​Back in 2003, POLONA POTOČNIK needed a special piece of jewellery to complement the dress she designed for her senior prom night. She searched far and wide, but couldn't find anything completely to her taste. Since her father is a soldering specialist, she found a stainless steel wire in his studio and made herself a beautiful sculptural necklace coupled with a pair of hoop earrings – simple yet dazzling. The prom was a success and everyone kept asking where she got the pieces. And the rest is history.  

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​​​​​​​​​​​​Polona has since gained expertise in jewellery design working with masters of their craft, attending masterclasses in contemporary jewellery first in Slovenia while currently studying the art of goldsmithing with jewellers in Spain.   

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Starting in her native Slovenia, Polona learnt her craft from the most prominent Slovenian contemporary jewellery designers, such as Dalija Sega and Milica Bubanja, while creating boutique collections both for exhibitions and fashion shows in collaboration with fashion designers at D.tajl Concept Store where she was a regular guest artist. 

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Inspired by vibrant art markets of Ljubljana, Berlin and other European cities where she met incredibly talented and creative people, she set up her own Kunstmarket and Kunstn'ca coworking hub to connect designers from remote regions of Slovenia and create a unique opportunity for the locals to see and buy artworks, supporting the local artists.

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She loves getting to know her clients and their stories so that she can capture their essence in her pieces and create an unforgettable experience, whether you are purchasing wedding rings or a birthday present. Her warm, personal approach and pure passion for what she does has had her gain an amazing clientele that keeps coming back for more. 

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From collections to exclusive custom designs, every single piece she handcrafts is unique, each of them tells a story, evokes emotions and resonates with the one it is meant to touch. Working with gold and silver in her favourite lost-wax casting technique and exploring all the textures it provides is so captivating that she can't help but call it her drug. It enables her to express her love of painting, sculpturing and goldsmithing, all at the same time.

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In addition to coloured gemstones and diamonds, each jewellery piece can be elaborated by POLONA POTOČNIK original technique of applying eye makeup to the canvas of fine jewellery. Yes, you've heard that right! In search of the perfect alternative to gemstones that would provide the same texture and glow, Polona tried out powder eyeshadows she had found scattered in her bathroom, and it turns out they work magic. Either it is old, used eyeshadows, which should no longer be applied to the eyelids because they have passed the expiry date, or new when she finds a particular shade insanely beautiful, fine jewellery with a touch of make-up has become her signature style, a make-up revolution honouring womanhood and self-expression, enhancing your natural beauty with the only make-up you will ever need — POLONA POTOČNIK JEWELLERY SALON.

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Polona has always found the most inspiration while travelling to concrete and real jungles, in the midst of a buzzing metropolis or by a campfire deep in the woods. She spent a few months in Madrid, which is still one of her top destinations, before settling down in her atelier on the island of Tenerife where she saw a bright future unfolding for her: A contemporary jewellery designer with her own jewellery salon down by the sea.