This week, in light of Mother’s Day coming up in the US, we are highlighting a brother/sister duo who are definitely making mom proud. Born in Paris, Jean-Baptiste and Jessica are now exploring different parts of the world, but have one common place to put their creative minds together. Node is an awesome combo of Jessica’s imagination with Jean-Baptiste’s 3D modeling skills. Uniting their creative minds, there’s no sibling rivalry here, and they’ve come up with some great pieces.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?

We are a brother and sister team, John Baptist 23 and I, Jessica, 20. We are spread all around the world: although born and raised in Paris, John Baptist moved to New York to complete an Industrial Engineering Masters at NYU and I am currently at Manchester Business School in my final year studying Economics and Business. Our collaboration works perfectly: I have the idea and create the first design of our jewels and JB adds one more dimension to the work and models it from 2D to 3D.

What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?

My interest in fashion and jewellery led me to create handmade jewellery using Swarovski pearls from a young age. I’ve always had high ambitions to create more unique and intricate designs, however I have been unable to develop and create these designs due to the lack of affordable manufacturing processes. I am inspired by the little details from my daily life which influence the direction we want to take NODE.

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?

John Baptist is now working in the 3D printing industry and knows a lot about the market.  Shapeways is the simplest and best way to print whatever we want in any material and open a shop! It was obvious for us to use Shapeways!

How did you learn how to design in 3D?

John Baptist graduated from one of the best Industrial and Mechanical Engineering schools in France. He always held a strong interest on this state-of-the-art technology and applying what he learned to build aerospace models on the modeling of smaller but more precise jewels. Thanks to his patience and involvement, we are now able to model some of my designs and construct my dreams!

How do you promote your work?

I am mainly promoting my brand NODE through social networks and fashion blogs such as Beat à l’Air. I am also sponsoring a new French radio station. Our family and friends have been of a great support and really contributed on spreading the word. 

Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you?

Eeppium has been a great inspiration to us with the crystal ring. With such a new technology, it is amazing to see new products that looks like having a great and very long history behind it. In Node we believe that simple things are of the upmost of the time telling more things and stories than complex ones.

If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?

Many of my drawings include more than one material, as 3D printers use only one material I cannot blend any together. Without this limitation, I would then play with the infinite combination of materials using different colours and textures on one single item.

For both you and your sister: What’s your favourite childhood story to tell about each other?

The story that always comes to our mind when it comes to our childhood is when I was one year old. In spite of our very young age, this moment of our life is weirdly clear enough to remember. I used to be a young adventurer, unstoppable. One day, I was walking around our grandma’s house in my youpala when JB had the great idea to let the door of the stairs open. In my great excitement to discover what was going on down there, I rolled straight into the stairs and 3 seconds later I was a Smurf and JB was as pale as a ghost: great combination of colours in which I will definitely work on in the future. This was our first real contact with 3 Dimensions together but it didn’t stop us and doesn’t seem to be the last…

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THIS SHOP:

  • Amazing collaboration story
  • Great photography – clear photos AND clear theme throughout the whole shop
  • Photos of different materials printed
  • Clear branding – logo and everything! 
  • Similar aesthetic – you can tell all pieces are from one brand.

Thank you for a wonderful interview, Jean-Baptiste and Jessica! Check out their full shop here. As always, don’t forget to show support via Facebook and Twitter. They also have a lovely Etsy shop with even more amazing jewels to drool over. To be featured, please feel free to email aimee @ shapeways.com.