Ethnasia

"Originality begins with creativity: creating an innovative and useful concept at the same time. But it's not over yet. The people are the originals who make their vision a reality." - Adam Grant

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am Fani and I am 29 years old. I am the owner of Ethnasia. Currently I live in Xanthi. It's a small town in northern Greece, where we recently established our company's offices.

Where does the love of jewelry come from? Why did you become a jewelry designer?

I discovered my love for the jewelry 5 years ago when I visit Samothraki, while I was a student. In Samothraki I met a craftsman who was creating beautiful macrame and I asked him to teach me how to make jewelry. That's how all the fun began...

What techniques do you work with? 

I use macrame which is a technique with threads and knots. Also, some jewelries are made with beads, and others are metallic hand-carved from wax.

What do you like best about this profession?

I really enjoy that it allows my imagination and my creativity to be free. I couldn't imagine doing anything else than an artistic profession.

What are you most proud of in your professional career so far?

It really makes me proud the fact that from a freelancer jewelry maker I built a big audience on Instagram and now I have a company with an impact and consistent buyers-supporters who love my jewelries.

How would you describe the style of your jewelry?

Pure boho with ethnic characteristics.

Sure, the decision is hard, but I'm very curious: which collection is closest to you?

I am very inspired by the nature. So, I love the jewelries that I make in the summer in Samothraki while being next to the waterfalls and feeling the pulse of mountains.

When did you "save" for the first time? When was it made and what was your first piece of jewelry like?

I am making jewelry the last 8 years but the last 4 years I do it as a job. At the beginning it was just a hobby but 4 years ago I understood that if I tried to do it more professionally, I would manage to transform my hobby into a job.

What materials, what properties are combined in the creations?

I try to use different materials, especially checking for new materials during my travels. I use silver, brass, stainless steel, breads, threads and of course natural stones.

What are you working on now?

We are working for a first time a men's ring collection. We are broadening our audience expanding to the men's group and I am very excited for this!

What age group do your works address? Who wears your jewelry?

The main age group is between 20 with 35. Mostly, they prefer my jewelry people with boho and alternative style. Besides this group, I've noticed that also other people are open to wear my jewelry. Probably someone with less alternative look, but who wants to give a boho touch on his summer outfit.

Do I have to imagine a DIY workshop-like place where you work?

At this time, I cannot make all the jewelry alone like in the beginning. Although we have moved to Xanthi, I still have my workshop in Didimoticho (the town I was born) and I live between these two cities. I am going back to workshop to create the new collection and then back to my office in Xanthi to do all the promotion staff.

Did you soon find a community you feel comfortable with?

I found very quickly the community which liked my creations. Firstly, there were my friends and my inner circle, the friends who I made in the island of Samothraki. Then, very soon I made up the community on Instagram with which I felt very comfortable.

What was the most helpful advice or feedback you received?

I receive everyday mails by people who have received the jewelry I make and they are happy with them. This feedback is the most important for me and give me energy and inspiration to go on.

Do you basically like working alone or do you need company, feedback?

I usually work with the company of my boyfriend who is a main part of this journey.

Do you have a favorite material?

Natural stones are my favorite for sure. I am always excited when I see what nature makes and trying to find a way to use these beauties in my jewelries.

To be able to place a lot of information in a piece of jewelry, you need a lot of knowledge. You need to know thoroughly the history of the materials and their meanings. What and how do you feed spiritually?

The most important for me is travelling. By going to different countries, I can meet different cultures and traditions. I am always curious exploring how other nations can make jewelries and which traditional method they use. 

To sum it all up, what is the area that can give you the most joy and creativity to this day, can it be separated at all or do they together give you completeness?

I enjoy every single moment in this job. My life is full of creativity and my job includes travelling, meeting new people, taking part in festivals. All these make me enjoy my job and my everyday life. I am more than happy making what I really like.

Do you believe in the power of stones?

Of course, when I visited Samothraki, I felt that I am inspired by the strong bond with the nature. And the stones are a part of this bond.

Since prehistoric times, both women and men have loved to adorn themselves. Why do you think it is important to wear jewelry in everyday life?

I wear as many jewelries as I can in my everyday life. I load my hands, my neck, and my ears with the jewelries that I feel that I want to wear. Each day I choose something different. Jewelries is our way to express ourselves, we carry some art with us and that's beautiful.

Is it possible to know people's personalities simply by the jewelry they wear?

Definitely, what we wear is who we are. That's way when I sell on a flea market, I enjoy meeting my clients and propose them the jewel that I believe it's the most compatible to their style/personality.

What ordinary things or sights help you in your work? What inspires you?

I prefer working outside my workshop next to the nature, in a nice café-bistort. I know that this cannot happen everyday but even a small thing sometimes gives me inspiration. So, I am inspired by nature, travelling and by small beautiful little things of everyday life.

Was it the case in your case that a piece of jewelry was made in the most interesting or instructive way?

Every day I try to make something new with a new material. I feel really excited. It is the most interesting time, because my mind gets full of new images and dreams.

How do you imagine yourself in ten years?

Still doing what I love the most, creating jewelries.