Lefteris Skarpetis

Lefteris Skarpetis

I was born in the city of Rhodes, where I currently live. My father is a silversmith and therefore I spent most of my childhood in a workshop. That’s how I learned the craft, almost without me realizing it. The workshop was for me a part of my game.

In addition to our family business, I worked for a short period of time at the jewelry production factory <<Orosimo>>. In 1998 I’ve set up my own workspace on Sofocleous 8 Street in the Old Medieval Town, where I’m located so far. Since 1996 I have fully taken over the family business.

I studied at the silversmithing school of EPAL Rhodes for three years and I continue to attend various seminars around art and jewelry as I believe that knowledge never stops.

The interaction from a young age with several of the old craftsmen who, sometimes with advices or suggestions, sometimes with collaborations and discussions, conveyed to me knowledge, techniques, mentalities and an ambience from the past,all of these played a great role in my education.

So, apart from repairs, custom constructions and constructions of my own jewelry, most of the time unique pieces and entirely handmade in gold and silver, I like to experiment,trying to discover new materials, techniques, forms,textures, that often go beyond the applied art of silversmithing itself.

An art that has its roots in the depths of history, especially in Greece, and will not be lost as the needs in the use of jewelry may change, but new data emerge and give a new impetus. I hope to contribute positively in this regard.

Ι want my jewelry to be beautified by the people wearing them

Manolis Skarpetis

He was born in 1946, in the village of Apolakkia in Rhodes. At the age of 12 he goes to the city with his brother to study at the technical schools of “Nireas” in the afternoon class of silversmithing, with their teachers: Vasilara D., Louizidi M. and others, for  three years. At the same time, in the mornings, he works as an apprentice in the workshop of the Panagos brothers in the old town of Rhodes among  4-5 other people.

Later on he goes to the workshop of the Skiathitis brothers where over time he becomes a craftsman. These workshops at that time were making the traditional Rhodian jewelry. Αt the same time he undertakes other jobs on a bench he has at home, further developing his technical skills.

In 1974 he opens his first workshop at 49 Pythagoras Street in the old town and later on, in collaboration with Papoutsis Ch. And Marinakis M., they created the company “Mary queen”, through which they covered the needs of the stores in orders and repairs and of course creating Rhodian jewelry. A few years later, he’s by himself with his assistant Panoglou D. In 1982 he moves to Sophocleous Street where he maintains a retail store together with his laboratory.

Gradually, with the help of his wife, Skarpetis Kyriakis, but also of his 2 sons later, Lefteris and Filippos, the business becomes family-owned, opening a branch on the same street. In 2006 he retires  and Lefteris officially takes over the business.

Ηοwever  he continues to create jewelry as his passion and love for art remain alive.