HI, I'M BERNI – THE FACE BEHIND MALT JEWELLERY!
I design and make every piece of MALT jewellery by hand. I'm largely self-taught as I originally trained to be a translator (you'll notice I often use words from the foreign languages I speak to name my work!) and made the decision to go in a new direction just before turning 30.
For me, creating wearable art with a fundamentally minimalist aesthetic comes partly from a desire to lend a sense of simplicity and order to the world, which, as a neurodiverse person, can often seem chaotic and overwhelming. I want my work to be easy to understand and honest in its design.
It is absolutely crucial, too, that the little universe/gallery that I have created for my work, namely MALT Jewellery, embodies my values: doing as little harm to people, animals and the planet as possible, and actively supporting projects that aim to make the world a better place.
In my work, I take inspiration from modern architecture, interior design and industrial buildings and processes. I'm also influenced by a love of abstract art, textiles, ceramics and clothing. My jewellery is deliberately non-gendered (unisex). I aspire to create edgy pieces that are bold in their simplicity. I like to craft broadly geometric shapes but with a softened form or blurred edges, frequently incorporating inviting, tactile textures that feel soothing and inspire calm.
