Aleksandra Jovanović

Name: Aleksandra Jovanovic

Website Link: http://ksandrajewelry.blogspot.com/

Where are you located? Niš, Serbia

Tell us a bit about yourself:  I was born in Niš, a city in south-east Serbia. Even as a child I was creative and I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I wanted to study art, but I never had the opportunity and so I finished Mechanical Engineering at university. I married my childhood sweetheart in high school, and we have son and daughter together. I am happy that I have wonderful family who support me.


When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I only started making jewelry a year ago. I like fine art, and I think that making jewelry is my favourite way to express myself.

What do you make? I make unique handmade jewelry such as rings, bracelets, earrings, hair accessories and my favorite – necklaces.

What materials and methods do you use? I use copper, silver, gemstones, my favorite material being Czech glass beads. I learnt basic techniques for making jewelry on the internet, and now I love to use them all to create a piece of jewelry. Techniques that I use are metal smithing, wire wrapping and wave.

Where do your design inspirations come from? My designs are purely from my imagination. As soon as I see the materials laid out in front of me, I create a picture in my mind of the piece I want to make.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? My studio is a corner in my flat. I feel relaxed there as I am always surrounded by the comfort of my family.

Where can your products be seen? My blog,   My Flickr,   Copper wire jewelers,   and my facebook page.

Upcoming events: In October my work will be displayed at an exhibition in a Car History Museum in Belgrade, Serbia.

Magazine articles or press: Copper Wire Jewelers Magazine – Issue 3

Price range: $5 – $150

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: My favorite pieces of jewelry are a cuff and a tie I made out of copper. I used a piercing technique and a saw blade for the first time along with hand graving, which gave the metal a texture. It was a big challenge for me, and I really enjoyed doing this set.

http://copperwirejewelers.ning.com/profile/AleksandraJovanovic

Derya Aksoy

Name:  Derya Aksoy

Website Link: www.jewelera.etsy.com

Where are you located? Orange County, California

Tell us a bit about yourself: I was born and raised in the most beautiful city, –for me- in the world; Istanbul, Turkey . Istanbul is where two continents meet and has thousands of years of history. It is a city which never sleeps, where time goes faster and I never stop missing it. Right after graduating from Fine Arts College I followed the man I loved and moved to USA after our wedding in Istanbul. I was 22 then, and that was about 7 years ago. Since then I lived in Atlanta/GA, Appleton/WI and now Anaheim/CA. America is so huge, and has many different cultures under the same roof. Even though it was hard moving around just when you feel like you adjusted to the new place, it is also culturally enhancing.  Yes, I had back pain for a week after shoveling the snow in our driveway in Wisconsin the first time in my life, but I’m happy to say now that I did that you know? I’m a person who likes to learn new things by reading, but prefers to the actual practice too. Last but not least; I always start my day with a cup of Turkish coffee!

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? Why? Because I believe creativity was the ingredient added to my soul, genes and blood when I was being created. The women in my family were also very creative and artistic, especially my mom. She used to sew all my dresses, even school uniform and I grow up seeing her doing all kinds of craft from making flower bouquets out of dough to decorative painting. I have been drawing, creating with my hands and dreaming about being an artist since I was a kid. I used to make my own paper dolls, clipped house ware images from my mom’s magazines and made furniture by folding card boards to decorate a whole house for them!  That took me to study fashion in high school, then Set and Costume Design in College.  I never tried jewelry making until I moved to USA and got bored out of my mind at the first year. It felt like time slowed down and the streets were so empty compared to Istanbul with 18 million population. I was jobless, no language and no driver license, no family and friends. I always believe lack of things pushes people to be more creative, and with my mom’s suggestion I ordered some beads and basic beading supplies from the internet and started playing with them. I remember trying to make earrings first, and thinking ‘wow, it is a lot harder than I thought!’ Soon after I found my way around it and couldn’t stop!

What materials and methods do you use? I’m constantly trying to discover some new techniques and materials to create new and fresh look for my jewelry. I’ve never been interested in doing something traditional, not that it is a bad thing, but I’m just passionate about going against the rules and putting something out there that you don’t see alike around. I love people’s reactions when they see my designs and go ‘what is this made out of?’ or ‘how the H did you think of that?, it is really cool!’ Currently my butterflies/wings collection would be a perfect example for that, where I transfer butterfly images onto organza fabric to create them! I’m also proud of my cotton plants collection; I love my little unique cotton balls. I also used photographic prints, wool, electrical wire, plastic grocery bags, plastic bottle, raw silk, wallpaper and such materials in my designs so far. My studio is like a chemical lab most of the time. I love reconstructing vintage jewelry or include vintage components to my designs as well. Those make unique additions to my creations and a one of a kind features.

Where do your design inspirations come from? My biggest inspiration source is my surroundings. I’m a big fan of nature and I believe the most amazing designs/creations are already in the nature only not made by people. I mean look at the amazing patterns on animals, or color combinations on flowers, the veins on the wings of a tiny bug, there is no wrong, everything is so breathtakingly beautiful! My maze towards nature is definitely mirrors on my designs. The other one I would say is the culture I’m from. What I observed visually and emotionally when I was growing up definitely show themselves through my creations. I don’t plan to do so but that just happens, I believe that is same for all the other artists.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? For the last year I had a studio space in Artist Village, Santa Ana, which I loved. But then I realized I’m more productive at late nights so having my work space at home was more convenient. Now I’m back to working from home again, in my craft room where I have all my mess spread all over most of the time. I was never one of those well organized craft people!

Where can your products be seen? My online shop, my blog, and flickr (if you like to see more behind the scenes action), and my facebook page.  My work also can be found at Terrain store in PA .

Upcoming events: I will be in Long Beach Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival at June 27th Sunday   One of my favorite craft shows of all times!

Magazine articles or press:   I’ve written step by step instructions on several of my designs for jewelry magazines in the past years, a recent one will be in Handcrafted Jewelry magazine this year (more details will be in my blog once the issue is out). Also some recent features of my jewelry in these wonderful online sites:  Craftzine,  papernstitchblog,   designspongeonline, collegecandy,   scoutiegirl

Who are you a fan of? I’m a huge fan of people who are willing to be open to share from themselves! Sharing would be in any kind, I share through my work, you may share a smile, or another one may share his knowledge, no limits! We are all unique and special and have different talents, skills etc. Why keep everything to ourselves? As you keep sharing, it becomes epidemic and that gets bigger and bigger, and from that huge thing it becomes there is always a good chunk of slice or two for everyone, it comes back to you. Some may see these as cliché, but things become cliché for a reason, it is the truth.

Price range: $13.50 – $265

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: Currently my Fluttery Breath of Life necklace is my favorite one. It is bold in some way but not too overpowering due to the sheer nature of the organza fabric and mostly natural tones with just a little pop of bright colors here and there. It simply makes me happy to look at it, and the design itself is so unusual with my unique technique of creating the butterflies by transferring images of many different kinds of moths onto organza fabric.

Fluttery Breath of Life

Theresa Burger

Name: Theresa Burger

Website Link: www.theresaburger.com

Where are you located? Currently located in Cape Town, South Africa but am relocating to Dublin, Ireland in September of this year to begin a MA degree in Design.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am a 25 year old South African, who grew up in Cape Town. I love life and I am fortunate enough to be able to travel regularly and delight in absorbing foreign cultures and sights. Exposure to such places and people helps with design inspiration and self awareness. The process of designing and making my own jewelry enriches my life greatly and I relish the creative process of exploring these creative energies.

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry art? I began my studies in jewelry design in 2005, I enrolled in a design and manufacture degree course at Cape Peninsular University of Technology. I actually decided on studying jewelry through a recommendation from my godmother. Knowing that I was creative and wanted to explore something in a more practical line, she suggested that particular course having visiting a previous exhibition and being amazed by the standard of the students work. Once I began I was hooked, learning the skill of silver smithing is not easy and it is not something that one can just accomplish in a short space of time. Its a skill that demands practice and patience – things I had to learn and am still learning. Ultimately I was looking for the right medium for my self expression and jewelry is such a perfect vehicle for this process.

What do you make? I manufacture most types of jewelry, from rings, neck pieces, earrings and brooches. I would describe my jewelry as being contemporary individualistic items that reflect my creative drive. I enjoy the designing process and my items always begin with pencil and paper, once it gets taken to the bench and one begins fabrication, its a wonderfully rewarding artistic practice. The most important aspects to my designing is that the object is wearable and aesthetically pleasing. The meshing of these 2 elements in a design are essential to all the jewelry I design and manufacture. As far as style goes, I think that is something that needs to consistently develop and grow, I go through stages where my designs are very organic and narrative in nature and then stages where they are abstract and the designs are less literal.

What materials and methods do you use? For the last 5 years I have predominately been working in silver, I also have gold and some platinum smithing experience. My 2008-2009 graduate collection consists mainly of silver, semi-precious stones and resin. The collection revolved around my family tree and each item was inspired and designed around various family members, the tree going back 3 generations. For this particular collecting I used more traditional metal fabrication techniques, allot of hollow construction and piercing. My resin work is a big favorite of mine, I love experimenting with various ideas, I produced a collection of rings where I made the ‘stones’ from the resin in different geometric shapes, using clear resin set holding suspended gold or silver leaf. Currently for 2010 I have been working on a collection I like to call ‘AfricaRich’ – it’s almost like homage to my mother continent before I move. This body of work is more commercial, designs have been simplified for faster production. I have incorporated silver, different woods, bone, animal horn, recycled glass beads and epoxy resin to create vibrant and fun items.

Where do your design inspirations come from? There are many things that inspire me, I believe that it is imperative as a creative person, one must know what inspires you. I agree whole-heartedly with Emma (From Emma Anne Jewelry) that anything and everything has the potential to inspire us. I am very inspired by the beauty of nature but also by previous art and craft movements, a favorite being the Art Deco period. I find what other contemporary jewelers produce very inspirational, especially jewelers who work with using non-precious materials. A lot of my work also centers around autobiographical themes, deriving sources from my own personal experiences. With my current collection it is Africa that is my source of inspiration, the colors, textures and vibrancy serve as fantastic sources.What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I have set up my studio at home, in a garage type of a space. Which is not always ideal but as long as I am able to work I really don’t mind. In the future I do hope to acquire a larger studio space to be able to set up another bench. As long as it is quiet and I am able to work in peace, I am happy where ever I may work.

Where can your products be seen? My website,   My flickr

Magazine articles or press: IforOne Blog,   CarrotBox,     Mar De Color Rosa Blog

Who are you a fan of? I adore Mah Rana for her message and the way she sets out to highlight the important role of jewelry within our lives, her work is fascinating. The Australian Julia DeVille, the Dutch jeweller Jacomijn Van Der Donk, who changes the ordinary into the truly extraordinary and Cristian Dorigatti for his bold sense of aesthetic and exciting design.

Price range: $50 – $350

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: This is a silver ring and pendant from my graduate 2009 collection. I chose these pieces because I loved manufacturing them, they were fun experimental items which presented many new challenges for me as both a designer and a maker. They have come to represent a turning point for me as a designer, they signify the confidence and knowledge I gained in the final year of my degree. They contain clear resin and gold leaf and are prime examples of the fantastic aesthetic resin has to offer!

Emma Stricker

Name: Emma Stricker

Website Link: www.emmaanne.com

Where are you located? Cape Town, South Africa

Tell us a bit about yourself: My name is Emma and was born and raised in the beautiful city of Cape Town, which is situated on the coast of South Africa. I grew up as one of three children in a very supportive, close-knit family. Creativity definitely runs in my blood, my mom can only be called an artist, dabbling in interior design, jewelry, beading and painting to name but a few and my brother is an architect by profession but is also one of the most creative people I know.  Put simply, I’m a jewelry designer and manufacturer and I absolutely love the work I do…I’m a creative person through and through and designing is my passion!

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I actually started out studying English and psychology but after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, I decided my heart wasn’t entirely into it and I was craving a more creative path. On a whim at school I’d shadowed a jeweler as a potential career and loved it but I think I was naively too scared to go through with it when everyone I knew was choosing careers in finance. I changed my mind, though, in part because I liked the concept of being able to not only design something, but also be responsible for creating it. There is without doubt an awesome feeling in putting so much of yourself into an idea and then, in the end, having something really beautiful to show for it.

So, after enrolling at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to study Jewelry Design and Manufacture I was accepted and for the next five years studied the practice of making and designing jewelry (which was a lot more work than I’d ever anticipated). I ended up graduating top of my class and looking back the decision to study jewelry was the best one I’ve made to date. I officially launched my label emma anne at the beginning of this year and I feel like I’ve found my true calling and I absolutely love the work I do which I think is fundamental in life.

What do you make? I design and manufacture jewelry. I would describe the work I do as distinctive contemporary jewelry that is not only unique and intriguing, but that also pushes the boundaries of traditional jewelry by using metals in different ways to create jewelry that is fresh and exciting.  I like to design pieces that haven’t been made before so that each piece is not only beautiful, but also individualist and innovative.

What materials and methods do you use? I mostly use Sterling Silver because it is so versatile and, compared to other metals, is inexpensive. Some of my pieces also incorporate resin or semi-precious stones or even semi-precious beads that I string. Regarding methods, most of my work is made by folding metal in different ways. I like the idea that with repeating a few simple folds in metal, I am able to seemingly complex pieces that are visually appealing.

Where do your design inspirations come from? In terms of my influences, I am inspired by new things on a daily basis from the simplest of lines to the most complex structures…I think there is potential in anything to inspire creativity.

In my current collection, though, the predominant inspiration is the art of origami. I have loosely translated the skill of paper folding into my designs by creating a few simple folds in metal and repeating these in various patterns. What results is an array of simple yet effective pieces with a structured, geometric feel.  This inspiration even plays a role in the design process of my folded collection in that I often start an idea by playing with paper shapes and folding these in ways I think will work or be effective in metal. Once my paper models are made, I translate the workings into metal. It’s really about playing with ideas and being patient enough to come up with fresh exciting designs.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? Two words, organized chaos. I have to admit I’m certainly not the neatest of workers but that’s who I am and I think rather than hindering creativity, it somehow enhances it (or that’s what I tell myself anyway).  I have a studio in my garage at home and that’s where everything happens.

Where can your products be seen? In terms of the Internet, my jewelry can be found in my Etsy shop, on my Website, on my blog, and lastly on my facebook page.
My jewelry can also be found in stores like Mememe on Long Street in Cape Town as well as at Reads Gallery in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Upcoming events: I will be participating in the next annual exhibition at Reads Gallery in Rosebank, Johannesburg beginning 2nd September 2010.

Magazine articles or press: The Carrotbox Blog,    Most Beautiful Object in South Africa,   Design Indaba,   Dress Sense Blog,   Kim Gray Stylist.

Who are you a fan of? This is a tough one, I have so many favorites and the list just keeps growing.   At the moment though, I think that the work coming out of South Africa is really inspiring.  I’m a huge fan of two of my contemporaries, Theresa Burger and Nina Schiller (www.inkheartdesign.com). The former creates exceptional jewelry often incorporating resin and gold/ silver leaf in such innovative ways; her creativity is very inspiring. And the latter’s work is really fun and quirky, based on things like word play and childhood stories.

On a more international note, I’m totally inspired by the work of contemporary jewelry designer Mariana Acosta, who plays a lot with form and color, as well as the work of Katherine Wardropper, Yoko Izawa, Ulrike Hamm and Sarah Louise Kelly( Saloukee) to name but a few.  Outside the world of jewelry I’m a big fan of international clothing designer Leanne Marshall whose intricate constructions are a huge inspiration to me.

Price range: $30 – $180

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations: The Flow Ring is definitely one of my favorites. It is hand made from sterling silver and has a cut out design filled with color resin. The piece is colorful and contemporary, and has a very individualist intensity. It is one of my favorites because of how it incorporates a very structured, geometric pattern within an overall organic design. I particularly like the fluidity of this ring, which, in conjunction with the cool colors, gives the piece an element of serenity. The ring also features one of my favorite materials, resin. I enjoy using resin in my jewelry, particularly colored resin, not only because it is an inexpensive way the add color to a piece but also because of the effect it creates when light filters through the different colors, casting captivating shadows.  This ring inspired the idea of folding metal that became the foundation of my folded or, as its being called, origami collection

Flow Ring

Alida Nunez

Name: Alida Nunez

Website Link: http://www.alidajoyas.etsy.com/

Where are you located? Peru, South America

Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m from Lima, Peru and have been living here all my life. I studied Textile Design and worked in this business for almost 7 years not only as a designer but also as an account executive for brands like Liz Golf and Perry Ellis America. During my experience as an account executive I had the opportunity to visit NY twice, and despite the little time I had to make tourism, I really loved it there. I always had the idea of being my own boss and in 2003, after seeing a local jeweler’s interview on TV, I decided to try it myself. Since then I’ve been working with silver jewelry and in 2006 I landed my brand Alida Joyas (joyas is Spanish for jewelry). I’m also venturing in blogging and I expect to have a lot of visitors. Jewelry design is one of my passions. My other passion is music. I’ve been singing for a few years and since 2007 I joined a jazz choir where I found the most amazing people to share my love for music.

When did you begin designing jewelry/art? It was in the middle of 2003 when I decided to take jewelry lessons (metalsmithing), but I started designing my own jewelry in 2004.

What made you choose this type of art? I’m not sure why I exactly chose jewelry because I had the idea of taking metalsmithing lessons long before thinking about dedicating to jewelry design. I guess my dad buying me nice pieces of jewelry when I was little had a little to do with it.

What do you make? I make silver jewelry but I work in 18K gold as per request as well. I also make bridal jewelry, which includes engagement rings, wedding rings and headpieces.

What materials and methods do you use? I use sterling silver 950, which is a purer quality than 925. I combine it with Peruvian natural stones such as serpentine, amazonite and sodalite. The technique I work with is metalsmithing.

Where do your design inspirations come from? I just realized that they find me. They usually come in flashes when I’m listening to music, watching tv or movies, but mostly in my dreams (it comes in handy to have a notebook in the nightstand). I also get inspiration from art and nature, and I’m constantly surfing on the web to see what’s new.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? My studio is at home. I always have music on when I’m working. I can’t be without music. And if it’s sunny, even better! Sun usually puts me in a good mood to work.

Where can your products be seen? You can visit me at: my website,   my blog,   dawanda,   Novica.com

Upcoming events: I’m designing my new collection and I’m pretty excited about it. I won’t tell you what it is about yet, but I can’t wait to share it with you!

Magazine articles or press: Interview for Handmade Crafts blog
Interview for Sara’s Texture Crafts blog
Photoshoot for a local bride’s magazine Bodas where they showcased my jewelry and tiaras

Are you a fan of any jewelry artisans? There are tons of jewelry artists I like. These are some of them: H. Stern,  Alexis Bittar, Claudia Stern

Price range: US$9.00 – US$110

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: One of my favorite designs is my funky set of ring and earrings. It’s colorful, fun and playful and for some reason I identify with it. I don’t mean that I’m colorful, fun and playful, but I do joke a lot.

Anything else you wish to add? There’s no better reward than seeing people wearing my jewelry and being recognized for my style and quality. This makes all the effort worth it.

Black Crow – Trudy Gerritsen

Name: (Black Crow) Trudy Gerritsen

Website Link: http://www.blackcrowjewelry.nl/

Where are you located? I’m located in a small town in The Netherlands.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I grew up as an only child with beloved parents. My mom was creative too and she could make wonderful things with knitting. I was a creative child with a special love for collecting beads and feathers, pieces of wood and stones. Ever since I can remember I was  very interested in Native culture and their respect for nature and all living things! Many years later, I started to make dreamcatchers with gemstones, and that was (again)  the restart of my love for beads!

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I started with making dreamcatchers when I had my own small bead shop on the world wide web. In the beginning, there were only glass crow beads and gemstone chips that I used for my dreamcatchers. That was in 2004. A few years later, the bead collection became bigger and I started to sell other gemstone beads and that was also the start for making jewelry myself. The addiction to seed beads was much later and I created the first cuff in April 2007 after I saw the art of Heidi Kummli.  Designing and making jewelry started as a hobby, but slowly it became my work and I love it !

What do you make? My favorite piece of work is to design and create a beadwork bracelet, especially turquoise and bridal cuffs, but I also make rings, necklaces, earrings and jewelry with gemstones and natural beads. I guess bracelets are my favorite because I wear them myself too, I never wear necklaces.

What materials and methods do you use?  I love to work with gemstones and all other natural materials, for the cuffs I always use leather as a backing. The seedbeads I use are size 15-11 and 8. The methods I use are beadwork (embroidery) and beadweaving. At the moment, I am busy trying some new stuff like lace or wool in combination with gemstone cabochons.

Where do your design inspirations come from? My inspiration is in everything I see – nature, a picture or painting, people…just everything.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I work the best when I am alone at home, just with our 2 cats, a strong cup of coffee and a CD by Metallica in the CD player.  I don’t have space for a separate studio, I always work in our living room, but it is still a dream to have my own studio one day…

Where can your products be seen?  My products can be seen on: http://www.blackcrowjewelry.nl/

Upcoming events:  I don’t do shows, but a few times a year I’m on a local art market in the neighborhood. 

Magazine articles or press: An article in a local newspaper and in a women’s magazine and my work can be seen in the book “Flatwork” written by Nicole Campanella/Beadwright.

Who are you a fan of? Sherri Serafini, Heidi Kummli, Jamie Cloud Eaking, Good Quill Hunting, Kerri Fuhr, Vampi Choi.

Price range:  $20.00 – $400.00

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations: It’s hard to choose a favorite one, I love many of my cuffs, especially the turquoise ones…but this one is my favorite!Just simple earthtones in combination with lovely turquoise cabochons, they don’t need more.

Anything else you wish to add?  Thank you so much for choosing my designs for your interview, it is a great honor and I am delighted  to be on your beautiful website among such other great artists!

A look back at our December featured artisans

A summary of our talented December featured artisans.  Be sure to check out their websites.

Keep up to date on the latest events and news about your favorite World Artisan Gems by bookmarking and checking in at World Artisan Gems News and Events

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Irina Pertseva

Esmeralda Designs

Suzanne Golden

Ira Zelickman

Zuda Gay

Sue Horine

Merle Berelowitz

Christina Bjenning – Esmeralda Designs

Name: Esmeralda Designs by Christina Bjenning

Website Link: http://esmeraldadesigns.com/index.htm

Where are you located? Sea Cliff, a Victorian  artisan-rich village only one square mile big without a single traffic light on the North Shore of Long Island in New York.

da bull

Tell us a bit about yourself:  “My designs like the diamonds I use are, beautiful, rough, and conflict free. In the spirit of conservation, each piece is created with eco-friendly avant garde methods. The metals are up-cycled. The fine silver recycled from photographic film. The bronze from scrap copper.”

I am a Coffee, Dusty Boot and Music loving Distractable Diminutive Metalsmith and Sculptor living with my family in an artisan village a mere square mile without a single traffic light.

My Soulful, Raw and Ethereal Eco-designs embellish rock musicians, opera singers, Oscar Wilde inspired art historians, alternate life-stylers, cowboys, tom girls, wild moms and other really wild spirits.,I design to music. I design for The Lord.

When did you begin designing jewelry/art? Sculptor and painter  sidelined by science for …ack…12 years.. I began my jewelry designs and smithwork five years ago

What made you choose this type of art? Fascination with the beauty of nature and her materials combined with a solid background in sculpture made me fascinated by metalsmith work and gemstones. Strong commitment to conservation and intrigued by new technology.

material girl

What do you make? What materials and methods do you use? My designs are made with eco-friendly avant-garde methods and up-cycled metals in order to conserve our beautiful planet. For instance, all my fine silver is recycled from photographic film and the bronze comes mainly from scrap copper.

Needless to say, my rough diamonds are conflict free and I use diamonds mined in four of the 74 countries that signed the Kimberley Process; The Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Canada and Russia. The Kimberley Process and System of Warranties is a UN mandated and monitored system. For more information visit DiamondFacts.org.

Bronze, Bronze Baby! My new line of sculpted bronze pieces, made from BRONZclay™, brand new eco-conscious technology made from recycled copper (bronze is a combination of mostly copper and a little bit of tin) and tin and binder that was shaped and hand-carved and then fired in active carbon, just like out of the ashes in Pompeji. The patina is natural and will reveal shining bronze if you polish it…very cool! My Heart collection features fine silver jewelry that speaks to your heart and my Soul Collection features soulful sculpted bronze pieces. And combinations of silver and Bronze My Spirit collection features one-of a kind high-end spiritual pieces in 14K or 22K gold with exquisite precious stones. Also, here you find my doeskin pieces. Only seven pieces are designed every third year. Previous years collections are sold out, the designs are found in National and International collections of lovely costumers in the US and abroad. Three of the latest designs are still available for purchase.

slenderest swirl ring

Where do your design inspirations come from? I design to Music, letting the beauty of Nature inspire me as I live by water and walk through the little streets of our village every day. I design for our Lord and cherish my Family my Friends, my rescued pets and the subtleness of poetry and scents.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I live in an old Roebuck-Sears house lovingly restored by its previous owner and we fell in love with the house in particular because of its quirky-ness and the freestanding garage up the hill that we insulated and equipped with workbenches and from its widows I can see the Connecticut Sound on the North Shore of Long Island. I dance and the metals sing in that amazing place:D

Where can your products be seen? My website,    my blog,    my Etsy store,     Indiepublic

Magazine articles or press: Del Mar Times, April 2007

Are you a fan of any jewelry artisans? Yes!  The amazing eco-metalsmith Jesse Danger and Artisan, Ironsmith János Gábor Varga of Blind Spot Jewellery and I am impressed by the work of many others.

Price range:  $35 to $3, 500

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: Gaia is one of my favorite creations, she is a Peruvian Opal suspended from a yummy14K tasseled gold chain and her colors are like those of the Caribbean…I envision that one day…somehow I find myself in a teeny Cessna in the Caribbean archipelago and I see a constellation of atolls just like in this stone and I point and say-right there-realizing that this is now where I will spend the winters and the plane lands on one of those Islands-yummy green in the middle of amazing blue.

Gaia

Anything else you wish to add? Thank you so much for choosing my designs for your interview series,  I am delighted and so honored to be featured amongst such talent.

Ben Orron – Organic Mechanics

Name: Ben Orron

Website Link: www.organic-mechanics.com

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m 23 years old and just moved to Longmont, CO.  I went to the University of Vermont, where I studied Environmental Science, Plant and Soil Science, and Community Development in addition to studio art. 

When did you start designing jewelry/art?  I started designing jewelry in December 2005.

What do you make?  I make wire-wrapped pendants, rings, earrings, bracelets, and other more unusual pieces of jewelry such as a recently made, collaborative four-finger ring.  I also plan on incorporating more traditional/soldering techniques into my work in the coming months.

What materials and methods do you use?  I use sterling, fine, and Argentium silver wire and 18k yellow, green and rose gold wire from 30-14 gauge.  My stones are all untreated, precious and semi-precious crystals and cut gemstones.  The vast majority of my work is done by wire wrapping with no use of heat or solder.  For tools, I occasionally use a vice, but mostly work with my hands or a pair of pliers.

Where do your design inspirations come from?  A lot of my inspiration comes from my materials themselves, that is, the stones and wire.  I try to design my pieces to best display the crystals in the piece, so my designs are a reflection of my interpretation of the stones’ colors, shapes, textures, and energies.  I enjoy melding the rigidity of the crystals paired with the fluidity of the wire to create a flowing, yet precise finished piece.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio?  I actually do a lot of work on the road, or on the couch in my living room, but I am very excited about putting together my first real studio space in the next few weeks at my new house in the garage that will be equipped for silver and goldsmithing.  I like to be in a calm, focused environment with little distraction, and good music is always needed.

Where can your products be seen?  www.organic-mechanics.com

I also show my work at many arts and music festivals such as Rothbury, Allgood, Camp Bisco, and others.

Upcoming events:  My next events are Sound Tribe Sector 9 at Red Rocks, CO on September 8-9, the Rocky Mountain Crystallization Festival in Denver on September 12-13, and the Tuscon Gem and Jam in January.

Who are you a fan of?  I am a big fan of sculpture Anish Kapoor, painters Alex Gray, Rhett Johnson, Kris D, and the jewelry of Ser, Tyler Kahn, John Ebert, and many others.

Price range: $40-$2500

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations:

One of my favorite pieces is my first collaborative piece of art.  John Ebert and myself made a four-finger ring this August that is truly unlike anything else I’ve and is something I’d wanted to create for a long time.  This piece has fourteen different crystals and faceted gems and is wrapped in sterling, fine, and Argentium silver.  There are around 100 hours of work in the piece and it is just the first of a series of future collaborative efforts between John and I.

bumpy knuckles

Very beautiful and unique ways to enjoy the beauty of gemstones. Thank you for this interview.

Inpeloto – Melissa Michaels

Name: Inpeloto – Melissa Michaels

Website: http://www.melissamichaels.net

Tell us a bit about yourself: Model turned designer: It is my love of poetry, music, fashion and humanity which inspired me to take my newly created acronym: Inpeloto which stands for INfinite, PEace, LOve, TOgetherness and developed a company. Inpeloto LLC comprises of volumes of my poetry, jewelry line called Inpeloto Bella: Jewelry with a Conscience™ that integrates my love of poetry into my designs. Inpeloto Bella was born out of poetry, social consciousness and activism.

If we truly embraced this mantra we would have solutions to problems and an evolutionary life. It is also a new word that speaks powerful volumes.

10% of the sales proceeds benefits: BookPALs (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and Conservation International.

Inpeloto Bella is a founding member of a non-profit called Designers 4 Africa. It is a group of designers, businesses, authors and members of the media that wants to do more in the fight to end global poverty by giving their products for auctions, donating 100% of the proceeds to various villages in Africa and ensuring clean water in those communities. Doing what matters and making a difference is the essence of Inpeloto. Inpeloto’s mission: To be world relevant through social transformation by implementing infinite peace, love and togetherness for daily existence of conscious action. Love is a verb.

When did you start designing jewelry/art? 2006

What do you make? Necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. Sterling silver jewelry that incorporates symbolism of infinity, peace, love and togetherness/unity.

What materials and methods do you use? I carve wax to make my molds for the sterling silver jewelry. I also bead and use ribbons to finish off the pieces which adds an extra feminine touch

InPeLoTo necklace

Where do your design inspirations come from? Great question. Art and humanity.

Where can your products be seen?www.myspace.com/melissamichaels

Upcoming events:Eco-Chic Appel and Frank

Past: Earth Day

Last week: Sassy City Chicks

See: http://www.melissamichaels.net/events.htm

Who are you a fan of?David Yurman and of course: Art, fashion and humanity.

Price range: $25.00 – $150.00

Tell me a little about one of your favorite creations: Inpeloto Uni-sex ring.Love it. I wear it with everything. It says it all for all of us. It’s a balancing act for the sexes and very symbolic. It has all the components that make up Inpeloto.

Anything else you wish to add? Inpeloto Bella is hand crafted, original, bold, fashionable and affordable.

Melissa Michaels has also created a clothing to raise social consciousness. Thanks Melissa for your hard work ~You are an inspiration!

Inpeloto tank