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We are delighted to welcome designer Jill Herlands of MetalurJ to our Spring show! The JA New York show will be this artist’s first ever jewelry show, and her unique, edgy designs are sure to bring a rock n’ roll vibe to our newly designated Design District! Read below for a little more insight into this designer’s process, her sources of inspiration, and her (totally understandable!) addiction to boots.
JA New York: What inspires your designs?
Jill Herlands: Before I became a metalsmith, I was a music agent, and worked for the largest agency in the country … the William Morris Agency. I was surrounded by the biggest names in the business, and their style and look inspired me then, and continues to inspire me and my work. The edgy, imperfect and bold style is what pulls me in. I also live and work in NYC, and the landscape itself, including the many construction sites in the area, inspires many of my designs. For example, a recent design is called “Cables” and it was inspired by the coil wrapped cables at a nearby construction site.
JA New York: Walk us through your design process.
JH: First thing I do is take out my metal, 99% of my work is Sterling silver and I love looking at it and touching it. Many times, I don’t have an exact design in mind and will start playing with the metal until a design unveils itself to me. Other times, I am inspired by something specific, such as a metal fence, and I’ll gather the elements needed, and start working the metal. If a stone is involved, (I work with one lapidary who knows my specific taste) I will look at the stone, and get into what I call my “creative zone” and feel what the setting should be based on the stone’s appearance, texture and color. I get immense pleasure by experimenting with patina formulas and taking traditional metalwork techniques and tweaking them to find a new and exciting way to create!
JA New York: If you weren’t a jewelry designer, what would you be?
JH: I would still be in the music industry. It was a fantastic environment, and my job was finding new talent. My direction was to literally go out at night and listen to great music!
JA New York: What’s your favorite gemstone/metal to work with?
JH: Lately, I’ve been on a faceted gemstone kick, and I adore Sapphire. I also love imperfect rough and natural stones, such as Citron, Amethyst and Druzy.
JA New York: What’s your biggest (non-jewelry) weakness?
JH: Boots! I have a closet filled with black boots, and they all have heels…I am not a flat shoe woman! But lately I find myself saying that I would rather buy a big tool or machine than buy boots (which is saying a lot!)
JA New York: What is on your desk now?
JH: I am in the midst of designing a wide band ring for the JA Show, inspired by a wall of bricks.