Techniques in Focus: Brooch Back Design with Daniela Malev, Mon 19 January 2026, 6-7pm, Pay what you can: £7 or £10, Online (UK)
What are the historical roots of the brooch? What elements are essential to the design and function of a pin or brooch? How do contemporary makers utilise the form of the brooch as an object of artistic expression?
Join jeweller, teacher, researcher and author of the book To The Point – Pin Mechanisms and Brooch Back Design, Daniela Malev, in an online talk exploring the history and technological development of the brooch.
Discover the roots and functionality of the brooch from the Bronze Age fibula to medieval breast pins, baroque Sévigné brooches and political badges of the 1960s, to today’s contemporary art jewellery. Explore how the often-overlooked ‘backside’ and pin mechanism are essential elements of brooch design through examples of contemporary works, with a focus on their pin mechanisms both technically and aesthetically.
Book your place on this talk to find out more and register your interest for the upcoming short course Brooch Back Design with Daniela Malev at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Image credit: Sara Malm, Lolly, 2014, wood, paint, leather, steel wire. Courtesy Daniela Malev.
Do you record or broadcast your talks?
We run our events in person at the Goldsmiths’ Centre and online, so that as many of our community as possible can exchange ideas, learn from industry experts, and form valuable connections across the UK. We do not record these events, or broadcast them, to encourage the open sharing of ideas and experiences and preserve confidentiality. Popular topics will be repeated over time.
What are Techniques in Focus talks?
Techniques in Focus talks are a series of events that delve into specific jewellery-making techniques, offering insights into their history, application, and relevance in contemporary practice. These Goldsmiths’ Centre talks are designed for jewellers, silversmiths, and enthusiasts keen on deepening their technical knowledge and appreciation of the craft.
Do you have access requirements?
We are committed to making our training programmes and events as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any access requirements, please inform us as early as possible and we will do our utmost to so we can make the reasonable adjustments. While we will do our best to accommodate your needs, advance notice is essential to ensure we can provide appropriate support.
To discuss your requirements when booking tickets for our Goldsmiths’ Centre training programmes, please contact us at boxoffice@goldsmiths-centre.org
Who is the speaker?
Daniela Malev was trained as a classical goldsmith and holds a Master Craftsman’s Certificate. She also studied at the University of Applied Sciences Trier/Idar-Oberstein, Germany where she earned her BA and MFA in Gemstone and Jewellery Design.
One of Daniela’s special fields of interest are brooch backs and pin mechanisms and their integration into the design of the whole brooch. She is invited internationally to give workshops on this subject and her book To the Point – Pin Mechanisms and brooch Back Design has been extremely well-received by contemporary jewellers worldwide.
Ticket options
What are the historical roots of the brooch? What elements are essential to the design and function of a pin or brooch? How do contemporary makers utilise the form of the brooch as an object of artistic expression?
Join jeweller, teacher, researcher and author of the book To The Point – Pin Mechanisms and Brooch Back Design, Daniela Malev, in an online talk exploring the history and technological development of the brooch.
Discover the roots and functionality of the brooch from the Bronze Age fibula to medieval breast pins, baroque Sévigné brooches and political badges of the 1960s, to today’s contemporary art jewellery. Explore how the often-overlooked ‘backside’ and pin mechanism are essential elements of brooch design through examples of contemporary works, with a focus on their pin mechanisms both technically and aesthetically.
Book your place on this talk to find out more and register your interest for the upcoming short course Brooch Back Design with Daniela Malev at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Image credit: Sara Malm, Lolly, 2014, wood, paint, leather, steel wire. Courtesy Daniela Malev.
Do you record or broadcast your talks?
We run our events in person at the Goldsmiths’ Centre and online, so that as many of our community as possible can exchange ideas, learn from industry experts, and form valuable connections across the UK. We do not record these events, or broadcast them, to encourage the open sharing of ideas and experiences and preserve confidentiality. Popular topics will be repeated over time.
What are Techniques in Focus talks?
Techniques in Focus talks are a series of events that delve into specific jewellery-making techniques, offering insights into their history, application, and relevance in contemporary practice. These Goldsmiths’ Centre talks are designed for jewellers, silversmiths, and enthusiasts keen on deepening their technical knowledge and appreciation of the craft.
Do you have access requirements?
We are committed to making our training programmes and events as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any access requirements, please inform us as early as possible and we will do our utmost to so we can make the reasonable adjustments. While we will do our best to accommodate your needs, advance notice is essential to ensure we can provide appropriate support.
To discuss your requirements when booking tickets for our Goldsmiths’ Centre training programmes, please contact us at boxoffice@goldsmiths-centre.org
Who is the speaker?
Daniela Malev was trained as a classical goldsmith and holds a Master Craftsman’s Certificate. She also studied at the University of Applied Sciences Trier/Idar-Oberstein, Germany where she earned her BA and MFA in Gemstone and Jewellery Design.
One of Daniela’s special fields of interest are brooch backs and pin mechanisms and their integration into the design of the whole brooch. She is invited internationally to give workshops on this subject and her book To the Point – Pin Mechanisms and brooch Back Design has been extremely well-received by contemporary jewellers worldwide.
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