“My main inspiration comes from nature and what better materials than gold, gems and beautiful colored vitreous enamels to pay tribute to life and all creations. Plique-a-jour enameling in itself has been the ideal vehicle for my self-expression. The alchemy of metal, glass and fire has always fascinated me. Designing for plique-a-jour is a real challenge; each piece becomes a hands-on operation and is very time consuming. In a world where time and money have become the only values, setting pleasure aside, I feel that glass on metal reflects my own spirit and nature.”

Delicate Raymond

“Inspired by playing in the sand and gathering up sea creatures as a child, my Delicate Raymond collection features beachy pieces containing vintage shells and genuine coral. Delicate Raymond is named after my beloved grandfather Raymond, a noted Pacific Northwest lapidary artist and gemologist. My hippie jewelry-making mother and a watercolor artist uncle encouraged me to follow in their creative footsteps, and I began designing jewelry as a child.”

Gina Pankowski/Lattis

“Wearing jewelry is a special expression of personality and life’s experiences. My first piece of jewelry was made in high school. Modeled in wax, the ring of intertwined iris flowers was cast in sterling silver; my best friend still wears it. In college I rediscovered jewelry in a course with Goldsmith, Mary Lee Hu. This was the beginning of my love for jewelry.”

Manya & Roumen, LLC

“I aspire to create pieces that invoke wonder and intrigue, like the natural forms that inspire me. I try to recreate the perfect curve of a swan’s neck or the natural asymmetry of a crab seen from above. I am amazed and inspired by Japanese netsuke, the Lalannes, Art Nouveau (in particular Tiffany & Lalique), fables and fairytales, ancient pottery from Asia and Europe, Buddha sculptures, Thai shrines and temples, Shinto shrines, Baroque sculpture and architecture (especially Bernini),Hayao Miyazaki, gargoyles, sumi-e, Moroccan architecture, illuminated manuscripts, illustrative graffiti, and the talented artists whose work is displayed in boutiques and fashion magazines.”

Amenda Tate

“I am a jewelry designer and metalsmith. Each piece is individually handcrafted in my Colorado studio. My works are contemplations, entertaining the idea that objects can be both organic in form and relation as well as mechanical in a functional format: adornment. These contemplations materialize as wearable jewelry with a sculptural presence. I strive to balance dichotomy: organic/mechanical, inherent/industrial, expected/unpredictable, variety/repetition, simple/complex. I create alliterations in metal that possess a rhythmic quality in form.”

Alejandra

“My philosophical approach to jewelry design is based on a desire to create artistically relevant pieces that reflect the 21st century. Through design I attempt to forge a connection between the sophistication of the modern era and the elegance of the past. My primary interest is in gemstones with alternative colors, cuts and shapes. I am invigorated by mixing seemingly disparate colors to create exciting new combinations. I am inspires by the possible combinations of complement and contrast which are virtually limitless but the perfect balance of those opposing forces is so elusive. The excitement comes from finding that perfect balance.”

“I did my metals training in Florence, Italy, and returned to Stanford University to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in Design. While in graduate school I spent many hours in the campus foundry, and it is there that I met Kim Hoffmann and Sara Shaughnessy. Both women had backgrounds in mechanical engineering, and as we got to know each other we found we had much in common. We have a varied skill set that serves us well when meeting the needs of individual clients who are searching for unique engagement rings and wedding bands. I always knew I would be an artist, but never wanted to work alone, with RedStart we have found success as a team and enjoy every day.”

“Architects can spend years designing just one building, but jewelry affords a designer a quicker turn-around which is immensely gratifying, says trained architects, Karen and James Moustafellos. Working within an interdisciplinary approach to design, James began taking metalsmithing courses to learn more about metals and fabrication ethods to apply towards architectural detailing. Intrigued by the idea of making multiples and producing something in a relatively short period of time the duo began to focus on small pieces. James produced a series of necklaces and bracelets for Karen and the reaction inspired a business.”

“In addition to my worldwide travels, my biggest inspiration comes from my children. Their joie de vie is contagious- I’ve learned so much from them and continue to do so every day.”

“I have two goals for my jewelry: one, to be distinctively contemporary and two, to be accessible. I want my work with granulation to be contemporary and not solely based on historical examples of granulation. I use oxidized (blackened) silver, minimalist shapes, architectural structures, and even non-traditional materials with 22kt yellow and white gold granulation. I thrive in the dichotomy between this ancient surface decoration called granulation and a contemporary aesthetic and use of materials. By combining contemporary materials such as oxidized silver or steel with gold granulation the price is more affordable. Art should be accessible to more than just the very wealthy.”