Nelly's Seven Design Tenets

Writing this piece is a necessity—both as a reflection moment but also one I hope will inspire those who will come after me whether in a creative field or not.

Over the past years, I have grown immensely close to the craft of creation, beauty and teaching. My introduction into the creative field started with jewelry but this has led me to explore architecture, painting, human psychology, desire to belong, business just to name a few things.

Thus, the existence of this piece. Following I will be sharing the experiences I have collected in a list of design tenets I operate my work by. Although not an exhaustive list it covers some of the most important things I consider as a jewelry designer and businesswoman.

I.

Create beautiful and wearable designs; suitable for any special occasion or the everyday. Made with only the finest sourced materials. The jewelry shall always compliment the wearer and energize the soul. A piece with presence and quiet confidence speaks volumes.

II.

Author creative relentless designs that get better with time—no time to waste on passive designs. Efficient well made designs with the perfect amount of sparkle and metal is a timeless design. No two pieces are ever identical. Very early on in my career, I became frustrated with designs that blended in too easily or are easily forgotten. I wanted to find work that inspired me, that I would be excited to wear. One with a unified aesthetic and with refined and unassuming design. So I became a designer myself and I know create pieces with that same goal.

Thus, my continued use of gold granulation and my desire to experiment with new designs. This technique remains largely unexplored and I am grateful to have an ooportunity to contribute my voice to the field.

III.

Believe in creating a more prosperous future through the use and creation of new ideas. By using my voice to add to the fabric of humanity for good I strive to create a more beautiful future.

A lot is possible when you believe it is and I hope future generations will set and work towards ambitious goals and care for their communities. I am a big believer in giving back whenever possible--not just financially but also through mentoring and setting examples of excellence for others to follow and possibly exceed.

IV.

Being open to inspiration from the past and future and different mediums; such as architecture, engineering, animals and flowers. Nothing is too big or small to learn and gain inspiration from—whether that is from a 5,000-year-old granulation piece or cast-iron buildings such as the ones I regularly see in Chelsea and near SOHO in Manhattan. There is always room to learn and explore—one must keep an eye for the things which draw our attention and inspire us.

V.

Inspiring and shareable—our aesthetic expresses the things we value and my hope with my work is to help others express themselves and share their values. Every piece is a vehicle for self-expression, a conversation piece and a bright spot. Whether a pair of snake rings with rubies or a link bracelet with a hammered texture. Every piece is thoughtfully designed. My goal is for anyone who sees my work to immediately recognize it as a design of mine—no matter how delicate or fine the piece is.

Thus, my aesthetic as a creator must be present in every piece I create. For example, I designed a gold snake ring as an omen of good fortune. In the design, I incorporated my fascination for hammered textures and the use of gems such as Ruby and Emerald. I might not be the first to create a snake piece, but I am the first to create one the way I envisioned and with my desired aesthetics and specifications.

VI.

Responsible and sustainable business practices show respect for the environment and those who follow my work. By creating jewelry made from recycled metals and gems which have not been involved in conflict attracts good karma. Every single piece from my designs can be recycled and reused. There is no need to employ toxic chemicals of any kind or unsustainable practices to recover materials since all pieces are created using only gold or silver and natural precious stones which keep or rise in value over time.

VII.

Using only natural materials is one of my favorite ways of honoring nature. By finding and using some of the world’s most beautiful stones, I connect even further with our humanity and creation. Natural materials are proof of the magical world we all share.

Nelly’s Owl Necklace featuring Granulation and a Natural Pink Diamond. Nelly created this piece as a symbol of wisdom and independent thinking