Arts Fashion

Feature Artist: Stephanie Ellis

(From left) Amaya Rose ring set; Alice necklace; Eira ring set. Stephanie Ellis, artist

By Gina Malone

Artistry often grows out of the materials at hand as well as being shaped by observation of those around us. For Stephanie Ellis, metal was a part of her childhood and knowledge was gleaned from her father, a machinist, and grandfather, a welder. “As a child I jumped at any opportunity to help either of them with a project,” Ellis says. “I learned so much about how things are built and repaired by handing wrenches and holding tools. I still love to build and fix things myself. I think my time spent in the garage in those formative years helped shape me into the maker and craftsman I am today.”

Although her own metal creations—fine handcrafted jewelry—are a bit more delicate, that early knowledge of tools and the properties of metal still serves her today. As a child, she loved wearable art and would create rings from grass, found materials from the garage, and buttons and ribbon from her grandmother’s sewing room. In her high school art class, where there was a limited budget for materials, the music department donated discarded instruments so that the metal could be repurposed. “I fell in love with making jewelry in metal and have never looked back,” Ellis says. “I also fell in love with the idea of repurposing and recycling as part of my process, so all of my pieces are created using recycled metals and certified ethically sourced gemstones.”

(From left) Ann necklace; Elara ring; Harriet split ring. Stephanie Ellis, artist

Ellis earned a BFA in her home state from Iowa State University with a focus on metalsmithing, then after working briefly for a Colorado jewelry artist, attended Southern Illinois University – Carbondale for her master’s in metalsmithing.

To create her fine handcrafted jewelry, she combines Old World techniques and contemporary jewelry-making practices. Hand-selecting stones is the first step in the process. “After selecting a stone, I let its unique characteristics help inspire the design. My pieces are all cast in metal using an ancient technique known as the lost-wax process. After casting, the stones are all hand-set and the pieces are given their finishing touches. I apply modern and antique surface textures and finishes that help give my pieces a distinctive look. I mainly use salt and pepper diamonds which are a fascinating stone choice that many may not be familiar with.” These diamonds, she explains, exhibit a range of colors and opacities. “I’m particularly fond of stones that are icy gray or have opalescent qualities,” she says. “They are tough because they are diamonds, which makes them a fantastic choice for everyday wear.”

Past work restoring antique jewelry offers inspiration for her own work today. “It was a very satisfying job to take gorgeous pieces of wearable history that were seemingly beyond repair and give them new life,” she says. “I have a particular fondness for Art Deco and Victorian motifs, so it was a dream to fully immerse myself in it for a job. When designing a piece of jewelry, the lines, patterns and geometry that I’ve fallen in love with throughout my life seem to just flow into my designs.” Ellis has been creating jewelry for 26 years.

(From left) Branwen ring; Prue ring set; Theodora studs. Stephanie Ellis, artist

A favorite part of her work, she says, is working closely with clients on custom projects, helping to bring their ideas and visions to something tangible that has one-of-a-kind, heirloom qualities or helping breathe new life into a family heirloom by creating a new piece from it.

When Hurricane Helene hit, Ellis’ first-floor studio at Curve Studios was completely flooded, but she was able to save her inventory and most of her equipment. “My studio has always been my happy place, and I have been mourning the loss of the space and the wonderful community of artists that made this space such a vibrant place in which to create,” she says. She was able to secure new studio space in the River Arts District in the Radview Building. “I’m already establishing a new community of artists and friends here, and I’m excited for this new opportunity,” she says. She plans to announce details on Instagram for an official opening party in the new space in the spring.

Stephanie Ellis Jewelry is located at 20 Artful Way, Suite 103, in Asheville’s River Arts District. Beginning in March she will have more regular hours, but for the time being her studio is open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Find her work online at StephanieEllisJewelry.com, and on Facebook and Instagram at stephanieellisjewelry.

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