Ripple Life
What’s your name and where are you from/based?
Hi, My name is Heejin Kim. I am based in Seoul, South Korea.
Can you describe in a few words what you do?
I design and craft silver jewelry and handcrafted metal objects under the name “Ripple Life”. Inspired by nature and the quiet beauty of everyday life, my works reflect a gentle, organic aesthetic. With nearly a decade of experience, I not only create but also share this art by teaching metalwork through hands-on classes in my studio.
Your brand name, “Ripple Life,” is so calming. What kind of life do you imagine when you think of a ripple?
Thank you, that means a lot.
“Ripple Life” was born from a desire to live a life that brings gentle resonance to the heart, like the calm waves of the sea.
I want to recognize and cherish the small joys found in everyday moments, and fill my life with them.
Reading under the sunlight, listening to music at my favorite café with coffee or wine in hand, feeling the changing seasons while taking a walk, or being immersed in my creative work — these are what I call Ripple Moments—those quiet, personal experiences that ripple through your life with meaning.
How do your surroundings in Seoul influence your practice?
My main working areas are Gongneung-dong, where my studio is located, and Jongno, which is a central hub for the jewelry industry in Seoul.
Gongneung-dong is where I’ve lived since I was young, so it feels very familiar and comforting to me.
That sense of stability has a big impact on my creative process — it helps me stay grounded and focused.
I usually go to Jongno to handle some tasks and spend time in my favorite spots. One of them is Changgyeonggung.
Walking through its grounds brings a quiet sense of calm, and I feel surrounded by peaceful, refreshing energy.
That atmosphere grounds me and inspires my work. I hope that same feeling is reflected in what I create.
Another place I love is a café in Jongno called “Passing Through”.
At first, I visited just to rest, but I was drawn to its cozy and distinctive atmosphere, filled with handmade crafts.
Over time, I became close to the owner, and now we’re friends who even travel together.
She paints as a hobby, and I create metal frames — we’ve started collaborating, and we hope to hold an exhibition one day.
Through her, I came to connect with a café called “Susu Coffee Brewing”, where I held my very first pop-up store last year.
As I followed where my heart led me, it feels like all these experiences unfolded naturally, one after another..Gongneung and Jongno —
I find comfort in repeating my daily routines in these familiar neighborhoods and enjoy discovering small, unexpected moments within them.
Do you find that you learn new things about your own process through your students?
I always try to encourage my students to bring their own individuality into their work.
As a result, they sometimes come up with forms or expressions I haven’t tried myself.
In order to help them realize their ideas, I reflect on my own process and explore new approaches together with them.
Through this, I often discover better methods and learn more about my own practice.
Do you listen to music while you work?
Yes, I really love listening to music while I work.
Depending on my mood, I enjoy a wide range of genres — from piano pieces and band music to Kendrick Lamar. You could say I have very eclectic taste. Among them, my all-time favorite musician is Ryuichi Sakamoto. A few years ago, I read his book and found myself deeply drawn into his world.I was fascinated to learn that he wasn’t just a pianist, but also explored electronic music, rapped, and performed as part of the band YMO.
His fearless experimentation and refusal to be boxed into a single genre were so refreshing and inspiring to me. What touched me the most was his perspective of recognizing all sound as music.
He didn’t tune his piano on purpose, and embraced accidental sounds from nature and everyday life as part of his compositions.
That philosophy has had a profound influence on the way I approach my own work. When I work with metal, I try to focus less on perfection, and more on the natural resonance of the material, or the spontaneity of a moment.
His music isn’t just background for me — it’s a deep well of artistic inspiration that continues to shape how I think and create.
Is there a material, technique, or tool you’re curious to try but haven’t explored yet?
At the moment, there’s nothing specific I’m actively pursuing in terms of new techniques or tools. Instead, I’ve spent the past two years learning about sculpture setting, and now I want to integrate what I’ve learned into my work in my own style. Rather than seeking out new challenges, I’m currently focused on refining and applying the skills I’ve developed over time. Of course, I remain open to new inspiration that can arise from conversations, experiences, or even mistakes during the creative process.
What kind of objects do you personally hold on to?
I don’t have just one or two specific objects that I treasure.
Over time, I’ve started to surround myself only with things I truly want to keep for a long time —and because of that, I find myself feeling a deep affection for almost everything I own.
This way of thinking naturally influences my work as well. When I design, I always aim to create objects that people won’t get tired of — things they’ll want to keep by their side for years.
Recently, I had to throw away a pair of sneakers I really loved because they were too worn out,
and I was more upset about it than I expected.
But in that moment, I felt genuinely grateful that the metal objects I make can stay with someone for a long, long time.
Were you ever looking for a box that didn’t exist, so you made it yourself?
When I come across an interesting shape, I often feel the urge to recreate it in metal.
I once found a tiny matchbox at a vintage shop — it was so charming that I kept thinking I should try making something like it someday.
That idea finally came to life when I collaborated with a friend who runs a graphic design studio called “Aggressive Graphic Association”.
She designed the initials to be engraved on the box, and I brought it to life in metal.
The box was made from aluminum and assembled using brass rivet techniques.
Each initial was carefully hand-stamped with a hammer — it may look simple, but it took several rounds of practice to get it just right.
It started as a fun personal project between friends, but the fact that so many people showed interest made it all the more meaningful for both of us.
Your work often carries an element of engineering. small bolts, screws, and joints that feel like architectural details. Do you see your pieces as miniature constructions?
I don’t just use those elements for their aesthetic —I genuinely enjoy working with small components in a structural way.
Adding multiple steps and layers makes the whole process more engaging for me and I think it brings out the craft-based quality that reflects my identity as a maker.
I also love the idea that, over time, the joints and layers will age naturally and develop character. That slow transformation is something I look forward to — it adds depth and history to each piece.
Do you find that teaching slows you down? Or reconnects you to the joy of making?
When I’m working, I usually spend most of my time alone.
Teaching allows me to meet people from different backgrounds and share ideas and tastes, and I find that these exchanges have a positive impact on me as well.
I’ve made some great connections through my classes — some have even become close friends.
Sometimes, those connections naturally lead to collaborations.
For example, I worked with a friend who runs a dessert brand called nowk.mu to create dessert forks, and the friend I made the metal box with originally came to me as a student.
In that way, teaching doesn’t slow me down — it brings new energy into my practice and helps me reconnect with the joy of making through others.
Where can people find you?
You can find me at my studio in Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, or visit my website at www.ripplelife.kr and follow me on Instagram @ripplelife_place. Some of my framed works and pieces are also on display at the café Passing Through (@passingthrough_cafe).
