As Atelier Nineteen, Marcon is presenting a collection of works that explores the idea of stillness and movement in time. We talked to Marcon to find out more about her background, ethos and her artisan jewellery which includes delicate and beaded pendant necklaces created with Victorian-era watch parts paired with small wings or botanical motifs and earrings made from 1940s mechanical cogs, often with subtle asymmetry. Individually hand-crafted, these delightful pieces are a eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion jewelleryas they blend nostalgia and sustainability in intricate, one-off designs.
“Each piece is made using old watch mechanisms that once measured time and now tell a different kind of story. Rather than being thrown away, these components are given a second life through jewellery,” she explains.
What was your creative background?
I grew up in a family of makers; my father worked with wood, and my mother crocheted, knitted, and sewed so creativity and working with my hands were always part of my life. After experimenting with different mediums, I found jewellery-making to be the one that suited me most. It’s personal, symbolic, and gives me the chance to turn old materials into something meaningful.
In 2020, I held my first solo exhibition in Gozo titled Tempus Fugit, which explored themes of memory, time, and transformation through my jewellery work. That same year, I was also awarded runner-up for Most Innovative Product in Semi-Precious Materials by the Commerce Department, which was at the time managed the Crafts Council. Both milestones were meaningful recognitions of my approach of wearable art.
A few years ago, I also completed a Masters in Arts and Cultural Management. I wanted to build stronger connections with other creatives and work in an environment where I could stay involved in the wider creative sector, not just through my hands-on practice but also through collaboration and cultural projects.
Why watches? Why steampunk?
Watches have always fascinated me. They’re not just tools they carry memory, craftsmanship, and a sense of wonder. I remember being captivated by the tiny, intricate parts of a broken watch as a child. It felt like looking into a secret world.
Over time I started collecting discarded watch parts not to repair them, but to work with them creatively. I wanted to highlight the beauty and detail in something that’s usually forgotten once it stops working.
The steampunk aesthetic appeals to me for its mix of history and imagination. It’s not just about a visual style: it’s about the idea of combining the past and the future in unusual ways. I’m also drawn to the elegance of Victorian design and how it balanced function with beauty.
Stories like Alice in Wonderland have always stayed with me; worlds where time shifts and things are never quite what they seem. That sense of curiosity and surrealism has definitely influenced my work.
There’s also something very satisfying about the mechanics of watches, the way they tick, the balance of their design. Before the digital age, watches felt alive.
Why do you feel that time really matters in Malta?
Malta has a close connection with time. It’s a place full of history — personal, spiritual, and cultural. We’re surrounded by objects and spaces that carry the past with them. I think that’s why people here connect with my work. There’s a shared sense of memory and resilience.
I like to think that my pieces give lost time a second life. They’re not just jewellery — they carry stories, memory, and imagination. And in a world that moves so fast, I hope they offer a quiet moment to pause and reflect.
And of course, many people here value handmade, thoughtful pieces especially when they’re locally created.
I find watch parts in local antique markets, estate clearances, or sometimes I’m gifted them by people who no longer need them.
One of my most memorable finds came from an elderly man in Rabat who handed me a box of broken watches and said, “They no longer tick, but maybe they’ll speak through you.” I still use parts from that box.
Designers Boutique Valletta — a project by the voluntary organisation EmpowerHER — recently unveiled their newly revamped creative space at the heart of Valletta, celebrating local female-led brands and community spirit. The shop can be found at 14/15 Old Theatre Street, Valletta.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this community of inspiring women creatives,” says Marcon Borg Caruana, founder of Atelier Nineteen. “This event is not just a celebration of craftsmanship, but a testament to the growing appreciation for sustainable, locally made art in Malta. I look forward to sharing my work and connecting with visitors who value originality and conscious design.”
Discover more via www.ateliernineteen.com, Instagram and Facebook.