Face of the Island: Goldsmith Rebecca Grob

Magazine
Goldsmith Rebecca Grob
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19.02.2020, Usedom Tourismus GmbH

In the seaside resort of Heringsdorf, Rebecca Grob runs a paradise for jewelry lovers. In her jewelry studio, she crafts and sells one-of-a-kind pieces. She draws inspiration from, among other things, Usedom’s coastal architecture.

One-of-a-kind pieces from the goldsmith's workshop

Ms. Grob, how did it come about that you opened your own jewelry gallery on the sunny island of Usedom in 2012?

It all started with a personal vacation and a chance encounter on the island. Thanks to that encounter, I was able to get to know the island very well and gain my first professional experience. I was given the opportunity to display my jewelry in a hotel, which really got the ball rolling and led to further connections.
My personal and professional situation in Kiel then prompted me to take a closer look at the idea of self-employment. Since I realized there were no goldsmiths on Usedom that met my standards, I took the plunge into self-employment here. Without knowing whether I’d be able to bring the idea to life and—more importantly—keep it alive.

How did your love for jewelry and your passion for goldsmithing begin?

It was pure coincidence. I wanted a creative career because I’ve always loved drawing and crafting. My first choice would have been to become a stonemason. Unfortunately, though, I wasn’t physically cut out for that. It’s really more of a typical male profession.
In the small town where I grew up, there weren’t many opportunities. And my horizons weren’t that broad—so I ended up becoming a goldsmith. It wasn’t until later that I realized there were many other craft trades that were just as exciting to me. By then, however, it was already too late. But since I’ve since become passionate about the various creative possibilities of goldsmithing, I no longer see it as a problem.

A lot of time, love, and passion goes into every single piece

What kinds of products do you make in your goldsmith’s shop? Which products do you personally enjoy making the most?

With the exception of piercing jewelry, I craft every conceivable type of jewelry. It’s not so much the piece itself as the individual steps involved in creating it that appeal to me. Special challenges are always a delight—the varying levels of difficulty in the crafting process that demand your full concentration. Once it’s done, the joy is immense. That feeling can carry you wonderfully through the entire day.

What’s a typical day like for a goldsmith?

My day is divided into three parts. First, I always set up the shop and take care of administrative tasks like emails, ordering materials, shipping products, and updating my to-do list. Then I open the shop and spend most of my time advising customers. If no one comes in, I can focus on my to-do list. It’s not until I close the shop that the focused work at the workbench actually begins. That’s when I bring the customers’ ideas to life and craft the piece of jewelry.

What is it about gold that appeals to you so much?

Gold has a magic all its own. It’s warm, soft, and yet very strong. Its pleasant, warm color flatters the fair skin typical of northern Germany. Since jewelry only truly comes into its own when paired with the person wearing it, I pay very close attention to the material.

Ring from Rebecca Grob's jewelry workshop
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Each piece is one-of-a-kind

Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

I always find my ideas in my surroundings. I’m particularly drawn to patterns, textures, and shapes in nature, art, and architecture. That’s how the “Bäderarchitektur” collections came to be. The key inspiration was architectural elements on building facades that I discovered while shopping, photographed, and later transformed into creative designs.

Who are your customers? Locals or tourists? After all, such an artistic, one-of-a-kind piece does cost a few euros. Are there tourists who fall in love with a piece of jewelry on the spot and take it home as a souvenir of the island?

My customers include both locals and tourists. During the peak season, it’s primarily visitors, but in the quieter months, locals as well. An increasing number of people feel the need to spend their money on something unique. Something that isn’t worn by another 100,000 people around the world. That, of course, plays right into my hands. These people are willing to pay a fair price for my work—sometimes quite spontaneously. But many come specifically because they’ve researched me and my services online beforehand.

How hard is it for you to part with a piece of jewelry into which you’ve poured so much time and passion?

I’ve learned to let go. It’s especially easy when the fridge is empty. Of course, there are always a few pieces that have really grown on me. In those cases, I make sure they end up in good hands. A lot of heart and soul, experience, and even more of my life goes into each of my pieces. So it can be a little painful when a special piece of jewelry finds a new home.

Necklace with a pendant from Rebecca Grob's jewelry workshop
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You weren’t born on Usedom. When and how did you come to love the island?

I visited the island for the first time in 2009 and spent my vacation there. I fell in love with it right away. The nature, the light, the sea, and the seaside resort architecture just made me feel so good. After those five days, I didn’t want to go back to Kiel. I was particularly drawn to the quiet corners of the island—the places where time seemed to stand still and there were only a few tourists.

Can you imagine moving somewhere else again?

I can’t rule it out forever, but right now I feel very at home on Usedom and see no reason to do so.

You’re passionate not only about goldsmithing but also about analog photography. What are your favorite spots on the island for taking photos?

These days I rarely get around to taking photos, but I’ve always loved the fishermen’s huts with all their details. Scenically, I’ve often been drawn to the Achterwasser. The Gnitz is also beautiful, especially in the evening light.

Thank you very much for the interview!

The interview was conducted by Mr. Koprek on behalf of SEM SEO GmbH for usedom.de on January 8, 2020.

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