Have you ever come across certain rocks or leaves and wished you could just hang them around your neck or from your ears? Well, maybe not, but probably only because they needed a bit of tweaking before gracing your body. New York-based jewelry designer Irene of Metaxa does just this, translating the work of nature into beautiful, wearable jewelry. Her take on nature-as-accessories goes beyond the literal, incorporating natural forms in subtle ways.
For some of her pieces, she applies delicate and detailed imprints of sea fans and coral onto the likes of bangles, earrings, and cufflinks; for others, she reinterprets the more rugged forms of twigs and leftover Greek ruins into sleek necklaces and shimmering rings. Some of her more abstract pieces recall the organic shapes of nature, featuring loops and folds reminiscent of growing vines and autumn leaves.
Irene also emphasizes the importance and charm of handmade work, explaining that she does “not hide simple constructions, as seams and ends become an obvious and integral part of the design.” Irene’s work for Metaxa is constructed with ethically sourced and eco-friendly precious metals, making her jewelry perfect for the quickly arriving BUST Craftacular at The Seed, this weekend! Take a peek at her Etsy store for now, but be sure to pop by the Metaxa stand this weekend to really experience her tactile and lovingly handcrafted jewelry. Keep your eyes peeled for more Vendor Spotlights as we get closer to the big event (June 16-17), and buy your advance tickets here!
Images courtesy of Irene of Metaxa
