Michele Friedman & John Ames

My jewelry is inspired by successful graphic, product and furniture design, as well as architecture. Contemporary European and American design and design movements from the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries have had a profound effect on me, and my design aesthetic. Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Philippe Starck and Vasily Kandinsky and Marimekko are among the architects, designers and artist that influence me. Growing up in Chicago gave me an appreciation of architecture. Attending Parson Schools of Design in New York City exposed me to the exciting world of design. I try to convey my passion for innovative design and architecture through my jewelry.

Since developing my first metal line of jewelry in 1994, I have wanted to incorporate color into my work. The challenge was developing a line of color in an alternative material. I had no desire to set stones or work with resin. Enameling was not an option either. After much trial and error, felted wool became the solution to my color dilemma. It had the rich, saturated color I was looking for as well as a great texture. As I played with the material, I began to realize how much I loved the richness of the felt set against the oxidized sterling.

Essentially, I am making and setting little felt stones and making little tassels in felt in sterling. As I play and try to push the envelope of this new technique, I am trying to incorporate more metalsmithing into the pieces.Although I almost went into fashion, I am a metalsmith now. I am enjoying the challenges and rewards that these two materials present. There is no doubt in my mind that my early days contemplating my career in fashion design at Parsons have met with my actual career as a metalsmith.