Scan Magazine – August 2018

Issue 115 | August 2018 | 31

Pastel colours, sweets and forest creatures are among the sources of inspiration
for entrepreneur Jenna Silvander. Her Silvart range of accessories and personal
adornments has gone from strength to strength, proving that playfulness and
practicality are a winning combination.

By Jo Iivonen | Photos: Tommi Waltzer Photography

“Silvart specialises in creating feel-
good jewellery,” says Jenna Silvander, a
former nurse and mother-of-two, who
created the business in 2015. Having dis-
covered her craft after being introduced
to clay in a creative workshop, Silvander
quickly found her own style with Fimo,
a polymer material that offers endless
versatility and a huge range of colours to
work with. “I just started experimenting
and realised that I can make anything out
of this material,” she explains.

Clients immediately took to Silvart’s
colourful designs, which incorporate
everything from foxes to the shapes of
sweets. Pastel-coloured sweet necklac-
es are among the Finnish label’s best-
known products, but keyrings have now
emerged as another bestseller. Among
them is a design inspired by the wild
blueberries that grow in the forests
around Silvander’s home base in Lohja.

“I’m hugely inspired by Finnish nature,”

Silvander says. “And in my craft, I get to

replicate the beauty of nature in a really

tangible way.”

Many of the designs certainly look

good enough to eat, but a serious fo-

cus on practicality is equally important.

Silvander, who gave up her nursing ca-

reer to set up the business, has creat-

ed a range of keyrings with first-aid

themes to cater for healthcare staff who

are limited to wearing uniforms at work.

“I want to prove that practical products

don’t need to be boring,” she says. “I’m

also really inspired by the day-to-day

demands of people’s jobs.”

Being a mother of two young boys is evi-

dent in Silvander’s knack of creating de-

signs that allow for children to express

their creativity and personality. “A lot

of kids like to accessorise their school

Playful does it

bags and rucksacks with our products,”

she says. “And coming up next, I’m

working on a hairband with attached

pseudo-earrings.”

Following double-digit sales growth this

year, Silvander is looking to hire staff

to keep up with demand. The business

premises next to her home in Lohja are

also being expanded, while the Silvart

online shop is being expanded to better

serve clients based outside of Finland.

“You never know where the next source

of inspiration will come from,” Silvander

says. “These are exciting times.”

Web: http://www.silvart.fi

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design

Silvart founder Jenna Silvander.