"To recognize one single shape inside an already created world sounds simple but never easy"

Education and Experience

• 1988-1991 Jewelry School in Sweden, Dackeskolan in Mjolby
• 1992 Journeyman Diploma
• 1996 Goldsmith Master Degree
• 1997 Degree in Design at College of Arts in Linkoping
• 2001 Set up my own business Formia Design in Stockholm, Sweden
• 2004 Received Best New Designer of the Year award at Stockholm Jewelry Show
• 2004 Established Formia Design LLC in Virginia, USA 

Swedish born, goldsmith, designer, and mother of two.

As a designer and certified goldsmith, I design and fabricate “one of a  kind” jewelry by hand in gold, silver and platinum. I also repair, redesign, and reconstruct pieces from clients antique and hierloom jewels.

My business has recently been recognized because of a new idea that I came up with when trying to figure out what to give as a gift to our daughter’s wonderful preschool teacher. Jewelry is always a wonderful option, but I wanted my daughter to be a part of it too!

I now let your children be the designers by using their own unique drawing in the jewelry creation process.  I reconstruct the drawings into jewelry that lives on much longer than the paper on the refrigerator. The drawings can be made with silver or gold as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and charms or as key chain in durable titanium.

Jewelry is something I have been doing since I finished 3 years of jewelry school in Sweden in 1991. I received the journeyman diploma followed by a Master Degree in 1995. I then became Sweden’s youngest woman with a Master's Degree in jewelry at that time. There after followed years of employment as studio manager of a store in the heart of Stockholm and additional educations in economics, computer and design.

I started my own business, Formia Design, in Stockholm, Sweden in 2001, just weeks before I went to a friend’s wedding in New York.  There I ended up meeting my future husband, he himself born in the Netherlands. After a few years of traveling back and forth, in 2003, we decided to get married and for me to move to Charlottesville. American immigration didn't agree with this since my husband was not yet an American citizen. In order to get me here, he had to be naturalized first. That took 2 years!

During that time I focused on work. I kept designing and making jewelry while also working part time as a jewelry store manager. I had jewelry exhibits and received an award for The Best New Designer of the Year at the 2004 Stockholm Jewelry Show.

Today creating and designing is a huge part of my life. As any mother, I am still working on getting my work and business in perfect harmony with raising 2 small children. Everyday I am learning new things in my second language and new ways of how to run my business. I am excited to see what the future has in store for Formia Design in the USA, and with the help of the Internet, all around the world!

Yours Sincerely,

Mia van Beek