Part II: Turning Vision into Reality

With the 3D models complete by May 2024, I knew it was time to bring the digital designs into physical form. That’s where Materialize in Louvain, Belgium, came in. They’re world-renowned for their precision in 3D printing, especially with complex designs, and I’ve worked with them before on other projects. I trusted them to print the brass master pieces, which would serve as the foundation for the jewelry. Their advanced technology allowed us to capture every intricate detail of the figures, down to the finest curves and textures.

The process wasn’t immediate. It took time for the designs to be printed, but the results were stunning. When the brass pieces were finally in my hands, I could see that Materialize had done an exceptional job. These weren’t just prototypes—they were tangible representations of the mythological figures I had envisioned months earlier. The next step was sending these brass masters to Portugal, where Mateus Avarenga, the jewelry designer I partnered with, would refine them further.

The work with Materialize was a pivotal part of this journey. Their expertise and state-of-the-art technology ensured that the figures remained true to the intricate designs created during the 3D modeling phase. Every detail was captured, from the expressions on the figures’ faces to the symbolic patterns woven into their forms. This precision set the foundation for the high-quality jewelry we were about to produce.

Now, in September 2024, I’m holding both the digital and physical pieces in my hands. We’re moving forward with production, and Anton in Bali is preparing the silver casts based on these master pieces. The pieces are coming together beautifully, but there are still many steps left before we’re ready to launch. More to follow in Part III...