We’re in the midst of a handmade renaissance, and jewelry making is at the forefront. Yvonne Markowitz, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, cites a blooming in all major cities. “I’ve seen more and more jewelers and jewelry dealers at the shows recently,” she says, but notes that the market is especially strong here in Boston. Programs at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Rhode Island School of Design all train and cultivate young artists. “Artists like to be in communities that support artists,” says Markowitz, who gives students and instructors tours of the MFA’s jewelry gallery nearly every semester. “These schools have a lot to do with young people choosing to live and work here,” she says. The Society of Arts and Crafts, which organizes the juried Craftboston show and runs a store and a mentorship program, feeds the local culture, too, as do studio events, the SoWa Open Market, and even the development of live/work lofts. Here’s just a sampling of the pieces Boston’s emerging talents are creating.
Concave ring
Crustacean series concave ring in sterling-silver with yellow topaz by Monique Rancourt-
$400 at the Society of Arts and Crafts
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175 Newbury Street, Boston
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617-266-1810
Infused Studs
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“Infused Studs” oxidized sterling-silver earrings by Leah Meleski
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$150 at MassArt Made
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625 Huntington Avenue, Boston
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617-879-7407
Apple charm necklace
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Apple charm necklace in gold plate over sterling silver by Hannah Blount
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$106 at Topaz
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11 Dunster Street, Cambridge
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617-492-3700
Gold Stems
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“Gold Stems” hammered-gold fill on sterling-silver chain by Ripegoods
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$96 at 13 Forest Gallery
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167A Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington
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781-641-3333
Feather bracelet
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Feather bracelet in brushed onyx, sterling silver, and pave diamonds by Lee Essex Doyle
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$500; to purchase, e-mail Leeessexdoyle@gmail.com
Braque
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“Braque” oxidized/brushed sterling-silver earrings by Dev Bennett,
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$230 at Alchemy 9.2.5
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48 Leonard Street, Belmont
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617-484-9250
Jim
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“Jim” oblong brass and snakeskin bracelet with waxed cotton by Beatrice Kim,
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$225 at Good
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133 Charles Street, Boston
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617-722-9200
May
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“May” stackable rings in 18-karat gold by Becca Straus,
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$870 each at Michele Mercaldo
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276 Shawmut Avenue, Boston
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617-350-7909
Bullet
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“Bullet” earrings in sterling silver by Sophie Hughes,
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$160 at Fire Opal
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320 Harvard Street, Brookline
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617-739-9066