Local jewelry artist Amy Pieroni is herself a true treasure. This vibrant mother of one is an environmentalist and proponent of minimizing our individual footprint. Many of her original creations are made from repurposed items. Which as you will find, adds to their beauty and elegant charm. This interview will give you a closer look into this local artist and leave you interested for more.
How did your jewelry journey begin? I have always been interested in personal adornment. When I was six, I asked Santa for a diamond ring. I didn’t get a diamond but I got a little flower ring that I loved to death. That was until I lost it jumping on a trampoline. For many years, I collected antique jewelry and haunted eBay for unique pieces. I was spending a lot of time and money on it when I had the realization that people make jewelry and I could be one of those people. I started looking for someone to teach me and found Dana Ruth at Atlanta Artworx. After my first class, I was hooked. I knew it would be something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What is your motivation? My motivation is the process and the materials. I find that the creative process is the part that I enjoy most. I never make the same thing twice. I usually start with a stone or found object that I play with until it tells me what to do. It’s very hands on and intuitive. I rarely start with a drawing unless I have a commission with specific parameters.
Who is your average customer? Art jewelry collectors. My average customer is someone who likes one-of-a-kind artwork. Most of my jewelry is very sculptural. I put a lot of details into the back, insides and other places that are not seen when worn. The majority of my patrons made their decisions after viewing my jewelry in person. It’s a very tactile experience. My pieces are much easier to appreciate in person.
What is the price range of your jewelry pieces? I try to keep costs as low as possible. I have a basic hourly rate plus material costs. I do it because I love it not because I want a beach house in the Bahamas. Since I use many recycled metals, repurposed and found objects, it tends to keep the price down. I also mine and cut many of my own stones. I do not use diamonds unless they are antique or recycled. I don’t want anybody dying so I can make something sparkly. Most of my prices are in the $100-$500 range. What do you enjoy about making jewelry? I enjoy creating something beautiful that will last forever. I enjoy seeing faces light up when someone finds that perfect piece of jewelry.
What is your most unique piece? Recently, my most unique piece would be the earrings I made using my son’s teeth. He is nine and happened to have two canines loose at the same time. We waited weeks for them to come out and sometime in there I thought “Hey, that’s a matching pair”. He sold them to me for five bucks each and I set them with a pair of big juicy emeralds. I’d never sell them but would be happy to re-create them for another Mom. It’s the ultimate in recycling. My friends frequently bring me interesting items they find to add to my “collection of possibilities.” A few of my friends who are plumbers supply me with all the leftover copper I need. I love to melt down un-repairable jewelry and create something new with it. I will try anything when it comes to materials: wood, metal, plastic, stone or glass.
Do you consider yourself a trendsetter? No. I do believe my ideas and designs are unique. I use traditional materials such as bone and shell, in non-traditional ways. These are traditions that go back thousands of years. I try to keep up with current trends only because I’m curious and love to learn new techniques. 
Where do you see your art in the next 5 years? I’ve just begun working in gold so I think I will be doing much more with that in the future.What is your distinctive style? Bold. Jewelry is intensely personal and tends to stay in families for generations. It’s an investment. I tend to lean more toward the sculptural: large scale, dramatic jewelry. My style is definitely not for the faint of heart. I can do dainty and precise when working on commissioned pieces.
Where did you attend college? I studied art at the School of the At Institute of Chicago, Santa Fe Institute for Fine Arts and hold a degree in Art History and Studio Arts from the University of North Alabama.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself Amy. Do you have any closing thoughts for our readers? Support your local artists. Instead of buying museum prints of famous dead artists, get out there and buy local. For about the same amount you would spend on a reproduction, you can have a one–of-a-kind artwork from someone in you neighborhood. Communities are much more vibrant and interesting with artists in them. If they are not appreciated and supported, they will leave. –Buy Local!
Examples of my work can be seen at www.amypieroni.com and amypieronidesign/facebook.
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Comments
I have a few rings that Amy made for me and they are amazing!! I alwyas get comments about them and people ask me where I got them and of they can get one. Y'all should check out her web site and order something! You wont regret it, I PROMISE!!!
I own several pieces of Amys outstanding jewelry, and couldnt be more tickled! The bold and appealing nature of the jewelry is always a conversation starter, and I love retelling the stories of where the stones came from. Being an artist myself I have full appreciation of Amys intuition and imagination when she is forging her creations. I think anyone would adore wearing Amys delightful jewelry.
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