Miss D’s silver-green world
Silversmith creates custom-made jewellery from "recycled" silver, extracted from used x-ray film.
While it might be considered odd to find a jeweller in a nursery, it could not be a more fitting spot for Daniela Ferreira, aka Miss D.
The “green” silversmith is passionate about creating environmentally friendly, custom-made jewellery from “recycled” silver, extracted from used x-ray film.
“I have always been a “silver” person and knew that I wanted to work with eco friendly silver,” said Daniela, who studied jewellery design and manufacture at the Durban University of Technology.
“This course was the perfect choice for me, because it is a creative trade, requires minimal tools to start with and it can be done anywhere.”
During her studies, the tanned Portuguese creative quickly learned the two golden traits for a successful jeweller.
“Patience and perseverance are a must in this trade. I had a first year lecturer who used to take a hammer and squash my jewellery if it was not good enough. It was very disheartening, but it taught me not to give up. Patience is needed for those finicky little things in jewellery design like sawing out delicate patterns in a ring. It takes forever and by the end I just want to scream.”
Looking at her ring-laden hands, it is clear that creating finger jewelry is her favourite occupation.
“I love making and wearing rings. I usually wear as many rings as I can fit on my fingers.”
Her jewellery is quirky, trendy and unique.
“Commercial jewellery is not my vibe. I am vegetarian and enjoy sharing my love for nature and farm animals in my work.”
So, you get an intricate necklace of a pig with a heart on its belly or a shell set in a ring.
“I always try the trendy styles, such as the current geometric shapes and Aztec look, but it is not really me. I like spending time on each piece, creating something different and often quite raw. My jewellery is not perfect, but I am not a perfectionist.”
Pop into Miss D’s shop at Umhlali’s Karibu Nursery, open from 9am-4pm during the week, but closed during lunch time, or give her a ring on 082 534 6999 and let her create something special in silver for you.
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