – he remembers wanting to be a famous actor. Later his wish morphed into wanting to become a businessman. Simeon graduated in computer science and quickly reached the conclusion that his vocation lay elsewhere. He found it in jewellery making. Simeon’s pieces are finely woven fairy tales, in which one can peel layer after layer of imagination and magnetism. He replenishes his creative bucket mostly in nature, ideally with his girlfriend, affectionately referred to as 'the Goblin' and Panteley (their camper) – they like to travel and discover new, wonderful places for counting stars or swimming in the sea and surfing. He then transforms these memories into unique jewellery pieces.

Interview

©Simeon Shomov

©Simeon Shomov

What prompted you to take up jewellery making?: It proved to be the most comfortable way to materialise my dreams and unleash my fantasy: I create little stories, not jewellery. Most jewellery says nothing, I make my pieces talk. They move, ignite people's imagination and are carried with them in their best moments: I want the jewellery to make them dream.
What are the most significant events in your career?: Once I unexpectedly won the audience award in a rather large exhibition of designer jewellery abroad: it was a great pleasure and recognition. A few years ago, a gallery owner from Australia came to Sofia specifically to see me: I soon realised that there are easier ways to pay for heating and electricity besides robbing a bank!
Do you imagine who might be wearing your jewellery?: Certainly a dreamer, with a wild imagination. Perhaps someone who loves to drink wine and watch the sunset from the beach or from the terrace of a cosy house in the mountains. Someone who likes going to the theatre and hates wearing a Covid-19 mask when you can never tell if they are smiling or not.
Which are your favourite techniques, materials and colours?: They vary every day. Today, for example, was some hellishly hard pebble that ruined my diamond drill. I really like dark oxidation, especially when there is a fracture, it is very well detected in oxidised jewellery.

Simeon Shomov is a master artisan: he began his career in 2008 and he started teaching in 2015