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Drawing and design have always been an interest, and since I was little I have enjoyed being able to please others by creating something very special – just for them.
When it came time to choose my education, the choice was easy: it had to be jewelry design. In 2005, I traveled to England for what would become the beginning of the adventure of my life.
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Three years later, I stood with a bachelor's degree in hand and an absolutely fantastic opportunity; as the first and only Norwegian, I was selected for the Bishopland Educational Trust – a one-year specialist course for young, promising jewellers. I got to live, design, produce and sell my own jewellery for a year. Simply living the dream life. And with hard work came reward; I was chosen to exhibit my own designs at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. An honour, and not least a fantastic experience!
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In 2009 I travelled to Scotland. Master engraver Malcolm Appleby welcomed me and introduced me to hand engraving. I was hooked from the first second – instantly and forever in love with the craft. Since then I have visited Appleby frequently for in-depth studies in engraving.
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When I moved from England, my adventure took me to San Francisco. I was invited to a three-month artistic residency at CELLspace, where I apprenticed with master engraver Hratch Nargizian. The art of hand engraving is exactly that – an art. It required patience, creativity, precision and, last but not least, a steady hand. I ended my stay in San Francisco with a private exhibition of my jewelry.
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Since then I have taken a journeyman certificate in goldsmithing, a journeyman certificate as a hand engraver, a PPU in vocational subjects, a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship and economics. I established my workshop in Oslo and lived there for over 10 years. My jewelry brand has sold in jewelry stores in Norway and abroad, and constantly appears in the media.
Hand engraving is still my great passion.
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Today I run Gravør Gathe, where I offer goldsmith services and jewelry engraving, while also teaching courses in engraving and goldsmith techniques.
In my workshop in Telemark, I am lucky enough to design, create and hand engrave jewelry every single day. After almost 15 years of specializing, I am still fascinated by hand engraving and the complexity of the art – and fortunately there is still much to discover!