I'm a jewelry designer/maker and store owner.
What inspires you on a daily basis?
I'm inspired by the challenge of making jewelry that's totally wearable, day in and day out, both physically and aesthetically. It has to be simple but interesting, comfortable, flattering, and durable. My hammer and anvil, my other timeworn tools, and the process of making propel me. When I'm seeking new aesthetic inspiration, I look to ancient jewelry and ancient tools - I love the simplicity of the forms, the textures, and the crudeness/directness of construction techniques.
Describe your shop aesthetic.
Take us through your "typical" day at Ore.
I come in and hit the ground running, spending the first couple hours with Mechelle (our store manager and custom specialist) discussing developments on client projects. I try to get a coffee and oatmeal in there, and then check in with our production manager Bess to see how things are going in the studio. Then it's emails: corresponding with stylists, press, wholesale accounts, retail clients, designers at Ore, etc. After a working lunch, I probably spend an hour arranging displays in the shop, swapping out props and moving the jewelry to different cases to keep it all fresh. Being a retailer, the whole day is peppered with meeting clients as they stop in. Later in the afternoon, I get to hit the studio and either work on sketching designs or making jewelry! The shop closes, and I stick around the studio for a bit, wrapping up the evening having dinner/drinks with jewelry colleagues (aka best friends) and "talking shop".
Tell us about your three core philosophies as a jewelry artist and why they are important to you.
What are the challenges you face in the profession of being a jewelry designer?
Describe your shop aesthetic.
I'm inspired to continuously create a relaxed, beautiful, eclectic environment that's intriguing and comfortable for my staff and my clients alike. Ore is unfussy, in an "I woke up like this" kind of way. The decor of the shop, and of course the jewelry designs, are extensions of my personal aesthetic, and both the jewelry and the shop have a distinct unpretentious-yet-special feel to them. I find that clients drawn to my work are sophisticated, grounded women: my jewelry and shop are
no-nonsense, and authentic, and so is my clientele.
no-nonsense, and authentic, and so is my clientele.
Take us through your "typical" day at Ore.
I come in and hit the ground running, spending the first couple hours with Mechelle (our store manager and custom specialist) discussing developments on client projects. I try to get a coffee and oatmeal in there, and then check in with our production manager Bess to see how things are going in the studio. Then it's emails: corresponding with stylists, press, wholesale accounts, retail clients, designers at Ore, etc. After a working lunch, I probably spend an hour arranging displays in the shop, swapping out props and moving the jewelry to different cases to keep it all fresh. Being a retailer, the whole day is peppered with meeting clients as they stop in. Later in the afternoon, I get to hit the studio and either work on sketching designs or making jewelry! The shop closes, and I stick around the studio for a bit, wrapping up the evening having dinner/drinks with jewelry colleagues (aka best friends) and "talking shop".
I believe in using sustainable materials and practices: I use completely recycled metals, and reclaimed stones whenever possible -- my favorite are the old mine cuts! It's little known that 20 tons of earth have to be moved to mine enough metal for one ring band, and I'd rather not contribute to that. I believe in being authentic - honesty in your designs, motivations, and brand (don't try to be anything other than yourself, and be straight about it). And having grown a truly incredible little team at SHJ in the past year, I feel so strongly that my staff should be happy, healthy, comfortable, and challenged at work - which I facilitate with flexibility and open communication.
What are the challenges you face in the profession of being a jewelry designer?
For me in particular, being in my first year with a retail store and an established wholesale line, it's challenging balancing the two, and dividing my time accordingly. It's all part of this "leap-frog" between my designer brain and my business brain. Both are creative for me and I enjoy both, but they're never equally attended to - they seem to take turns hogging attention, while the other gets a bit neglected.
In terms of jewelry style, what are you best known for?
In terms of jewelry style, what are you best known for?
Simplicity, and the balance between rough and refined. Right now I'm getting a huge response to my black and gold jewelry (oxidized silver with fused 18k gold), and developing that direction.
Do you have one jewelry staple that you wear every day?
I never take off my late grandma's petite diamond Belcher ring - it lives on my right hand middle finger. It reminds me of her every day, and it's how I continue to carry her with me. I am also hooked on my 18k coil hoops right now! I'll tend to wear a pair of earrings daily for months, and then rotate to a new design when I need a change.
Do you have one jewelry staple that you wear every day?
I never take off my late grandma's petite diamond Belcher ring - it lives on my right hand middle finger. It reminds me of her every day, and it's how I continue to carry her with me. I am also hooked on my 18k coil hoops right now! I'll tend to wear a pair of earrings daily for months, and then rotate to a new design when I need a change.
At the moment it's: "Do epic shit." Yep, really. Simple and crass, but it keeps me motivated.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Take risks. (Thank you for this gem, Melle Finelli!) The bigger and cheaper the risks, the better. And subsequently, if you're going to fail, fail fast. Learn, move forward and grow. Don't let yourself get caught up in something that isn't working.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Take risks. (Thank you for this gem, Melle Finelli!) The bigger and cheaper the risks, the better. And subsequently, if you're going to fail, fail fast. Learn, move forward and grow. Don't let yourself get caught up in something that isn't working.
Let's turn the tables, if you could offer one piece of advice to women jewelry professionals, what would it be?
Think big and act small. Move just a step at a time towards lofty goals. It doesn't have to all happen at once, and conversely growth is completely necessary to avoid feeling stagnant.
What do you hope to gain/have gained from your membership with The Women’s Jewelry Association?
My best girlfriends are jewelers. I love talking shop. I want to hear everyone else's jewelry stories - their successes and their challenges - and compare notes. I feel inspired talking to industry comrades about their experiences, thoughts, and goals, and love learning from these interactions.
Ore Jewelry by Sophie Hughes
80 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116
social media
Boston Magazine
Best Of Boston 2014
Ore : Everyday Jewelry
Improper Bostonian Magazine
Best Jewelry Designer 2014