Creating a new collection can begin in many different ways for me. Sometimes it is all about the stones and curating an evocative grouping based on color, characteristics and cut. On other occasions its about a story or an experience ( ie artist residency or current research obsession). Collections can be driven by the techniques I am currently fascinated with using. But most of the time it is a bit of all these. 

For the 2025 SPRING EQUINOX Collection I was inspired by techniques I revisited while at Penland School of Crafts, patterns I see in the world at large (but that I began to distill visually while in Iceland) , and a notebook of curated gemstones. There are no less that 50 different tangents I could go down in an attempt to explain my thoughts when creating, but in the case i'll just share a few, based on technique, experience and stones.

Technique- In the early years of my making I used the hydraulic press to create most of my designs. As artists we evolve and over these last 20+ years I began to use the press less and less. While at an Artist Residency at Penland earlier this year I reconnected to this beloved tool and started to explore and experiment in ways that I am incredibly excited about. You will see several pieces in the collection that I have titled "Framed and Formed", these are each using the hydraulic press in new ways.

Experience- I've had the great privilege to attend several artist residencies in shockingly beautiful places, last year a went to Iceland and was blown away by patterns evocative of connections, layering and orbital relationships. 

Stones- I took a three ring notebook filled with clear card ( the baseball type)holders and  curated a collection of gemstones from my horde . In the end I only used a fraction of what I selected , but seeing them all together helps me begin to form the color story that I hope to tell.

All in all, I designed and made over 100 pieces in the pursuit of a cohesive collection to present to you. I've narrowed it down to just over 70 new works that will go live on March 20 at 4pm ET.

The image is of a portion of the collection in process.

My hands and mind have been busy . The 2025 Spring Equinox Collection is coming together beautifully after an inspirational artist residency at Penland School of Crafts in the early weeks of January. Making these collections is such a joy for me as I explore new ideas and techniques. I am eager to share this one with you on March 20th at 4pm ET. This collection is new, fresh and colorful.

Follow me on IG to see jewelry sneak peeks of this beautiful collection.

Happy Thursday friends! This is what we will be doing this weekend, hope to see some of your lovely faces.

12/12 Visit our "TINY" Studio and then join us at the opening party for Asheville Allstars, an incredible collection of local metalsmiths and jewelers, at MORA. 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 will have all of downtown buzzing with music, carolers, after-hours shopping, a trolley service & holiday cheer!

12/13 Stop by the studio and then join us to celebrate 20 years at MIYA Gallery in Weaverville, owned by one of my dearest and talented friends Jason Janow, I am honored to be one of this galleries artists. 

12/14 Brian will be at the studio on Saturday and you can find Erica ( and many other talented folks) at the SHCG Holidays Sale with select jewelry from 10%-50%off. 

12/15 "Tiny" Open Studio

❤️Erica

So much GRATITUDE!

Together with your support of the "Growth Rings" Project and other generous donations from folks who wanted to support the WNC region we were able to donate just shy of $5000.00 to local relief organizations!!

That feels so amazing❤️ Thank you!

Donations were sent to-
Beloved Asheville
The River Arts District
Always Asheville
East Acupuncture and Wellness
Foundation Studios
Marshal High Studios
CERF+
SHCG ( to staff members who lost their homes)
And individual artists

The incredible folks at MORA Collection had the vision for this curated show early in 2024 and had no idea , at the time, how important it would be for our creative community. I am so proud to be a part of it. 

⭐️ 𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 ⭐️
Local jewelers light up the holiday season at Mora!
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We’re so excited to announce our holiday exhibition celebrating nine amazing jewelers who call Asheville home.
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This is the perfect opportunity to find handmade gifts by Asheville artists for all the jewelry lovers on your list.
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⭐️𝙀𝙭𝙝𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣⭐️
November 26-December 31
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⭐️𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮⭐️
Thursday December 12, 5-9pm
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⭐️𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚⭐️
Friday, December 13, 10-6pm
Saturday, December 14, 10-6pm

I am truly honored to be included in the incredible group of artists exhibiting at ORBIT Space, please read below to learn more about this amazing project. 

Please join us as we officially open with a meet the artists reception on December 7th, from 12-4p! @missionpizzaavl
will provide tasties & libations (🙏🏼)
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What is >Orbit Space< ?
Founded in November 2024, Orbit Space is an 'Emergency Response Gallery’ located at #744, Tanger Outlets Asheville. Instigated by Geoff Smith as a means for Tanger to support the local arts community, Orbit Space was formed by social practice artist Jeannie Regan and photographer and co-founder of REVOLVE contemporary art hub Colby Caldwell. This year REVOLVE celebrates its tenth year in the River Arts District, and looks back with pride at a decade of supporting contemporary artists from Asheville and beyond. Orbit Space maintains REVOLVE’S commitment to accessibility, representation and experimentation and is excited to present artwork from some of Asheville’s art-world luminaries to new audiences. 

100% of the sale price of works goes directly to the artists. Colby and Jeannie thank Tanger for the generosity and support that made this project possible. 
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Artists on view:
@joannechanphotography
@akirasatake
@fishcakenc
@anna.bryant.art
@jessicacwhite
@evankafka
@galen_frost_bernard
@erinecastellan_studio
@mlsawyerart
@ericasbailey
@metalandthread
@laurasellersart
@franklombardo

GROWTH RINGS - A Fundraiser for WNC and an homage to…

The fallen trees

History and landscape lost

The concentric/cyclical and blemished documentation of time

The indelible mark of loss/hardship

The power of community

The sharing of our resources… and our stories

Grace for our new blemishes

Coin and commemoration

Stories to be told

Using my hands again

Each pendant is unique. I am using a technique called fusing to make each pendant, imagine taking the silver to the point just before it melts so that everything "softens" just enough to connect. The visual results are textural and slightly different for each pendant. There is something poignant (for me) about taking the silver to that point just before it changes form completely by melting.

50% of the proceeds of each pendant sold will go to a local relief organization here in WNC. Chains are not included. 

Our TINY Studio is in the Wedge Studios Building in the River Arts District near downtown Asheville, NC. We are in number 2B6 on the second floor in a tiny little space with a great view. 

129 Roberts Street, Asheville

Stop by and see us sometime!

Winter Hours
Th-Sat 11-4
 Sun-Wed by appointment

 Email Erica to schedule a meeting date or make inquires. 

The 2024 Autumn Equinox Collection is almost here, it goes live on Sunday 9/22 at noon ET.  The colors and gems in this new jewelry are so evocative of the beauty of change…Carnelian, citrine, rutilated quartz, sapphire, smoky topaz, pyrite, lapis lazuli, tourmaline, chatoyant gray quartz, agate, spinel and more. I revel in the creative opportunities that these seasonal collections offer me. This time I looked into my "making past" (both far and near) and focused on design elements, techniques and motivations that have inspired me over time.

-Erica Stankwytch Bailey, ESB Jewelry