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JA New York: What inspires your designs?

Ruta Reifen: Each piece of wearable art I create, is a symbol of splendor and romance that resonates with nature’s harmony and beauty. Growing up on the Mediterranean beach, I’m inspired by an appreciation for organic forms of the sea. I make each jewel as a gift from the depths of the ocean, with a modern interpretation. I study carol-like form culmination in nature as well as follow fashion trend, photography, and most importantly, art.

JA New York: Walk us through your design process…

RR: Everyday I start with a completely clean and organized bench (this means I clean at the end of each day). I design through craft, making and experimenting with formal compositions leads to my final designs. Stones are pivotal in the design process, I love to create a piece around a stone or group of stones. The color, luster or shape of a stone often inspires the silhouette around its setting. Employing a self-developed surface treatment technique, to create a contemporary look with a fluid, romantic silhouette and feel.

JA New York: What was the best part about exhibiting in the New Designer Gallery?

RR: I’ve been a studio jewelry artist for ten years, an educator and curator. New Designer Gallery was my first break into FINE JEWELRY; different set of tools, rules and pools. It was an incredibly pleasant and successful experience. NDG is a stand out in the JA New York Show, it gave me the opportunity to speak directly to leading retailers and press easily. Additionally, working with Cindy Edelstein and the NDG designers (now my dear friends) was a treat!

JA New York: If a song played every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

RR: Obvi- Think, Aretha Fanklin.