Markaplan

Mark Kaplan, the man behind Markaplan, a Etsy shop with extraordinary fine jewelry, recently took time from his schedule to allow FemmeDetails to interview him. I recently took notice of Mark’s work due to his dedication to both quality and uniqueness. His education at the Rhode Island School of Design and work as a metalsmith has given Mark the skill to create fabulous works of art to be worn. In particular, Mark has one line of jewelry that uses silk thread to give the pieces vibrant color. However, his process allows for the owner to remove the thread, if they desire, so that other thread can be used in it’s place, and, thus, allow the jewelry to match other outfits. In another line of jewelry, Mark has been recycling a variety of found items, such as beer bottle caps and toiletry bottles, to add color to his pieces.

In his own words:

What types of items do you sell?

Handmade fine jewelery mostly …….I’m a metalsmith and sometimes I make spoons or buttons or other small scale precious objects, but it is primairly personal adornament.

How did you get into your craft?

My first boy scout merit badge was in jewelery making and that was a very very long time ago…. later, as an adult, I attended The Rhode Island School of Design in the department of jewelery and metalsmithing.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I rely on two main sources of inspiration: travel and nature

I spend a whole lot of my time in south Asia {India across to Viet Nam} and enjoy working and connecting to local jewelers there….. In the west i find a much great emphasis on technology in design while in aisa the focus is far more tradition based. I love the mix. I have recently moved back to the USA from Rome and both of my studios in Italy and in the US were chock full of tools, equipment a and gadgets…. When i work in India, i sit on the floor on carpets instead of a traditional western jewelers bench… We use very few tools; often the tools were handed down from father to son for several generations… There may be only 7 or 8 tools but you can still get a whole lot of work done with them if you know how. I enjoy learning and sharing with the local metalsmiths i encounter in my travels….

My other source of inspiration is nature. I enjoy camping and own several kayaks. I enjoy to go to the beach to collect stones to set into precious metals. The book of natural imagery photography by Karl Blossfelt is also great for ideas.

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