BAJ Podcast

Julia Maria Künnap’s unique perspective on stone carving

A conversation with Julia Maria Künnap who is an Estonian jewellery artist and self-taught gemstone carver who transforms gems into sweeping brush strokes and molten forms. We will discuss her contemporary take on the material and how she got started with gemstone carving, as well as what it is like to be a contemporary jeweller today.

Julia Maria Künnap graduated in 2004 from the Estonian Academy of Arts' Jewellery Art Department under Professor Kadri Mälk. A 2018 recipient of the renowned Herbert Hofmann Prize, Künnap is known for her mysteriously and meticulously carved lapidary work. Her work has been included in group and solo exhibitions around the world. Julia Maria Künnap currently lives and works in Tallinn, Estonia.

Less (Bad) Design with Matthew Manos

A conversation with Matthew Manos, founder and managing director of verynice, a design strategy practice that gives half of its services away for free to non-profit organizations. Matthew details the work he does with his company as well as one of his toolkits, Less (Bad) Design: A Toolkit For Ethical Ideation, that challenges designers to consider the ethical impact of their designs.

With a portfolio of work that has reached millions of people across the globe, verynice’s client experience spans 1,000+ brands including the American Heart Association, Apple, the City of Los Angeles, Disney Imagineering, Google, REI, and the United Nations. We will talk to him about his company, his ambitions for the future and the idea of a toolkit he published to eradicate bad design.

Fascinating Faceting with Justin Prim

A conversation with stone cutter Justin Prim, on the art and craft of faceting stones, his digital YouTube platform, and his life in Thailand.

Justin K Prim is an American lapidary, author, and gemologist living and working in Bangkok, Thailand. He has studied gemcutting traditions all over the world as well as attending gemology programs at GIA and AIGS. He recently launched his first book, The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting, about the art of gemstone cutting. Justin works as a Lapidary Instructor as well as writing articles, producing videos, and giving talks about gem cutting history.

Learning the Art of Stone Carving with Paul Morris

A conversation with graduate Paul Morris, who is working in the gemstone city Idar-Oberstein as a jeweller and stone carver.

Fun and originality with Tatty Devine

A conversation with Harriet and Rosie about their jewellery brand Tatty Devine, the world's go-to for fun and original statement pieces, on their journey from the brand's start in 1999. Since then, through Tatty Devine, Rosie and Harriet have achieved much, including collaborations with industry greats and recognition for their contribution to the fashion and jewellery industries.

Curating Jewellery with Sarah Rothwell

A conversation with Sarah Rothwell, the Curator of Modern & Contemporary Design at National Museums Scotland, about her work and the various elements that have impacted her career choices. She currently holds responsibility for the collections of British, European and other 'Western' glass, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery and industrial design circa 1945-present. 

Intuitive and Personal Jewellery Making with All That Glitters' Tamara Gomez

In this episode, we speak to Tamara Gomez, finalist of BBC show All That Glitters. Tamara details what led her to become a jeweller, her experience on the reality TV show and her career in jewellery.

An insight into the Responsible Jewellery Council

A conversation with the executive director of the Responsible Jewellery council Iris van der Veken on the work the RJC undertakes, its support for the industry, and the challenges we face to create a responsible jewellery industry.

Tracing Contemporary Jewellery

A conversation with Saskia Kolff– van Es, a Dutch art historian who writes about contemporary jewellery, on her interest in the meaning people attach to jewellery and the histories behind jewellery materials.

Mastery and risk taking with granulation and metal

A conversation with artist, craftsman, researcher and educator Dr David Huycke on his innovative work with granulation and metal. An insight into the considered practice of an artist balancing craft, poetry and profession.