Unique, individual, one of a kind. Yours.
Bespoke jewelry, thoughtfully and intentionally designed and made, just for you.
With over 20 years of experience designing jewelry for the individual, and a passion for
connecting with others to help them discover their perfect fit, it's an honor for me to guide you
to discover the jewelry design that speaks your story, your voice, your path.
With over 20 years of experience designing jewelry for the individual, and a passion for
connecting with others to help them discover their perfect fit, it's an honor for me to guide you
to discover the jewelry design that speaks your story, your voice, your path.
It's about you.
Where you are in life.
Where you are headed.
Where you've been.
You're embarking on something new, like marriage or a career change; you're honoring something that's past; or maybe you're simply ready to breathe new life into the unworn jewelry that's taking up space in your drawer. Together, we will discover your unique, one of a kind design. Always with an eye on where you are today, and how this piece can represent you in the present moment, we will work together to arrive at the design that feels just right for you.
If you are ready to create a landmark piece for this time in your life, wanting to capture the essence of you in beautiful, organic, hand made, intentional, wearable form, I would be honored to help you. It's a fun process, always unexpected, as we discover together your perfect fit.
Ready to talk possibilities? Let's get started.
"Martha listened to my words, she took notes and she turned those words, those wants - into something beautiful. It is more beautiful than I could have imagined, more special than I would have known to ask for. It is me, made into jewelry..."
-T. Smith VA
A bit of my (jewelry) love story
Some of my favorite times spent as a kid were sitting on my mom's bed with her, poring over the contents of her jewelry box. I listened to the stories about her jewelry, from family heirlooms to fun purchases for herself. I loved the softness found in the forms - the roundness of a ring or the curve of an ear hook - juxtaposed against the solid and tough feel of the precious metals and stones. Discovering the stampings on the hidden parts of the jewelry, I felt I was privy to a secret world, where "925" and "14k" and other mysterious symbols all had importance. I came to covet the combination of these precious materials, their artistic forms, and the stories that fill the pieces with meaning. Many years later, while studying art in college, I learned that I could be a designer and maker of these special objects, utilizing precious metals and stones, serving as a conduit, pouring meaning into them for others.
And so, bespoke
While still a college student, studying Metal & Jewelry, I received my first jewelry commission: to design and make a set of wedding bands for a couple who had no idea what they wanted. And so began the process of, together, discovering their rings, and for myself, discovering a passion. Through questions and conversation, I learned what the couple liked in jewelry, what they knew they didn't want, how they met, what their plans were and more. I loved connecting with them in this way, getting beneath the surface, hearing their stories, getting a feel for them. Finally, equipped with all I'd learned about the couple, from the facts to the feelings, I let my intuition lead the way as I designed two rings that spoke not just a story, but their story.
For over 20 years, since that first experience designing bespoke jewelry, it's been my complete honor to help keep secrets of pending proposals, honor loved ones who have passed, celebrate life's events from bat mitzvahs to wedding anniversaries and lots in between. I often transform my clients' materials, like old wedding rings or single earrings, into pieces of jewelry that represent them today.
So many stories to tell
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The commission process
Platinum, palladium, all karats and colors of gold, sterling silver, even niobium can be used to create your bespoke jewelry. Stones find their place in pieces sometimes too, whether conflict-free sourced for you, or from your own collection. Diamonds, colorful precious gems, even broken pieces of glass and crystal, all have significance in these pieces. Every element of the design is intentional. The final piece speaks of the wearer in a very personal way.
It all starts with a good brainstorming session. I very happily work with clients near and far, using Skype, email, photographs, and videos to assist our conversation. If you're near Charlottesville, Virginia, come for a studio visit. We'll use this initial meeting time to throw everything out on the table. I'll ask a lot of questions, and answer all of yours. We can discuss materials you may have, intentions for this piece, meaning, symbolism, feel, look, colors, textures, sizing and more.
"You exquisitely and expertly captured the essence of everything I was
hoping to achieve during the process of repurposing our rings."
-Tracey Armstrong, TX
Your piece is waiting to be born
Let's talk possibilities for translating who you are, and what you are going through,
into your own bespoke piece of jewelry.
Please, contact me.
I can't wait to get started
with you.
into your own bespoke piece of jewelry.
Please, contact me.
I can't wait to get started
with you.
copyright 2016 Martha Keith