Manufacturing secrets
Who am I?
Hello!
I'm Anne, an illustrator for over 20 years and creator of MATILOU, the brand of gold-tattooed porcelain jewelry, which I launched in 2023.
After a residency training at the Matière Contact workshop in Lyon, I launched myself!
Modeling
This is when I create my collections. I spend a lot of time sketching and researching new shapes, designs, or styles.
Taking my time, testing new ideas, new shapes, and material combinations.
This is the most creative stage!
The drawing
After 20 years of illustrating books, I find here the lightness of gesture and creativity again.
Rock, mischievous words, symbols, floral or vegetal.
I find my inspiration as much in nature as in the world of fashion and tattooing.
The field of possibilities is infinite!
Enameling
This is the most satisfying step to watch, but the least gratifying to perform.
Unlike most ceramists, I glaze my jewelry on both sides, because I like the completely smooth feel, both to the touch and on the skin.
This requires a tremendous amount of time and patience.
The first enamel firing
I work with a single firing for my jewelry.
The first firing, the glaze, is at 1260°.
Porcelain is a bit of a drama queen clay, so I try to let it "deform" as it pleases.
No drying constraints, for example, and that's what I like. The irregularity, the unique nature of each piece of jewelry. You can feel the handcraft behind each piece.
Porcelain shrinks between 12 and 18% during firing, so this must be taken into account during modeling.
My rings, for example, I call them Cinderella Rings, because each one has a unique size, which cannot be determined in advance.
They just have to find your finger!
Gold
Now, this is a bit technical!
I have to wear a mask because of the solvents that keep the gold liquid. I work in an air extraction booth and with a jeweller's loupe.
It's not a comfortable process, but once again my creativity can fully express itself!
I often change the design at the last second, depending on the pieces I have in front of me.
Oven ON!!!
This is the culmination of over a month's worth of work.
It's like opening a precious gift every time.
It's sparkling, it's beautiful!
This is certainly the most rewarding moment in the entire process.
Right after seeing you wear my jewelry 🤩
Jewellery assembly
I have decided to work with gold-plated stainless steel findings (chains and rings).
This allows me to keep the price of each piece of jewelry reasonable.
The finished jewelry!
Now it's up to you to choose the jewelry that best suits you!
