By heating a mixture of raw materials, Silvia knows how to transform molten glass into carefully crafted jewellery. Inspired by her great aunt’s craft and the rural landscapes of Galicia, Spain. She decided to start her own brand Toda Frágil.
Ever since she was little, Silvia has been drawn to different forms of creative expression. “Growing up in a rural area with long, rainy winters and being an only child meant that I had to find ways to express myself artistically (apart from being incredibly mischievous). I would draw anything that moved and make sculptures out of things that were about to be thrown away at home. My father always let me use his tools, which gave me the freedom to experiment without limits. One of my great-aunts was a seamstress. She used to sew most of my clothes, and thanks to her, I developed a love for fashion and high-quality finishes.”
But the idea of mastering the craft of glass came later. After studying graphic design and exploring a wide range of creative fields, techniques, and materials, Silvia started her first brand of crochet necklaces made from recycled fabrics. She never thought she would work in fashion or become a ‘traditional’ artist. “I found my way into the world of jewellery because I’ve always been fascinated by pieces that stand the test of time (even if some of mine are made of glass, haha). I spent the last ten years working in advertising, an industry that’s both fast-paced and fleeting, until I realised I was losing my passion. I needed to slow down and free my mind with a new project”.
So she started Toda Frágil, for which she now mainly creates jewellery pieces, but that is certainly not all she wants to focus on. As she develops her knowledge and creative skills, she’s exploring new materials and techniques to expand her collection. Check out her Instagram for a glimpse of how she is branching out into wine glasses that double as sculptures for the home.
Her creative process for Toda Frágil varies. Sometimes she takes inspiration from her surroundings, such as shapes, trends and textures, from which she creates a mood board to define a design direction. Other times she finds unique glass, colours or textures from suppliers and starts experimenting.
“I currently work from my home in Barcelona, handling all the conceptual aspects and social media management, but I produce my pieces in a co-working studio where I share space with other artists. It’s important to remember that creatives are not just inventors – we need to understand the materials available and draw from references to create something new. There’s also a collaborative aspect to my work; bouncing ideas back and forth with others often leads to new concepts and perspectives”.
On the future of Toda Frágil, Silvia says: “Like anyone with a vision, I would like Toda Frágil to become a reference in the industry. My aim is to grow while remaining true to myself”.
While she works on launching her own website, her jewellery pieces are currently made to order and sold through her DM’s on Instagram. They’re also available in selected shops in Barcelona, with more locations to come.
Photography by: Silvia, Toda Frágil