Your guide to 11 local jewelry makers
If you’re like me, your jewelry-making skills don’t go beyond stringing colorful beads on a wire or a cord. I lack the creativity, patience and technique, but truly appreciate the work artists put into creating an original piece. There are many jewelry makers in Charlotte and surrounding areas using innovative, traditional and old-world methods and materials to design and hand-make earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Here are eleven local jewelry makers, what they make and where to find their products:
Kathi Matiaszek Lane, 94 Diamonds
“I make necklaces and accessories from pieces of vintage Ukrainian embroidery. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and I incorporate different types of beads (wood, glass and metal) as well as other natural elements such as twine and leather. Currently I’m making necklaces and cuff bracelets as well as handbags and up-cycled clothing.”
Find it: 94 Diamonds, @94diamonds and Facebook
Shop local: Visit Moxie Mercantile, 2008 Commonwealth Ave.
Melissa Wood, Fired Up Jewelry
“All my jewelry is made using recycled bullet casings and shotgun shells. I use brass and aluminum shells to create necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, belly rings, bobby pins and more. I also use the shells on wallets, dog collars, kids’ hair bows and headbands. I enjoy making special custom memory pieces using a customer’s own shells to help save a memory of a special hunt, a shooting competition or even a loved one’s military funeral.”
Find it: Fired Up Jewelry, @fired_up_jewelry and Facebook
Jackie Adkins Hicks, Artisan Works by Jackie
“My designs are all individually hand-forged from recycled aluminum, which makes them very lightweight, tarnish-resistant and less expensive. All the findings used in the pieces are nickel-free. I have pulled many designs from ancient petroglyphs, while others are beach themes, geometrics, or just creative/happy accidents. My designs include earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings and ornaments.”
Find it: Facebook
Shop local: Lancaster County Arts Council, Lancaster SC; Olde English District Visitors Center, Richburg SC; The Beaded Dragon Shop in York, SC and The Museum of York County, Rock Hill.
Trish Sacco, Trish’s Twisteds
“I make jewelry with many different mediums but hammered aluminum wire is my favorite. I use unique beads and each piece has its own story.”
Find it: Trish’s Twisteds, @trishstwisteds and Facebook
Shop local: The Painted Attic and Two Social Butterflies in Rock Hill and Olde English District Visitors Center in Richburg, SC.
Lynn Towe, Covaly Artisan Jewelry
“I use polymer clay, sterling silver, leather, stainless steel and wood to create abstract, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.”
Find it: Covaly Artisan Jewelry
Nadya Aleman, Bajari
“Bajari is a jewelry line that focuses on minimalist, modern pieces for everyday wear. When I create my pieces, they have to be comfortable, lightweight and easy to wear. I make earrings, necklaces and rings using high-quality materials such as resin, brass, sterling silver or gold-filled.”
Find it: Bajari and @bajaridesigns
Shop local: CLT FIND inside 7th Street Public Market
Ellen Hinrichs and Margaret Hinrichs, Geoflora Jewelry
“We make handmade jewelry using semi-precious gemstones, brass and sterling silver. We make earrings, rings, necklaces, cuffs and wall hangings.”
Find it: Geoflora Jewelry, @geoflorajewelry and Facebook
Shop local: Boris and Natasha, Covet Atelier and Cotswold Marketplace
Jamie Holler, Jamie’s Jems
“I make gemstone necklaces, earrings and wire wrap bracelets. I also make laser cut and etched acrylic monograms, bracelets and earrings.”
Find it: Jamie’s Jems and @jamiesjems
Shop local: Unwind Tea and Coffee House in Pineville and Shabby Chic Boutique in Waxhaw
Mary Hamby, Twenty Two West
“My goal is to combine nostalgic roots with modern designs in each of my handmade jewelry pieces. I use the classic techniques of weaving, ceramics and woodworking to create earrings, bracelets and necklaces.”
Find it: Twenty Two West, @twentytwowest and Facebook
This story was originally published June 21, 2018 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Your guide to 11 local jewelry makers."