Studio Saturday with Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry

Welcome to Studio Saturday!


Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! 

As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.


This weeks winner is Sweet Willow Designs! You have won ceramic bird pendant from Spirited Earth courtesy of Lori Anderson! Email Lori to claim your prize: lori@lorianderson.net.

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"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing."
~Camille Pisarro 

There is something so magical about holding a bead in your hand created by an artist. 

To know that this bead, this component was lovingly made with the artist's two hands in a slow and deliberate process feels like being let in on a secret world. And I view it as my responsibility to put the bead in a delicate spotlight. Every piece of jewelry I have ever made tells a story, but when an artisan bead is included, that artist becomes part of the story. 

Last summer, I was honored to mount a solo exhibit at the Gallery Q where I show my work. I never thought that I would be able to fill a gallery space, but I did it. When seeking inspiration for the show, I had to look no further than the walls of the gallery. I asked the artists to collaborate with me: provide me with a new piece of art that I could use as the basis for my one-of-a-kind jewelry. But wait! I took those artworks and sent them to bead artists from around the world - many of whom I found right here on Art Bead Scene. I invited them to come play with me by creating beads and components in their unique medium inspired by the art. And inspired they were! I received dozens of beads in colors and shapes and sizes and styles that amazed me.

While pulling the show together, I had an epiphany.

{jewelry created as part of my solo exhibit "Inspired by..." featuring art beads by Kerry Bogert, Barbara Lewis, Sara Sally LeGrand, Cathy Collinson and Jennifer Heynen with painting by local artist Brenda Wenberg}

I could tell that the artists who were working with me to create the beads were really jazzed up by the experience... not only were they energized by the freedom that I gave them to create whatever they wanted, but also the thrill of seeing how I would bridge the divide between the artwork hanging on the wall and their beads. I wanted to experience what the bead artists were experiencing.

So last fall I embarked on a journey to develop my own line of jewelry.

{for my dear friend Kari who is starting new - 'every thing happens for a reason' paired with gunmetal chain, steel links and  humblebeads}

My focus was to create a line of jewelry components that I would sell in spring 2011. My plan included developing a cohesive idea; selecting different mediums to experiment with; conducting market research at shows, through the Gallery Q sales, and through my blog; seeking the feedback of trusted bead artist and designer friends; and culminating in creating jewelry with the components for sale as well as selling them individually.

My goal is to sell 100 of the pieces (either as finished jewelry or as components) by the end of May. And so far, I am off to a good start.

{a sweet little robin on a branch, 'fly high on love' on the back}

So, what is the concept and how did it come about?

If you know me, then you know I love words.

Combining my love of words and jewelry has been a dream of mine. I was inspired to create these pendants and charms, most of which feature a positive message, after reading a book by Patti Digh called "Four Word Self Help." This pithy little book is a great motivator. The idea intrigued me that you could distill the message down to just four words, so that it will manifest in your life. Ms. Digh even suggested writing it down and carrying it with you, and I thought about taking that power mantra one step further: why not wear it?

And 'simple truths' was born.

{some of the original 'simple truths' pendants... some sold, some coming to my Etsy shop soon}

 I like things that look old and worn, have a sense of wit and whimsy, and speak a deeper truth. I wanted to create components that I could use in my own jewelry, but also that others might want to put their own spin on. It would give me great pleasure to see what others would do with these!

Since I have never met an art bead that I didn't like, I wanted to be sure that whatever I created would work well with the art beads in my stash. So far I have paired these pendants with polymer clay, lampwork glass, metal, mixed media and ceramic. I am sure that I will find many more pleasing pairings.

And I have been asked to make all manner of custom pieces... and that is something near to my heart.

{'non m'oubliez pas' - do not forget me - custom order in remembrance of a life cut short by recent tragedy}

Each 'simple truths' pendant or charm is lovingly hand made by me using polymer clay set in bezels then detailed with multiple layers of paint and inks and buffed with Renaissance Wax. I love the mixed media feeling of these and they have a painterly quality that I adore. Some are one sided with just an image or a combination of words and image, some are double-sided so that you can choose which side is facing out. To hold the words close to your heart.

Each is different and no two are alike. I am not a machine, and I don't really have an interest in making dozens of the exact same charms. So I made the decision to hand craft each one individually. While I do carry around a little notebook that has ideas for the words, I am never sure what the image will look like until it is done. Perhaps it isn't the most efficient way of doing things, but that is okay. I like them organic, growing from the work of my two hands, and lovingly painted and sealed, waiting for good homes.

{for my sister-in-law Mary who loves teal and brown, with the message 'life is grand' - can you see the humblebeads in there?}

Because I will make these in small batches, I plan to have updates from time to time. If you are interested in being included in a simple truths pendant update, head on over to my blog and fill out the Treasures Found Nation form in the sidebar. (I hate being spammed and I promise that I will only use that email to communicate with you about pendant updates or special subscriber only deals and discounts.)

{hoots - no words. just cute!}

In honor of my first Studio Saturday, I am giving away a 'simple truth' pendant of winner's choice. The random winner (posted on the next Studio Saturday post) can be from anywhere in the world and will have the choice of any 'simple truth' pendant listed in my Etsy shop (value up to $12)...OR...we will work together and I will create a custom 'simple truth' pendant just for you!

To win, all you need to do is leave a comment below to enter, and I have even provided some questions in case you can't think of anything to say (you don't have to answer them all!). Even 'hello' will do! But if you answer a question you will help me with the market research and I will be eternally grateful ;-).

Tell me what quote or phrase or word you would like to see on future pendants...
Tell me what images or motifs you would like to see...
Tell me what colors you would like to work with...
Tell me whose art beads you would pair with this pendant if you won... lampwork?  polymer?  ceramic?  metal?  etc...

 Enjoy the day!

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com.