STORY-TELLING AT THE BENCH
Why do we turn to art to express ourselves? What makes a grain of metal an object of value? An arrangement of forms and facets may please the eye, but does it capture your heart?
Bringing life to a series of narratives has always been a part of our creative tradition. Today I work with people to turn their sentiments and epic chapters into wearable pieces of art. Going beyond the surface of design and pulling tiny pieces of our lived experience into a project is what seperates a piece of retail jewelry from an treasured heirloom.
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By focusing on my clients and a dedication to the craft, I’ve worked to create a method of collaboration that interweaves the love of visual story-telling with a tradition of fine craftsmanship. My hope is that the pieces we design together will live on through generations.
​​ETHICS , SUSTAINABILITY AND TRADITION
A diamond holds objective brilliance but in our studio environmental ethics and safe mining practices come first in determining it’s value.
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As designers, we hold a loupe to the eyes of the world. We are dedicated to shifting the industry's vision to kindness, inclusion, and a better earth for all of us. Practices like precious metal recycling, tracing the chain of trade, and fostering relationships with our sources across the globe allow us to operate with a philosophy that puts ethics first. We've traveled from India to Africa to ensure that the gemstones in our case are cut with hands that are cared for. In our studio, every piece that is carved on my bench is cast in house to ensure the highest quality and that the most sustainable methods are practice and in place. When working with our fair-trade collaborators across the globe, we begin our partnership by visiting the workshops and meeting the crafts-people that spend their days breathing life into tradition.
As artists we owe everything to those who practice "the old ways" as the industry pushes us to meet the demands of quick turn around. In our house, respect for the tradition of fine craftsmanship supersedes technology that turns an art practice into soulless consumables. We are lovers of hand engraving, hand rendering, and hand-finished rings. But I believe that holding a space where technology and tradition intersect is beautiful balance. Utilizing innovative technology such as 3D rendering and mirror modeling seeks to elevate our traditional techniques. Honor the old and embrace the new!
THE FACETS OF GOLDSMITHING
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After calling the bench home for five years under the watchful eyes of master’s of the trade, I fully immersed myself into the world of fully hand crafted jewelry and opened Paloma Wilder Studio. My dream took off in 2018, complete with a private showroom and beautiful workshop curated with an abundance of hanging plants and greenery. I focused on one-on-one custom clientele and a small collection of hand-whittled jewelry. Since then, I've grown from "me" to"we". In 2019 we were at the forefront of the permanent jewelry boom and safely navigated the service as the world opened back up. In early 2023, my staff of 5 and my little dog, Lucy, moved into the second story of the historic Bertelson Building on the Eastside of Milwaukee. Our first walk-in showroom featured two personalised services beyond our Custom Jewelry: our much loved BOND permanent bracelets opened it's books first, and after we settled in, we kicked off our POKE piercing services with an amazing reception. Today we have a team of 7 creative and caring staff that works to keep the three facets of service running smoothly.