A little about the making of Urban Raven, born in 2013, by Shiran Tal

In 2009 I was studying industrial design at HIT college and I realy didn't like it. I finally decided to quit and was looking for a new direction. I decided to go to the flea market, in Jaffa for inspiration. Generally, I have always been into design through the use of recycled materials (upcycle). I walked around the market all day, and just as I was leaving, a broken beer bottle on the sidewalk cought my eye. I had an idea to make earrings out of the bottle's glass. I had always made jewelry from things left behind. I got home and started playing around with different ideas. Other people's trash was my gold. I used glass bottles, computer chips, old coins, postage stamps and later on even leaves and rocks.
I got great feedback about my jewelry. I started selling them at art fairs and at a studio in Tel Aviv. Unfortunately, I wasn't making much money. I was working three odd jobs, but through all that I realized that my calling was my jewelry.
I have always been drawn to the urban enviornment. The streets, trash, geometric shapes. It all summons me. I decided to follow my heart, and make the jewelry that I would love. Examining different materials and giving them new life. I dug deep and learned the requirements, different cuts, what my limitations were and how to use the materials to my advantage. I decided I would teach myself. I started making jewelry inspired by the original materials, using geometric cuts and patterns, creating a new line of jewelry, that to me felt timeless.
A little about the work process:
These days, I no longer make as much upcycled jewelry. Instead, I start out designing the jewelry on a computer, in 3-D! Once I am happy with it, the design is sent to be laser cut. Once back at the studio, I use a trummel (a tiny-cement mixing-like machine, that cleans and refines the jewelry and then I coat it.
Today, my collection feels united by a certain harmony, a connection between all the parts.
Some of the values that guide me in my work:
Originality is important to me. I feel my personality comes through the jewelry. Not necessarily promoting an important message, but jewelry I can feel proud of. Credibility and reliability towards my customers, are also important factors. I love the fact that some returning customers have become my friends. My main ambition is to develop my knowledge and continue learning. I want my business to grow and thrive, whether in terms of the use of new techniques or in the development of a larger, more defined jewelry line.

At the time I got into jewelry was living with a friend at a house with a garden near the beach. When I started thinking of a name for my business, I wanted it to be relevant to what I do so I knew I had to bring the "street" into it and that's where the "Urban" came from. We had a lot of ravens in our tree outside and one day I realized that ravens often take and use items from the street like threads, shiny objects, wool and basically anything they can find to build their nest. That clicked and I knew right away that URBAN RAVEN was the perfect name for my shop.
Inspired by the idea you can make and create jewelry from assorted materials, mainly recycled materials, I decided my intent was to make a collection of jewelry that will appeal to those with unique taste. Today, as I use less upcycled materials, thay still serve as an inspiration. The vast majority of the pieces in my new collection are one of a kind, and in there lies their true uniqueness.
The attemt to make magic and add a unusual touch to each piece is a challenge that motivates me every day and brings forth these amazing results,
I love discovering new and interesting ways to work with these materials and make them look the way I want (not an easy task at times).
Each item comes with its own history and my goal is to find and fulfill its new path.
And of course, I will continue to add, initiate and discover new possibilities.

Thank you visiting my shop!
Hope to see you again
Shiran