Nadine Kam photos
Ulrike Cutter showed her BlissBiss jewelry collection at the Sheraton Waikiki on Feb. 5.
Ulrike Cutter presented a showcase of her BlissBiss collection of handmade jewelry at the Sheraton Waikiki on Feb. 5, with pieces fashioned from seashells, pearls, semi-precious gemstone and glass beads, vintage beads, and vintage buttons, many incorporating her custom clay pieces.
In between helping clientele find the pieces that spoke to them and fit into their lifestyles, Ulrike said that she always wanted to start her own business, but thinking too hard about it worked against her. As soon as she took the pressure off of herself, she said she was able to relax “and woke up the 4th of September last year and said ‘BlissBiss, this is it. I’m going to design jewelry.’ ”
"Biss" is the Austrian word for "bite," in reference to things that look good enough to eat, and in fact, some of the charms she uses are in the shapes of cakes, cupcakes, candies, pies and other confections.
Although she had never strung together a necklace, she started gathering beads and materials, and found it came naturally.
“It was like it came out of a dream, and doors opened right up. I met the right people, found the right vintage pieces, my friends started buying my jewelry and I started getting a loyal following. I am really, truly excited and feel truly blessed. It was just like an avalanche.”
The Vienna-born artist had studied lithography and the arts, but after marrying, didn’t get to make much use of her arts background. She now puts her eye for color to work in pieces that recall Fauvist and Impressionist works, as well as pieces rooted in the physical realm of basking in the beauty of a sunset, a stroll through a vineyard or a swim through the ocean.
Ulrike's handmade clay pieces are entwined with beads for one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Flora-inspired pieces have names like “Amazon Cry,” “Monet’s Garden,” “Dew Drop” and “Waltz of the Flowers.”
Ocean pieces are dubbed “Sea Foam Symphony,” “Aquarius” and “Zenith Blue.” Earrings start at about $30, while her necklaces range from about $200 to $480.
She started to work with clay to create statement pieces that would differentiate her collections from other gemstone jewelry on the market. Most beads weren’t big enough to deliver the impact she wanted.
“I wanted something more dramatic, but integrated, organic, but a statement. Clay was something free-forming that could be very detailed. Everything came together in an interesting way that carried a message.”
Ulrike said she never starts with a picture in her mind.
“The materials dictate the journey. I never know how long it’s going to take, where it’s going or how it’s going to end, and when I’m finished, I’m amazed.”
BlissBiss is so far available only through private showings, but Ulrike can be reached through www.BlissBiss.com.
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