I create sculptural jewelry that is balanced, bold and luminous using traditional fabrication and forming techniques. I combine mixed precious metals, high karat fused metals, minerals and gems with an emphasis on contrast, form and function. Designing happens at the bench and is largely fueled by instinct, intuition and play. My inspiration is drawn from natural geometry, modern sculpture and iconic patterns and design from both contemporary and ancient art. I explore the play between positive and negative, shadow and light and masculine and feminine while prioritizing comfort and wearability.


JURY VERSION

I create sculptural jewelry that is balanced, bold and luminous using traditional fabrication and forming techniques. Mixed precious metals, high karat fused metals, minerals and gems are combined with an emphasis on contrast, form and function.



My work is hand formed and fabricated precious mixed metals combined with select gems using traditional goldsmithing and metalsmithing skills. Some elements are cast precious metals and all pieces are finished by hand. My collections are primarily limited edition with some complimentary one of a kind designs and are all made in my studio in an artist collective near Providence, RI

What makes you passionate about the medium and materials you work with?
I love the alchemical process of working with metal. It goes through such a dramatic transformation from its pure elemental form to a finished piece of jewelry! Metal must be carefully manipulated with both patience and strength and allows few shortcuts in its process. However, if something goes wrong there are several ways an object made in precious metals can be fixed or repurposed. Combining metals with gems is a challenging but magical act and never fails to bring me great joy.

What is something unique or unexpected about you or your work?
The fused Sterling Silver & 22k Gold "Bimetal" that my collections are known for is a material that is often used as an accent. I use it in my work for the construction of the piece itself. The opposing silver and gold surfaces offer a wealth of opportunity for creative design. When the gold surface is placed on the "inside" of a 3-dimensional, curved surface it creates a luminous glow of gold that radiates from the interior. This effect is the signature look of my work.

The Winter issue of American Craft focuses on moments of wonder in the making process and the experience of delight that craft brings. How does wonder play a role in your practice?
Wonder is the magic ingredient in all creative arts and is what keeps me making new things. It's what meets me on the other side of burn out and says let's keep going! It is a wonder how versatile and transformative precious metal can be. There is a sense of pure elation that comes when I have finished a new piece that glows with beauty in its simplicity. My ideas sometimes come from funny mistakes or from playing with existing parts or multiples of one part. The best designs are allowed to emerge or evolve over time and often have been sitting in front of me on my bench for awhile before I can see them.

Is there a person in your life who inspires your work or who has helped shape your artistic practice?
My father, Theodore A. Izzi, had a great eye for design and was a natural artist as well as businessman. He saw me in my essence as an artist from an early age and encouraged me to pursue both an art education as well as an entrepreneurial career in crafts, once it was clear that jewelry making was a passion. I am deeply grateful for his guidance (even for telling me all the things I didn't want to hear!) and for truly helping me launch in life by teaching me perseverance, patience, sales skills and not to be so serious. "Chin up, T" he would say, if I was looking defeated in my booth. He came with me to many of the shows I did in my early years in the industry and is still lovingly remembered by my craft show peers and even some buyers.