Erica du Plessis graduated from Stellenbosch University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts honours degree (jewellery design) and established a studio after working in the trade at the bench and as a designer.
Her time is divided between making private commissions, teaching jewellery-making classes and showcasing work at exhibitions.
Erica Strauss Designer Jewellery Studio is a small independent studio committed to jewellery as a creative industry and to contemporary jewellery as a movement to tell a story, convey a message or make a statement.
“The strive for excellence and value not only lies in exquisite gems, enamels and precious or semi-precious metals, but also in the craftsmanship of traditional goldsmithing techniques,” says Du Plessis.
The Ereike range is a collection of silver pendants, rings, bangles and earrings using floral motifs inspired by the fynbos flowers of the Cape Floristic region.
Her more experimental pieces are made by using a layering process of metal, paper and imitation gold foil with photographs of fleeting moments of landscapes, people or traditional elements like porcelain as subject matter.