My Sen 2/3 know-how

During this workshop visit, Alix talks about her fascination with the contrast between the gesture roughness and the result delicacy in her work, her tools and her materials.

Photo : © My Sen

Where do you work?

I work in a small workshop that used to be my father’s medical practice. It is located in an area that will be destroyed, I can make noise without bothering my neighbours to much! Inside, there are many things from the website ‘Le bon coin’ (especially among my tools) and from Emmaüs. I tried to create a cosy atmosphere, there is an illuminated showcase and many plants.

Photo : © My Sen

What is your favourite tool? Why?

It is difficult to choose…but I would say the hammer! There are so beautiful ones.

I like the contrast between the gesture and the tool that seem brutal and the delicate results they provide.

Photo : © My Sen

The hammer to crush the brass on a steel bench block or to shape it (a plastic mallet), around a ring sizing stick or in a doming block.

The bocfil saw to cut the metal. And the torch, to heat up the metal, to weld and to see incredible colors appear on the metal.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

There is always a first rough working phase that everybody see and a second phase, more careful and we don’t suspect how much time it takes, with all these small tools such as files, pliers, drills…

Photo : © My Sen

Which materials do you mostly use? Which ones do you prefer?

I like metal work! I mostly use brass, for pragmatic reasons. It is the less expensive metal, it is easy to find and to work, and it is known to customers. However, I also like copper work, it reveals amazing colours and it is ‘softer’!

I had an opportunity to test silver which a real pleasure to manipulate. But, I keep it for later, to offer it as an alternative to golden brass, when my activity will be balanced.

Photo : © My Sen

How do you choose raw materials?

I have some providers in Paris, regarding brass plates and wires. To select the thickness and diameters, I use basic measure. Sometimes, I enjoy buying thicker or thiner materials, to provoke new things.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

Photo : © My Sen

How does your creative process work?

I don’t draw my models, or just a scribble to imagine the general shape. I directly work on material and I refine the model. Some jewels are born in a few hours, as an obvious choice, and some others need adjustments and it can take months, a necessary period to lay things.

Then, I try to develop my collections to create an evolutionary catalog: by adding a ring to the Arum collection, by removing a necklace from the Samares collection, for example. I quickly realized that things work better when you follow your desire, without trying to comply with season changes or with fashion. At my level, it is a too rapid pace and it could quickly become shallow.

What does a usual working day look like?

I haven’t been able to organize my days or to find the good balance yet! But my recurring tasks are : to prepare orders, to check the stock and update it by making jewels – especially to prepare fairs which give a rhythm all year long – and to create even if, unfortunately, it is not what takes the most time. Then, when a new collection is out, the tasks are : to update the website, to organize a photoshoot, to prepare a catalog and send it shops, to do the accounting, to keep the brand alive through social medias… In a word, I have to be a jack of all trades and I can’t get bored!

To read the last part : My Sen – 3/3 More details about Alix…