The tiny landscapes Andrea Haffner creates in her dreamy one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces invite us to notice and appreciate the smaller things around us. A great reminder as we venture into the holiday season and one of the reasons we knew her work would be perfect for our Jewelry Invitational + Small Works Show.
We adore these beautifully crafted necklaces and earrings which take wild elements and suspend them in hand-dyed resin. This allows the wearer to take a bit of the outside world with them wherever they go.
Andrea’s work is currently available both in store and online through the end of the year.
How would you describe what you make?
My work invites people to embrace the small: to observe and appreciate the abundant natural forms that grow in the world around us and might otherwise be overlooked. Each jewelry piece is made using natural materials which are composed and suspended in hand dyed resins within recycled sterling silver cases. Each piece is unique.
What drew you to this medium and style of work?
I have always had a fascination with small forms in the natural world, as well as with small containers. My work allows me to frame and share what I find to be remarkable, with each piece starting as a sort of blank canvas. I feel that the combination of clean, structured bezels with wild components is reflective of parts of me as a person.
Can you tell us about your favorite piece in the current collection?
I love the light blue rectangular piece. It is made from tulip petals which dried thinner than paper when I pressed them. I love the organic lines and textures of the petals, and I also love how they evoke landscape in this layered composition.
Can you describe your favorite part of the process in your work?
I love discovering and dissecting new forms out in the natural world, seeing what things are made of, and how forms repeat themselves in nature (spirals, branching patterns, etc). I love many other parts of my process too!
Has there been a big “oops” moment you’ve had while creating? What was the outcome?
My process of creating my compositions involves a lot of precision, and every once in a while I miss the mark. It can force me to do some quick rethinking of what to make, but sometimes I just need to forgive the mistake and move on!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Not sure…. But I like this:
“Sometimes we just need to do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding.”
Sharon Salzburg
When you are in the studio, what are you listening to?
Lately I’ve been listening to Spanish guitar music, NPR, podcasts on psychology.
What is your most treasured handmade possession?
I am surrounded by meaningful handmade things in my life, but I think my most treasured is an intaglio and chine colle print made by artist Tanja Softic. It evokes memories, dreams, human experience and nature all in one ethereal piece.
