FEATURED ARTIST

Fine silver and gemstone jewelery always sets itself apart - come and meet our featured jeweler -



Here is our interview with the artist -

Briefly describe what you make?

I create unique pieces of jewelry using sterling silver and 14 karat gold wire and gemstones. As of now, I use various wire wrapping techniques to achieve the look and composition of my designs and wire sculpting and hammering techniques as well.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Primarily, I use sterling silver to keep the cost as affordable as possible though some stones and designs just need the look of gold to fully bring them to life. I just love shaping and manipulating metal. What I may love more is the stones themselves! Since I was a kid, and like a lot of kids, I loved picking up cool-looking rocks and had a rock collection. My grandfather is a geologist and a lapidary and he certainly played a role in fostering my love of rocks. This interest has stayed in me and every time I see rough (or uncut) specimen or a cut and polished gem, I get a little giddy inside.

How long have you been creating jewelry?

I began seriously wire wrapping about June-July of 2009. I had played around making a piece of jewelry here and there for a long time but the art of wire wrapping beyond making loop closures was something new to me. You can really do a lot with wire, without soldering. Though I must say, in the future (hopefully near rather than far) I want to expand my skill set and start soldering, sawing, eventually grow into a real metal-smith.

How did you get started?

As I said earlier, I had made jewelry before, just for fun, probably since I was about 11 years old. I've always enjoyed crafting, whether it be jewelry, sewing/crocheting, drawing, building, I've dabbled in a lot of things and I enjoy it all. The idea to actually make jewelry as a serious endeavor (e.g. more than a hobby) was really one of those crazy things you wake up to one morning and you can't get it out of your head. I didn't begin right away but there it was: sooner or later I was going to make jewelry to sell. I started out making some beaded watch bands because they were simple and cute but then I came across some jewelry tutorials for wire wrapping and the rest is history.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

I tell you, one of the hardest things in forming a business is coming up with a name for it, at least that's what was hardest for me. I was brainstorming and I asked my husband offhandedly (for probably the fifth time over the course of two weeks) what I should call my shop. He suggested, without much thought to it, "Honoria." We had been watching "Jeeves and Wooster" episodes and there's a character named Honoria Glossop in one we'd seen recently. He thought the name sounded nice. I mulled over it and shortened the name to Noria and the name "Noria Jewelry" just had a ring to it that I liked.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

I do it all myself; the designs, the forms, the wrapping, even the findings (except for some commercially-produced chains), I make them myself. There are other fabulous wire artists out there and while I strive to one day be counted among them, I also strive to keep my aesthetic unique to my own style and artistic expression.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Keep it enjoyable. Learn new techniques, seek fresh inspirations. Don't be afraid of criticism, in fact, welcome it and then learn from it.

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Very nice - very elegant! Come see this shop - and then come back and leave a comment!