Interview with Shrine Jewelry

- How would you define your style in the world of jewelry?
I would define my style as intentional jewelry, deeply influenced by ancient styles, particularly the timeless elegance of Egyptian adornments. To me, jewelry goes beyond mere decoration—it is a way to honor and celebrate the sacredness of our physical being. Every piece I design carries purpose, aiming not only to enhance beauty but to express individuality, empower the spirit, protect, and even summon specific energies that the wearer wishes to embody. Drawing inspiration from the symbolic and spiritual depth of ancient cultures, I focus on creating pieces that reflect a connection to something greater—be it the earth, the ocean, the cosmos, or the inner power of the individual. I see jewelry as an incredibly personal form of expression, allowing us to shape how we are perceived and how we perceive ourselves. My creations are made to be both meaningful and symbolic, helping each person adorn themselves as the shrine they truly are, with jewelry that resonates on a deep, soulful level.

- How do you balance innovation with tradition in your art?
I balance innovation with tradition by drawing from ancient techniques and symbols while infusing them with modern design and personal meaning. The art of sand casting, which I often use, is a bygone method that connects me to the rich heritage of metalworking. Yet, I approach this traditional craft with a contemporary eye, exploring new materials like Moissanite and embracing organic, sculptural forms that reflect the uniqueness of nature and the individuality of each wearer. By honoring ancient processes and blending them with modern sensibilities, I create pieces that feel reminiscent of times past yet modern and fresh. Tradition grounds my work, giving it a sense of history and depth, while innovation allows me to push boundaries, both in design and in the ways jewelry can be worn as an expression of self. This balance ensures that my creations resonate on a deeper level— rooted in the past, while empowering and elevating the modern wearer.

How do you choose to represent uniqueness in your creations?
I represent uniqueness by embracing both the organic nature of sand casting and the intricate craft of textile techniques like knitting and crochet in metal. Each piece of jewelry I create is one-of-a-kind because of the inherent qualities of these methods. With sand casting, every mold is hand sculpted, and the process often leaves subtle, unique imperfections that add to the natural beauty of the piece. This method allows me to capture the raw essence of nature, where no two items are ever exactly the same. Similarly, when I work with knitting and crochet in metal, the fluidity and flexibility of these techniques let me create jewelry that is as intricate and delicate as it is strong and resilient. Each stitch in the metal is carefully worked by hand, which ensures no two pieces are ever identical. These textile techniques allow me to bring a sense of softness and organic movement to a material that is often seen as rigid, further emphasizing the uniqueness of every creation. Through both of these processes, I create intentional jewelry that reflects the individuality of both the wearer and the natural world, allowing each piece to resonate with its own story and energy.

What path led you to become a contemporary jewelry artist?
My path to becoming a jewelry artist began with my deep-rooted passion for millinery and fashion. As a milliner, I crafted elaborate, one-of-a-kind headwear that celebrated individuality, style, and craftsmanship. It was through this work that I first began experimenting with precious metals. I started incorporating silver and gold into my designs, creating intricate lace patterns and weaving fine metal wire to form delicate textiles. This blending of fashion and metalwork opened a new world of creative possibilities for me, and it wasn't long before my focus shifted to jewelry. Jewelry offered a more intimate and accessible way to connect with people. It allowed me to craft pieces that not only adorned the body but also empowered and expressed something deeper within the wearer. The transition from millinery to jewelry has allowed me to carry over my love for originality, craftsmanship, and bold design while focusing on the intentional and personal aspects of each piece.

- How do you think sustainability impacts the contemporary jewelry world?
Sustainability is becoming an essential element in the contemporary jewelry world. The impact of jewelry production on the environment is significant, which is why I love using recycled metals and lab-created gemstones in my work. By working with recycled metals, we reduce the need for new mining, which is often invasive and harmful to ecosystems. This allows me to create beautiful pieces without contributing to the destruction of the natural world that inspires so much of my work. Lab-created gemstones, such as moissanite, offer a stunning and ethical alternative to mined stones. They possess the same beauty, brilliance, and durability as their natural counterparts but are made in controlled environments, minimizing the environmental and human toll. These sustainable choices allow me to craft pieces that are not only beautiful but also mindful of their impact, reflecting my belief that jewelry can be both luxurious and responsible.

 - What role do personal emotions play in your creativity?
Personal emotions play a significant role in my creations, as art-making is not only my profession but also a therapeutic, and meditative practice. The act of crafting becomes a space for reflection, healing, and emotional processing. Many of my pieces, like the Halo necklace, involve a repetitive, intricate process. The Halo necklace, for instance, is made up of hundreds of hand-cut gold sequins, each individually welded onto a double-knit chain. The rhythm of these repetitive actions provides me with a space for contemplation. Through the repetition, I can process emotions, turning them into something tangible and beautiful. This meditative process allows me to transform my emotional experience into a piece of wearable art, connecting the internal world with the physical. In the end, jewelry making becomes a reflection of this journey, where each piece holds within it the time, care, and emotion that went into its creation. The end result is art that not only adorns the body but also resonates with the spirit.