About Neptune, or better: the story behind Neptune's jewels, should be reported here. Welcome to a tale of the beginnings of Neptune's treasury!
The artist produces together with his wife Jen Martin Cloud in the studio behind the 10th degree of longitude Tin art. Belt clasps, necklaces and rings are made in Quarnbek just as lovingly as bottle stoppers and knobs. All of this maritime, charming and unique, because ANKER, NIXEN, KRAKEN, MÖWEN & MOIN's were interpreted in a modern way by Jen and Martin for Neptunsschmide. So you think you can hear the sound of the sea and the fog horns of the ocean liners even in the middle of the urban jungle. The very first event – the Santa Pauli Christmas market on the Reeperbahn – made Neptune jewels known in Hamburg and the surrounding area like the proverbial sore thumb. But it was a long way from the first idea to the birth of Neptune Jewels. How did that happen?
A well-established team
An old converted barn in Stampe near Kiel serves as a studio for the creative couple. Together they develop their ideas for new pieces. They sketch, discuss and literally polish new drafts until something is approved. It is then crafted right next door in the workshop and added to Neptune's treasury until it is prepared for shipment. Jen and Martin are a well-rehearsed team with an ideal division of labor.
jen cloud
In addition to participating in the creative process, Jen coordinates sales and customer communication. In addition, she organizes the Showroom and takes care of customers and visitors. She advises you with expertise and a great sense for details in the fulfillment of even unusual jewelry wishes. In addition, she controls the production of Neptune jewelry. Her many years of experience as manager of an event agency ensure the necessary foresight.
Her training as a shoemaker and her skills in refurbishing old pieces of furniture help her with “hands-on” things, such as processing the belt straps.
Martin Cloud
Martin comes from a family of artists (sculptor and goldsmith). In the 1990s he studied at the Muthesius Kunsthochschule in Kiel in the sculpture class of Jan Koblasa.
Since completing his studies, he has primarily worked on larger-than-life human figures in his sculptural work. These are mostly, worked naturalistically, in surreal situations and relationships to each other. One of his most famous works can be seen in Westerland on Sylt: "Travelling Giants in the Wind". Luminous green and four meters high, these greet arriving travelers on the station forecourt and have become an integral part of the cityscape.
From art to craftsmanship - with passion
"The handling of different materials as well as drawing and design have always been a matter of course since my childhood," reports Martin. "I've also always had a passion for collecting belt buckles. Ten years ago, for a friend's birthday, I designed the first belt buckle. I found working on this small hip sculpture very satisfying. Here I was able to combine my passion for sculpture with my passion for collecting – that’s how it all started.”
The search for the perfect material
"When I was looking for the right material, I initially experimented with different materials," Martin continues. "Plastic was e.g. B. too light and sensitive. Luckily, a memory helped me quickly. I had given a sculpting seminar at art school. Together with the students, we cast a portrait that had previously been modeled in pewter in pewter... that's how I found the right material."
Pewter - A durable alloy with a noble sheen
Why tin? Tin is easy to work with and – with the right alloy – durable and strong. In addition, thanks to the approval for contact with food, our alloy is ideal for the production of jewelry. In addition, the processing of tin has a 2000-year-old tradition. It was considered "poor man's silver". At the same time it was definitely a status symbol. It was processed into crockery and adorned the tables of established craftsmen and the bourgeoisie.
"At Neptunsschmeide we process a high-quality jewelry alloy with a silver content of < 1% that is approved for contact with food. This is a solid material that can be touched up and polished again and again if desired,” says Martin. "But the matt shimmer that develops after a while also has something to offer."
We think: exclusivity does not need precious metal
Despite their beauty, expensive precious metals and jewels are not in Neptune's focus. Jen explains about Neptune's design philosophy: “At Neptune Jewels we prefer to focus on the valuable properties of artistic design. Because designing a piece from the first draft to the finished unique piece under one roof gives us unimagined possibilities and all the necessary freedom. With the production in our own studio, the quality of the craftsmanship and the fulfillment of our artistic demands for a unique design are only in our hands.”
Martin adds: “The sculptural molding techniques we have learned over the years were very useful in production. Wax models are created on the basis of a drawing, which are then molded, cast, deburred, ground and polished. This treatment and processing gives each piece its own character. We create unique pieces here in the best sense of the word.” Jen and Martin Wolke. Really a well-rehearsed team.
From design to piece of jewellery
making a belt
Many work steps are necessary to produce our motif belt straps. Whether it's the careful selection of the leather, the coloring or the embossing of the motifs - we work for you with care and attention to detail. Here we have put together a few steps for you. Welcome to the studio!
