Profile | Jewellery designer Michiel Bosman of aēr

I’ve long admired the work of Netherlands-based Michiel Bosman, whose beautiful house I’ve featured both here on this blog and in my first book, The Soft Minimalist Home. An interiors photographer and trained art therapist, he also has a longstanding passion for jewellery design and last year turned this into a business with the launch of his own brand, aēr.

Named after an Ancient Greek word that can mean ‘atmosphere’, ‘air’ or ‘mist’, aēr encompasses fine, hand-crafted pieces in silver and gold. All have a poetic quality to them, evoking the natural world, the emotions it stirs and the mysteries it holds. Their flowing, organic shapes and quiet, timeless beauty instantly appealed to me, and Michiel’s artistry and talent are clear in every one.

The first two collections from aēr focused on rings, with ‘Faces’ taking its inspiration from the spirit of nature and ‘Arbos’ from weeping willow trees. The third, ‘Harvest’ was unveiled yesterday and is perhaps my favourite yet, celebrating the joy and beauty of summer. To mark its release, I chatted to Michiel about the story behind it and the brand, what sparked his love of jewellery, his design process, and the highs and lows of running a creative business.

Hi Michiel! Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background?

“For the past several years I’ve worked as a self-taught interior photographer, capturing quiet beauty through composition, light and stillness. 

“I’ve always felt a strong pull towards the world of interiors, but when I was younger I didn’t yet understand how I would find my place within it. That path began to reveal itself when I discovered art therapy, a discipline that allowed me to combine creativity with supporting others. During my studies I took a photography course, which reignited something instinctive in me. I began experimenting at home, slowly sharing my work on Instagram, and from there photography became an integral part of my life.

“My background in art therapy shaped the way I view art – not just as something aesthetic, but as something deeply emotional and essential. It taught me to look beyond the surface and consider what something feels like. From that perspective, I felt a growing desire to explore new forms of expression alongside photography, which ultimately led to the creation of aēr: a space where artistic intuition meets a lifelong fascination with jewellery and craftsmanship.”

Have you always been creative?

“Creativity has been a constant in my life. As a child and young adult, I spent hours drawing, sewing and painting. I was always exploring something new with my hands – it felt very natural to me.

“Both my grandparents were incredibly creative in their own ways. My grandfather had a remarkable ability to draw horses with such life and movement that they almost felt real. He was also a photographer. My grandmother was always making and imagining. Looking back, I think that environment quietly shaped me. Creativity was never something I questioned, it was simply part of who I was.”

Above: silver earrings inspired by nature

And what sparked your interest in jewellery specifically?

“I’ve always been drawn to it. Anything delicate, detailed or quietly luminous captured my attention from a young age. There’s something about jewellery’s intimacy and permanence that I’ve always found meaningful.

“The fact that this interest has resurfaced now feels very natural – almost like returning to something that was always there, waiting. Jewellery is a form of storytelling you can carry with you – something personal, symbolic and enduring.”

How did aēr begin life?

“It began with a memory. As a young adult, I was captivated by the painting The Angels of the Night by William Degouve de Nuncques, which I saw at the Kröller-Müller Museum here in the Netherlands. There was something about its atmosphere – quiet, mysterious, almost otherworldly – that stayed with me. I imagined a foggy garden at night, filled with hidden stories, shifting seasons and unseen presences. A place where something is always happening, just beyond what we can fully grasp.

“That vision became the foundation of aēr – a dream-like world that I think of as a midnight garden. My first collection drew from this imagined space and was inspired by the unseen, by nature’s subtle presence and by the idea that there’s always more beneath the surface than we immediately perceive.”

Above: gold and silver rings evoking face-like forms shaped by the wind, from the ‘Faces’ collection

How would you describe your creations?

“I think of them as small tokens – quiet, personal objects that hold meaning. They’re meant to feel like keepsakes – things to treasure over time. Each piece is handmade in silver or gold, and I hope they resonate with those who value intention and longevity – people who want to invest in something they can grow attached to and that becomes part of their story.”

What inspires your work?

“Many different things, including historic jewellery, symbolic art, Greek mythology and the quiet poetry of form and material. I’m often inspired by things that are slightly intangible: atmosphere, memory, emotion. I’m especially drawn to the idea that objects can hold meaning beyond their physical form – that they can suggest something unseen or felt rather than explicitly shown.”

Above: silver rings from the ‘Arbos’ collection, inspired by the organic shapes of weeping willows

What does the jewellery-design process look like for you?

“It’s quite intuitive, especially in the early stages. I usually start with a vague idea – more of a feeling or direction than a fixed design – and allow myself to experiment freely. I try not to overthink it at the beginning, because that can make me lose the sense of curiosity and openness that’s so important to creating. 

“Once a piece starts to take shape and I feel confident in its direction, I shift to refining it, giving it more clarity and structure. I wouldn’t say I’m searching for perfection, though. I’m much more interested in whether a piece feels true to the story I’m trying to tell.”

Can you tell us about your latest collection, ‘Harvest’?

“My latest pieces celebrate the richness of summer and were inspired by sun-ripened fruit and other seasonal joys. They emerged from a desire to create something lighter, more playful and easier to wear – I wanted to design items that could move effortlessly between different styles and moments. Brooches felt particularly exciting. They’re having a bit of a resurgence, and they offer a simple but expressive way to transform an outfit. I love how something small can completely alter what you’re wearing.”

Above: a selection of silver brooches from the ‘Harvest’ collection

Creating and unveiling a new venture is always a big step. What have been the highs and lows along the way?

“Sharing aēr felt very personal – almost like revealing a part of myself that isn’t always easy to explain. I worried that people might not understand the vision or connect with it in the way I hoped. At the same time, that vulnerability has been one of the most meaningful parts of the process. When people do connect, it feels all the more special.

“There have also been some very practical challenges. Working with silver and gold requires a certain financial investment, which can be difficult when you’re just starting out. I’ve had to be very mindful with materials and money, saving and reinvesting wherever possible. But in a way, these limitations push you to be more intentional. They force you to create something that truly feels like you – something thoughtful, personal and original.”

Do you have any personal favourites from the pieces you’ve created so far?

“I think my ‘Faces’ rings are my favourites. They feel closest to the original idea behind aēr. They hold that sense of quiet symbolism and emotional presence that I wanted to explore from the very beginning.”

Above: more rings from the ‘Faces’ collection, this time showing faces revealed in the hearts of flowers that have lost their petals

What’s next for aēr? Do you have any exciting plans or launches on the horizon?

“The first collections have been quite conceptual and rooted in storytelling, but I feel future ones may evolve more freely – still connected to the essence of aēr, but inspired by things I simply love or feel drawn to in the moment. The brooches are already a step in that direction – more spontaneous, but still intentional. I’m excited to allow the brand to grow in a way that feels natural rather than fixed.”

Finally, do you have any advice for others looking to start a new creative venture?

“Take your time and allow yourself to explore without pressure. Try things, change your mind, follow different directions… it’s all part of the process. Look at what others are creating, visit museums, stay curious and let yourself be surprised. Over time, you’ll begin to recognize what truly resonates with you.

“And most importantly: trust yourself. Even if it takes time to get there, the things you’re consistently drawn to are often pointing you in the right direction.”

Thanks Michiel!

Shop Michiel’s beautiful jewellery on the aēr website. You can also find him on Instagram.

All photography by Michiel Bosman

The post Profile | Jewellery designer Michiel Bosman of aēr appeared first on .