Geraldine Fenn is a South African Jewellery designer balancing creative innovation with the demands of running a business. Geraldine Fenn originally dreamed of pursuing a dream in archaeology yet instead went out on a whim and became a jewellery designer. Geraldine Fenn studied at the Durban University of Technology, Fenn then set up shop in the late 1990’s and has been making one-of-a-kind pieces ever since. Fenn, along with her husband (Eric Loubser, a fellow jewellery designer) are active in the creative scene. Their shop stocks quirky, hand crafted jewellery designed by some of the country’s most original designers. Fenn helped curate the jewellery section of the Design Indaba Expo for many years and understands the balance of creative innovation and the demands of running her business. Fenn, a designer on the other end of the spectrum has conflicted views about 3D printing in the jewellery industry. Fenn is not directly influenced by what happens in the broader industry as her work is contemporary, handmade, bespoke pieces, rather than mass produced commercial stuff. Fenn recognises that the industry is rapidly moving towards computer-aided design and 3D printing, and sees this as a negative thing, as the idea of old-school hand working skills are being lost. Knowing the possibilities of what 3D printing offers Fenn remains convinced that the pieces that are produced through 3D printing machines “churn out very boring, repetitive, anonymous jewellery”. Fenn remains positive because although these traditional methods of manufacturing might get ‘lost’ people will still value a handmade, unique piece more (designidaba.com).
