What you’ll learn in this episode: The process Atelier Zobel uses to fuse different metals together in innovative and beautiful ways How Peter has maintained Michael Zobel’s legacy while modernizing and refining the Atelier’s designs Why Peter is attracted to imperfect gems, and how he designs jewelry that highlights the beauty of imperfection Why passion and a willingness to push boundaries are necessary for aspiring jewelry designers About Peter Schmid Peter Schmid owns Atelier Zobel in Konstanz, Germany. Original owner Michael Zobel was a master craftsman who honed his skills and talent to create pieces that are arresting in their visual impact and remarkable in their goldsmithing and soldering technique. He combined metals in new, sensual, even erotic ways. The effect was electrifying. Working at his side was protégé Peter Schmid.  Like Zobel before him, Peter is both artist and craftsman, and he brings that special blend to every piece he creates. His chief inspiration is character: the character of place, the character of material, even the character of intent. Mountains and rivers inspire him. Precious stones inspire him. And the idea of what he is making inspires him, whether it’s a ring or a brooch or a bracelet, or one that transforms into another. For Peter, every piece is about the interaction of visual elements with invisible inspiration. His work is revered worldwide for its attention to detail, its fusion of gold and silver, his gemstone settings, and the fluid movement all his pieces seem to share. Additional Resources: Website Instagram Photos: Jewelry from Peter Schmid:   Transcript: Peter Schmid might have become a corporate manager if he never walked past the window of Atelier Zobel in Konstanz, Germany. Peter was instantly mesmerized by the jewelry on display, and he made it his goal to leave business school and become an apprentice for Michael Zobel. After a few years of jewelry design school, that dream came true, and today Peter is the head of Atelier Zobel. He joined the Jewelry Journey Podcast to share what advice he would give young jewelry designers who want to follow his path, why he loves using stones with imperfections, and how he has refined Atelier Zobel’s designs and process. Read the episode transcript below. Sharon: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Jewelry Journey Podcast. Today, my guest is Peter Schmid, head of the well-known firm Atelier Zobel in Konstanz, Germany. Although he didn’t set out to become a metalsmith and jewelry designer, his work is shown all over the world. Today we’ll hear all about his jewelry journey. Peter, welcome to the program. Peter: Thank you. I’m glad to be here. Sharon: Glad to have you. Tell us about your jewelry journey. They’re all interesting, but this sounds like a very interesting one. Peter: Yeah, I don’t know. When I started, I was basically thinking about what I was going to be in my professional career. I was thinking, “Well, I’ll be an accountant or manager of something,” so I went to school. After that, I found out it’s not actually exactly what I wanted to be, because I was always painting and interested in sculpting things and making things, but I never knew what to make; I just wanted to make something. So, a friend of my dad was like, “Well, why don’t you become a goldsmith?” and I was like, “I don’t know.” I looked at the jewelry of my mom and it didn’t appeal so much. It’s not what I wanted to do, the jewelry she had.  Then another friend was telling me about Konstanz, the town I’m now in, that there are so many goldsmiths here. It’s a big tradition in Germany and in Konstanz especially. Then, I walked up to the window of Michael Zobel—this was in 1995—and I saw the window. It was amazing, with crazy decoration and big pieces in there. This is how jewelry should look like. It’s an expression. It’s an artful piece. It’s a piece you wear for yourself and not for anybody else. It’s a personal thing, and I think that got me more into this e