Growing up in California I've always appreciated exploring the outdoors . I began collecting small flowers, leaves, moss, seed pods and started incorporating these botanicals into my jewelry.
Inspired by the shape of the materials or the botanical itself I will actually take the leaves or flowers I've collected and press them into metal leaving a perfect impression that is one of a kind. Whether it is a tiny detail of a flower or a more abstract interpretation like inspiration from the texture of the craters of the moon, nature always seems to show itself in my jewelry.
I've been feeling very lucky lately being able to experience a unique area of Marin, California where I live. I have my small jewelry studio out on a marsh and you get there by wooden boardwalk. The tide comes up and down under foot and it has a view of Mt. Tamalpais, where I like to hike and collect the elements I use in my jewelry. Situated on the edge of the San Francisco Bay this marsh area is a ecological reserve and home to countless birds. Egrets, pelicans, geese, heron, all kinds of shorebirds are a constant flutter. I have a great appreciation of how special and fragile this place is so I'm very conscious in making my jewelry to be ecologically responsible. This past few years have been a wonderful time of inspiration out on the marsh so I thought I'd share some photos and feature it here on my website.
I've taken every art class imaginable and have found what fits. Tiny detail and subtle textures, hammering metal into graceful shapes, using the torch to melt and mold. I like that jewelry has a purpose. It makes us feel good, it marks a special time or event, it evokes memories or is a talisman.
Most of all I love that when I make a piece it moves on for someone to enjoy.
Erin Maa Bryce - aka emaa
on/off
