We have the privilege of getting to walk alongside some inspiring, growing, and dynamic creatives as we navigate the small biz world as creators ourselves. In our blog column, In Good Co., we want to feature some of these artists and share a little of the story behind their craft, how they create their work, and what makes them tick as a artist.
As featured in some of our past holiday posts, we are thrilled to finally interview Olivia Terrell, jewelry maker and creative, who places intricate art and care in every handmade piece. Her simple products are eye-catching, bold, yet dainty. We truly admire her amazing creativity, joy for life, and depth. We feel like Olivia was one of the first artists developing the minimal look that is at the peak of design and style today. What makes her unique is her desire to merge past influences with her present ideas and designs. Check out her past lookbooks before you continue reading! We can’t wait for you all to get to know Olivia and her more about her story, craft, and passions!
What is your story?
As far back as I can remember, I was always drawn to anything that required working with my hands. Whether it was handmade gifts for family, arranging flowers (weeds) in the backyard, or obsessing over friendship bracelets, I was in love with making things for other people to enjoy. I was and still am interested in the source of objects; where a particular object comes from, how it’s made, who made it, etc. I think once i figured out that I could form something that could then be worn or serve a utilitarian purpose, I was hooked on the idea. I learned traditional metalsmithing techniques and received my B.F.A. from the University of Georgia in Jewelry and Metals—Yes, you can study cool things like that in college!
What is your craft?
I am a jewelry designer and maker. I create every piece from beginning sketch to final product, which I love because, for me, the process is just as important as the end result. I work mostly in brass, gold and silver and create pieces that toe the line between fashion and art. Jewelry is such a sentimental art form that often carries a story—like wedding rings or your grandmother’s old locket—so I hope to create pieces that are simple in form, but tiny statements or conversation starters.
Where do you find inspiration?
I think about inspiration in two ways: there’s the active and passive ways seeking of inspiration. By passive, I mean that I find a lot of inspiration just in my daily life walking around New York City, taking in all the sights, smells, sounds, etc. Architecture is a big one for me. I love buildings and industrial materials. But I think that is just a product of having lived a city lifestyle for the last several years. I wasn’t particularly drawn to urban landscapes until experiencing them, and now I can’t seem to separate the forms I am creating from my everyday life. When actively seeking inspiration, I set aside times to allow myself to be a sponge. During these times I usually stay away from things like social media as I find they can cloud my creativity, initially. Don’t get me wrong, Instagram and Google are wonderful tools, but I think it’s a healthy practice to not solely rely on the internet as a source of inspiration. I visit museums, libraries, parks, and more. I people-watch. I sketch. I take a lot of photos. I eat good food. I do things that give me energy.
Favorite EOH paper?
I have received a lot of Emily’s invitations and Christmas cards in the mail over the years—it’s hard to pick one! She designed my bridesmaids’ lunch invitation (many moons ago), and I always loved it! I have also been swooning over some of the more recent wedding invitation suites done with watercolor. They are so beautiful!
Thank you so much Olivia for sharing your story with us! We are so thankful to partner with small business owners who share like-minded big dreams and love paying attention to the tiniest of details. To learn more & see additional photos of her collections, visit her site here! OH, and check out their sweet little casa on Design*Sponge – they were featured last year when she and her husband, Andrew, lived in Spain!! Great taste in every area of life!
