HANDMADE W. GOLDSMITH BIRTE MARKVAD

HANDMADE
At the heart of everything we do is handmade. It’s about the time, care and craftsmanship that go into making something truly special. We’re celebrating every skilled hand and creative mind that brings ideas and authenticity to life with their handmade pieces.

Birte - Goldsmith
Meet Birte, Pilgrim’s very own goldsmith, who tells about the true beauty of handmade craftsmanship. To her, handmade means more than just creating; it’s about connecting with the raw materials, learning their properties and shaping them with care into pieces that reflect the artistry and attention that only handmade jewellery can.

What is your story, and how did you become a goldsmith?
I am a self-taught goldsmith, having previously worked as an art teacher. When I started working at Pilgrim, I drew the designs by hand, but I later transitioned to using a computer to design the jewellery.
The real turning point came when I was handed my father-in-law's goldsmithing tools. This opened up an entirely new world for me – one where I got to work with the elements in my hands. I started taking courses and learning from a network of highly skilled jewellers in Denmark. And a few years later, I went to India, where I spent three months working with experienced goldsmiths and learning from their techniques and culture. It was an incredible place to learn from the best.
The creative process means a lot to me, and working with the materials firsthand has taught me their properties in a way that theory never could. I often try non-traditional techniques to find new ways to create new pieces.

What is your story, and how did you become a goldsmith?
I am a self-taught goldsmith, having previously worked as an art teacher. When I started working at Pilgrim, I drew the designs by hand, but I later transitioned to using a computer to design the jewellery.
The real turning point came when I was handed my father-in-law's goldsmithing tools. This opened up an entirely new world for me – one where I got to work with the elements in my hands. I started taking courses and learning from a network of highly skilled jewellers in Denmark. And a few years later, I went to India, where I spent three months working with experienced goldsmiths and learning from their techniques and culture. It was an incredible place to learn from the best.
The creative process means a lot to me, and working with the materials firsthand has taught me their properties in a way that theory never could. I often try non-traditional techniques to find new ways to create new pieces.

What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the creative freedom it offers, and one of the most exciting aspects is the unpredictability of where the ideas might lead. A concept that starts in one place can evolve and end up somewhere entirely unexpected. This constant exploration keeps the work truly exciting. I love trying new things and seeing how far the creativity can take me.

What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the creative freedom it offers, and one of the most exciting aspects is the unpredictability of where the ideas might lead. A concept that starts in one place can evolve and end up somewhere entirely unexpected. This constant exploration keeps the work truly exciting. I love trying new things and seeing how far the creativity can take me.

Do you have a dream project for the future?
A dream project for me would be working sculpturally with some of my pieces, bringing them to a larger scale. And, of course, also continue my current work, where I get to work on many small dream projects every day.