Although jewelry is my greatest passion, my roots as an artist are broad. As a child, interests in painting, drawing, and jewelry-making eventually led me to major in photography and costume design in high school. I continued with photography into college but it was in the darkroom where I found the most joy. As photography became increasingly digital-based, I had to search for other ways to express myself.
I found a new and unexpected creative outlet working for a florist in my hometown of Cincinnati, OH. The challenge of creating arrangements that were cohesive within the theme of a wedding or other event was very exciting and let me push my design skills in ways I never expected. This experience also reaffirmed my love for artistic design and inspired me to more seriously pursue my lifelong hobby of making jewelry. I began to experiment with different designs and fashions and refine my own personal style. As I became more confident and experienced I began participating in local art and craft shows and doing custom pieces for friends and family.
The more I immersed myself in jewelry design though, the more aware I became of some of the harsh realities of the business. I learned that many metals and gemstones in traditional jewelry come at a heavy price to the environment and knew I had to do something different if I could continue on this path in good conscience. Fortunately my answer was close at hand...
While working at the florist, I befriended a woman named Gayle Wilson, owner of a local vintage store. Gayle took me under her wing and introduced me to an incredible world of history and beauty that was being lost and forgotten. I would work as her assistant for two years, fully immersing myself in this culture and learning its history. I quickly realized that this was the very opportunity I sought for my own career path and I began to incorporate antique heirlooms and other treasures into my jewelry designs. By recycling these beautiful, vintage objects, I could create unique and fabulous jewelry without harming the earth. With the discovery of this avenue for creating guilt-free jewelry, my inspirations flourished and I soon launched my first jewelry line, Trashy Chic.
As Trashy Chic continued to develop and grow I decided to increase my knowledge of the jewelry industry by obtaining formal training at the Gemological Institute of America. I moved to Carlsbad, California in 2006 and over the next two years obtained degrees in Gemology and Applied Jewelry Arts. Gemology was a particular struggle for me because the more I learned, the more I became aware of the environmental and social impact that jewelry has on our world today. Who would have thought that things as beautiful and precious as diamonds, gemstones, and gold, could have such a negative and destructive history? It still breaks my heart everyday...
Knowledge is power though and with these insights I have been able to avoid some of the common bad practices used in jewelry today. I am proud to say that Trashy Chic is as environmentally and socially conscious as ever. I use recycled or responsibly sourced materials as much as possible and I constantly challenge myself to come up with better ways of making my jewelry. I also pride myself in the craftsmanship of each handmade piece, knowing that the attention to detail and quality materials I use will ensure a long life for your jewelry and keep it from ending up in the landfill. Ultimately, my dream is to create a line of high-end, environmentally and socially conscious jewelry. This won't be easy, but I know that as awareness of the impact that metals and gemstones have on our earth increases, more and more people will want to know the source of their jewelry and the journey it has taken to become the final product they know and love. I hope that by raising awareness of these issues with Trashy Chic, this dream will become more of a reality.
I currently live in the beautiful San Diego area and am focusing on expanding Trashy Chic as well as providing custom work such as weddings. I love to work one-on-one with clients to create an unforgettable piece of jewelry for themselves or their loved ones. Jewelry has always been a symbol of love for me, and whether I am designing for a bride who is inspired by a particular era in history, or incorporating an heirloom into a new design to link someone to their family history, connecting with a client in this way has always been close to my heart and something I am honored by. These experiences fuel my passion to create what I do and I would love to work with you.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. My love for the environment and the beauty that is present in every moment fills me with a desire to constantly grow as a person and artist. Just as the history of our past inspires me, so do the possibilities that lie within the future. I hope my art will inspire in others a desire to question and know the story that lies beneath the beauty of their own jewelry.
XOï‚© -Erin
