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Chalermkwan

"My full name is Chalermkwan Veerasilp, and I believe that my father, an architect, definitely influenced my wanting to be a designer. I graduated in interior design from Bangkok Rangsit University in 1996, where I was taught techniques applicable to every line of arts. When I completed my studies, I was hired as an interior designer in Bangkok where I worked for five years.

"One day I met a jewelry dealer and we talked about his business, about designing and he asked me if I would be interested in designing jewelry for him. It was only a part time job but I found this craft interesting and I also thought about the future, about freedom in my work, about growing bored with interior design, and decided that I had better be my own boss. So I quit and started anew, with jewelry designing.

"I had only just started this new job when my sister asked me, upon getting married, whether I would be interested in taking over her art shop. My boyfriend and I consulted together and we agreed to do it. I now mostly mount stones and silver beads on strings to create unusual and beautiful items. I buy the stones from markets and itinerant dealers from various countries, and once I have everything at hand, I try to enhance the value of these materials with my designing skills. I draw the shapes on paper and string the materials by hand. If I do not like the result I try and change the stones or the complete design and start again.

"I am now happier and feel freer because I work on my own and I have an open field of creativity. I use my own ideas and do business my way, not other people's way, as it happened in the company. I love my work and I really give it my best. My motto is 'do the best for today.' In the future, I will hopefully provide the four corners of the world with my handicrafts. These handmade products are not mass marketable; they are made with simple and elegant designs and are not outdated."