Alyssa, it's wonderful to be able to work with you again. It's been over 10 years since we saw each other and yet your pieces are timeless and always relevant for me. They have a talismanic quality and I feel protected and "cool" when I wear them.
What have you been up to ?
Since we last saw each other, I’ve moved to to the countryside near Bath, England and had a son, who is now 6.
The landscape here is beautiful; grey skies against electric green hills, subtle lavender tones , neon yellow rapeseed fields and winter flowers that give a glimpse of a glorious Spring season to come. I have a studio in an an artist’s building where I make jewelry and paintings. My work at its core, is still focused on both fine art and artisanal craft. I strive to make poetic pieces that consider both the material elements of weight, color, texture and movement and the magical traditions of totemic powers in objects of adornment. I’m currently working on a one of a kind group of body chains with micro mosaics and a woven silk bodices which have their roots in feminine ceremony and sexuality.
I think you've always played with elementary forms of craftsmanship - weaving, tying and wrapping to form intricate and magical forms using leather, silk threads, metal and even feathers. Has that vocabulary expanded over time to include other materials ?
Yes, I’ve spent some time experimenting with airbrushing metal, inspired by car paint, graffiti and John Chamberlain. While working on a project in Kiev, I developed a collection of flat, geometric enamelled badges and coloured, matte porcelain pieces. I was drawn to Ukrainian folkloric symbols and the coinciding colour palette found in the cityscape.
I like the idea of hiding a secret in jewelry, something so personal, from the long history of the human experience of both love and death. I’m intrigued by the combination of disparate, surprising materials, sometimes that sometimes camouflage themselves.
You have lived in places like Kiev, Mexico, New York and London. How have these places inspired you in your journey as an artist and jewelry maker.
I love looking at new landscapes and spending time in unfamiliar places. Relevance and modernity are important aspects of my work, in accordance with a sense of balance, harmony and beauty. Travel provides infinite inspiration.
We are so excited to be able to exclusively share your handmade pieces with our 6397 customers. As I did, I am sure they will find meaning and protection when wearing them.
