In 2019, I graduated from Dartmouth — clueless about what was next, I stayed an extra year working on a fellowship through the fellowship department.
That same year, I started planning my first jewelry show as a recent grad to be held in April 2020.
Long story for each of us reading — there was no show.
Five years forward, now in New York, I decided it was time for the show — time to work on a singular focus. On something very personal and very meaningful and something which had been delayed too many years: presenting my work to a larger audience and having a dedicated space and date.
It took a while to figure out exactly what I wanted and how I would make it happen — but I figured it out.
My own show — just my work in one space, all for me.
The concept
I worked on these ideas day and night for almost half a year. I decided to name this first opening show — Ambrosia: food of the gods. Greek Mythology has been one of my favorite sources of inspiration since college, so the title felt very on brand.
Once the details had revealed themselves, it was time to start construction. Order materials. Order stones. Work with my stone setter. Make sure everything looked perfect — and repeat.
I went to the Tucson Gem show in Arizona in February, so I had a lot of beautiful stones to choose from — all natural, all rare, all unique. Each one with its own story, and I had the responsibility to make each one shine with my designs.
Show time
For this occasion I selected an art gallery downtown as the venue — Anita Rogers Gallery — the curators, Elizabeth and her assistant, are some of the nicest people and I felt very supported before and after the show.
The time came — 6pm — and I was still working. I was late to my own show!
Once I made it to the gallery at 6:20pm, everything felt complete even with the things left to finish. Murphy's law was in full effect that evening. The crew I had assembled and trusted to help delivered.
Yvonne, Stangny, Allison, William, Kevork, Griselda, and Sam — thank you. What started as an individual endeavor turned into a team effort and was made so much more beautiful because of it.
The jewelry was beautifully placed on fruit to honor the theme — Ambrosia — food of the gods. And I completed more designs than I thought possible in the time frame.
Polaroid invitation featuring Ambrosia Gold Bee with Honeycomb set Diamonds and Platinum wings