THINK OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
Full name: Annika Inez Wikstrom
Hometown: Malmö, Sweden
Where you live now: NYC / Malmö
Briefly describe what you do: Jewelry designer and founder
Current read or listen:
On a Yussef Dayes/Masego listening bend, and this fall I’ve been diving into Scandinavian classics I haven’t read, like books by Tove Ditlevsen and Selma Lagerlof.
Something new you discovered this year that you can’t live without:
Weleda Skinfood body butter, a friend gave it to me for Christmas last year, and can’t be without it now!
Is there a particular artist or creative work that has influenced your own?
Pina Bausch has probably inspired me more than anyone, both in her work and personal style. If you find yourself in Paris— whether you’re a jewelry person or not— I highly recommend seeing the jewelry collection at Musee Des Arts Decoratif. It is an incredible journey through history.
Minimalism is central to your work, yet your pieces are full of character. What does minimalism mean to you as a designer, and how do you keep it from feeling too restrained or impersonal?
Ah, this tug-of-war that is both frustrating and rewarding. Finding that balance. I think it comes down to the transferring of emotions. If there is genuine care and emotion behind a minimalist piece then you will feel it. Each choice you make with your hands when creating a piece is an extension of you. You might be able to explain and verbalize inspiration but what happens when you shape a piece is based on emotion and I think that’s where the beauty lies.
There’s something captivating about seeing a piece come to life by hand. How does working with your hands influence your relationship with each design?
It is everything. I might start with a sketch, but I have to move onto clay pretty quickly. I have to feel it. I mock up a quick clay piece just to get an idea of the outlines, and then move into carving it in wax. Sometimes a CAD drawing is necessary for complex closures, but for curves and shapes, it has to be done by hand.
Outside of designing jewelry (and running a business) any other creative pursuits or passion projects that you spend time on?
I love working with clay and I’m working on some larger-scale sculptures and small furniture pieces for my home. I’ve been involved with One Love Community Fridge for a few years, a wonderful, super local organization servicing the NYC community.
How does NeueHouse factor in to your creative process or daily routine?
As a small studio and team, I cherish our quiet space but really love feeling the creative buzz when working from Neuehouse. You never know who you might meet, what interesting conversations you might have, or what you might learn. I also love the space, it envelopes you and feels like a luxe treat!
Life hack:
I’ll sacrifice sleep to spend at least 20-30 minutes each morning with my coffee, breakfast, and a lit candle. Sometimes reading the news, sometimes a book, and sometimes nothing. It grounds me and I feel like I’ve given the day it’s due. Maybe it is just a thinly veiled cover for having a hard time getting going, but I enjoy it.
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Follow Annika Inez @annikainez
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“ I cherish our quiet space but love feeling the creative buzz when working from Neuehouse. You never know who you might meet, what conversations you might have, or what you might learn.”
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