About this project

UPDATE:

TO SEE IMAGES OF THE REWARDS, PLEASE CLICK HERE:

In case you'd like to see more about my jewelry-making philosophy, the following is an outtake that I love that didn't make the video:

So! For the past few years I've been designing and hand-crafting unique and limited run jewelry, using precious and semi-precious materials. Now I'm ready to take a slightly different direction--a collection of pieces that I can make available to a wider audience at a lower cost.

My inspiration for this model comes from the emerging trend toward the high fashion but less expensive jewelry that many designers are embracing. With the understanding that jewelry can be of lasting quality without being made from expensive materials, I plan to employ Lucite, resin, sustainable wood, brass, and sterling silver, as well as some semi-precious stones, to develop a collection that will range from around $200 to $1200. As a designer whose work is always a mixture of traditional forms and modern materials, this first collection will push limits while remaining wearable and beautiful. Each piece will be released in a limited run. 

I'm a strong believer in the benefits of keeping it local, so all of my jewelry will be made, assembled, and finished in my studio. But I will employ production processes, such as printing from 3D CAD files, casting, milling, and lathing of materials, for a faster and more efficient result at a lower labor cost. And by limiting the number of pieces produced, I will continue to keep a focus on high standards of quality by personally inspecting each item before it goes out. 

I plan to devote this month to finalizing the designs for the line in Rhino, my CAD program. The three months following this fundraising push will be devoted exclusively to jewelry-making. All in all, I need to have 20 finished prototypes at the end of two months, with the capacity to produce them in quantity on short notice. At this point, I will have them photographed and put them on my website, where they will be offered for sale within the month. And I will also take the whole line to retailers that specialize in modern jewelry, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Henri Bendel, with the hope that they will order items for their collections. 

As a participant helping to fund this project, your money will go toward the following:

Studio Rental for Three Months: $2,100

Used Tools: (including a polishing machine, drill press, belt sander, and vacuum table): $4,000

Non-Metal Materials: (wood, resin, Lucite, semi-precious stones): $1,000

CNC Mill-Work: $1000

Casting: $1000

Fees and Rewards: $1700 to $1900 

I'm going to keep everyone updated regularly as the project evolves--please follow me on Twitter, MERAV_NYC and on my blog, Adventures With Kickstarter, where I am documenting the process for others to use as a case study. I'll also be posting renderings of some of the designs for the collection. Here's the first one, a bracelet in resin and brass:

Thank you for your support!