Our today's featured artist is DaVineJewelry! Let's get to know her better and let yourself be inspired!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

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What is your background?
I grew up in Westport, not too far from the town I live in now, Somerset, Massachusetts. Growing up I was always fascinated by both my mom's and my grandmother's jewelry. I loved playing with it, trying it on, and would spend lots of time just inspecting it. I started making my own jewelry creations, and as I grew up that love of adornment stuck with me.

It was while I was at the Rhode Island School of Design that I realized I could turn this passion into more than just a hobby. I earned my BFA in Jewelry & Metalsmithing there, and went on to work as a designer for almost 6 years in the costume/fashion jewelry industry.

What hobbies or interests do you have?
When I'm not working my “day job”, or in my studio making jewelry, I like to crochet, read, garden, cook and bake, and take care of my four kitties and all of my fish. I love going for walks in the woods or on the shore here to find new items for my collection of natural found objects (a.k.a. my inspiration collection). I go to museums as much as possible, and I always try to visit a local museum whenever I take a trip.

Is there a specific design style that you really like?
Ever since I stumbled upon Art Nouveau in high school I've been in love with that genre. I love the patterns, lines, imagery, and of course the heavy influence of the natural world that is part of much of the Art Nouveau style of art and jewelry.

What drives you?
I've found that I'm happiest when I'm creating- I feel more like myself somehow. Creativity has always played an important role in my life, I can't imagine my life without it.

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What are you passionate about?
I'm quite passionate is the preservation of and respect for nature and the environment. The house I grew up in was surrounded by trees, on the edge of a small forest and near a swamp and a pond. I spent so much of my time as a kid playing out there in the woods, just sitting and enjoying it's beauty and power, and trying to learn as much as I could about all of the things that grew and lived there. I hope that many of my pieces will help people see how beautiful even the little things in nature are that we take for granted and just walk past without a second thought in our day to day lives..

Why did you choose your career / niche / topic / market?
I came very close to majoring in sculpture, I've always loved working in 3D. After taking some classes I started to realize that everything I was doing was really small and had more of a decorative feel to it. I took an elective metalsmithing class and learned that I could combine my joy in making jewelry and adornment with my love of creating art- making tiny little pieces of art/sculptures that people could wear.

What are your goals?
My goal is to make my jewelry business my career- quit my day job. I'd like to have a studio space that includes a storefront/gallery area as well as enough room for me to have classes and crafty workshops for kids and adults.

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Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope to be living in Burlington Vermont and carving out my niche there in 5 years time. Hopefully by that point my jewelry business will be much more lucrative and I'll be able to spend the majority of my time and energy on that and reaching my ultimate goal.
Tell us about your shop:
How do you describe what you do and why are you doing what you do?
I make pretty things that help people see not only the beauty in nature but also help them to accentuate their own natural beauty and feel good while wearing it.

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Describe your ideal customer & the world they inhabit.
I think my ideal customer is really someone like myself- I like and would wear everything that I make. My work is definitely geared towards females, in their 20s, 30s, 40s + . They are crafty, artsy ladies who appreciate natural forms, shapes, patterns, and materials, and enjoy wearing things that set them apart a little from the mainstream. People who enjoy taking the time to appreciate all of the little details in the natural world around us.



What 5 words best describes your aesthetic

  • natural
  • organic
  • texture
  • unique
  • pretty

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What’s your story & why should I buy from you?
After college I spent about 6 years working in the the costume/fashion jewelry industry as a designer. It was fun for awhile- I learned about researching fashion, I got to go shopping for work to see what was out there, and I got to attend trend seminars. It felt so good to be able to go to a mall and stop in many of the stores there and see my designs hanging up on the jewelry display for sale.

After some time I began to feel like my heart wasn't really in what I was making at work, and I realized that designing and making jewelry all day at my job used up all of the creative energy I had. I started to miss making what I wanted to make and designing things that were meaningful to me. I took a big risk and got a job in a completely different industry- one that used my brain in a new way and left me feeling energized and ready to work in my studio on my own jewelry in my free time and pursue my dreams.

My design industry background taught me a lot about creating jewelry pieces that were not only little works of art but also easily wearable. Now I get to make what I love and try to share my passion with the world!

look at me here!

What event or need causes them to search for what you offer? Which problem do you solve?
I've created pieces for all different needs and requests- from an engagement ring for a close friend, custom jewelry for brides who want something a little different, fancy unique pieces that help a person stand out from the crowd, a sentimental necklace to commemorate a birth, to pieces that became staples in an everyday wardrobe.