Know how
I discovered metal clay in 2016, after creating jewelry for 2 years using an assembly technique with already existing pieces.
I quickly came to the end of my possibilities with this already "ready-made" material which, in the end, largely hindered my creativity.
I wanted to be able to create a piece from A to Z, to "get my hands dirty" and put my own touch on each stage of the creation of a piece of jewellery.
This flexible metal paste works like clay and offers new manufacturing alternatives. Once fired (around 830° for bronze and 900° for silver and 950°), we obtain a jewel in solid, noble and durable metal.
This creative process is very broad, and I combine jewelry techniques (setting, soldering, hammering, polishing, etc.) and ceramist techniques (engraving, modelling, baking).
I also trained in traditional jewelry and thanks to that my art was able to take off!
These aspects of artisanal manufacture are so varied that you have to practice regularly and with passion to hope to master everything.
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It all starts with a drawing, the sketch of a leaf that I brought back from the forest, of an arabesque that I appreciated on a monument...then it's time to prepare the dough or a plate of raw metal, to model it, engrave it, sculpt it, sand it, drill it, file it, cook it, merge it, remove it, polish it...
The journey is long, always difficult, to succeed in obtaining a nicely finished piece, but I love it!
I perform a good twenty operations before being able to offer you a real goldsmith's piece. This "handmade" requires a lot of work and time, which is why my creations are produced in limited numbers.
By choosing to support craftsmanship and buy from a craftsman, you yourself guarantee the sustainability of this know-how which needs, in addition to passion, funds to keep it alive.
You have the guarantee of a human exchange and to obtain a unique piece, full of soul and beautiful attentions.
My story
As a student, while I was accompanying a friend to her acting classes, I quickly left the stage for the backstage where the local seamstress greeted me with kindness.
In the midst of these costumes from another era and delicate jewelry, I found my place and decided, a year later, to join a fashion design school to perfect my technique.
Then I practiced for several years as an autodidact, devouring many books on jewelry and watching no less than a hundred videos on metalworking.
The fusion of silver amazes me, sculpture fascinates me, cooking in the oven is, for me, worthy of an alchemist's secret!
I like to try to make the metal, which looks hard and raw, more flexible and softer between my fingers.
This duality, between the material used and my inspirations, allows me to transcend my creative abilities.
I try, with all my dexterity, to give a sheet of bronze as much lightness as the natural shoots harvested during my long walks in the forest.
I strive to achieve the feat of making a solid silver creation voluptuous and ethereal.
I want to see beauty, naturalness and poetry reign. I want to feel the magic in the middle of my workshop before it reaches you, thanks to my jewelry.
I am fascinated by Paganism, Nordic Mythology, romantic tales, awakening Nature, or even the flowery and voluptuous curves of Art Deco... Just as many inspirations that constantly amaze me and make my arts and crafts so fun to work with.
My favorite season is Spring: the return of leaves and light, and it is from the vernal equinox (called Ostara) that the name of my small business is taken.
I hope that my enchanted little world, so rich in folklore, will seduce you.
That my achievements will touch you, one way or another and that, why not, they will travel to you. Adopted into a brand new home!
Ecological Approaches
✿ Short circuits
Lostara wants to participate in a responsible economy.
This is why, for example, I carefully chose my raw material suppliers.
I favor French and European companies, for short circuits.
Less harmful to the environment.
✿ Recyclable
I use, for the pretty packaging in which the creations you adopt are sent, sets of recycled and recyclable cardboard packaging.
And to decorate your packages I collect dried flowers, leaves..., which I have picked myself, sparingly, in the garden or during my walks in the forest.
✿ Re- usable
Lostara jewelry is made from durable, quality metals.
Silver is well known for its resistance to time, as for Bronze, it is almost eternal! In this way, I promote intelligent and responsible consumption.
I use 75% recycled Silver and Bronze, high quality still usable waste produced by large industries. This allows me (and allows you!) to reduce and limit the waste of resources.
✿ Responsible harvest
Finally, I have selected lapidaries certified "Fairmined" and engaged in a responsible harvesting process who provide me with Natural stones.
They are rare, incredibly beautiful and ethically sourced.
