Featured Artist: Heather Guidero

December 07, 2020

Featured Artist: Heather Guidero-Pistachios

Heather Guidero has been a staff favorite at Pistachios for years and has been featured with our gallery at SOFA Chicago multiple times. Read our full interview with Heather Guidero below! 

 

 

Q: Where did you study Jewelry/Metalsmithing and when?

A: I formally studied jewelry/metalsmithing at the Rhode Island School of Design, and received my BFA in 2002.

 

Q: What inspires your work?

A: My main inspiration comes from all things modernist: textile patterns, architecture, ceramics, and furniture to name a few areas of interest. I also find inspiration on my walks through urban areas – how the light interacts with structures, revealing new patterns and planes. Tied in with all of this is an ever increasing desire for strength and protection – I find myself making larger pieces that cover more of the body, particularly over the past two years. I'm enjoying the challenge of designing larger pieces that are durable and comfortable to wear.

 

Q: Do you have a favorite piece you've made?

A: There are a few, but this one comes to mind right away.  This necklace is one of a kind and completely hand fabricated.  It uses one of my favorite color palettes: black, white, and gold featuring faceted Brazilian tourmalated quartz, bright sterling silver with our signature carved texture, and 18k yellow gold.  It's the result of weeks of work: from choosing the stones to figuring out the layout and to the actual fabrication.  It has a presence and weight when worn, yet is comforting and comfortable - fancy without being fussy.
 

 

Q: What made you want to start making jewelry?

A: I discovered jewelry by accident as a teenager. For my 17th birthday, I could choose one class to take from the Indianapolis Art Center. I was going to take a photography course to document my portfolio for college applications, but at the last minute I saw the description for the Intro to Jewelry class. I was intrigued, and decided to go with that instead...by the end of the class, I knew I would be making jewelry in some capacity for the rest of my life.

 

Q: What is your favorite process? Why that one over others?

A: I enjoy metal model making and stone setting. I love the process of building a structure in metal, and seeing where my thoughts go - many times a new iteration or direction is revealed. I enjoy stone setting as it's the final step in many pieces, and the full effect of the piece comes into focus once the stones are in place.

 

Q: Who is your favorite artist/who do you wear?

A: This is one of my favorite rings, made by Sarah Pulvertaft.  I had the privilege of meeting her in person a few years ago in NYC, and fell in love with this ring.  I appreciate the clean geometric lines combined with the center row of cone elements that playfully shift and shake.  It's a thoughtfully created piece that doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's one of the few rings I wear while working at the bench. 
 

 

Q: Is there an artist on your personal wishlist that you hope to own one day?

 
A: Hard to narrow it down, but I would love to have pieces by Helen Friesacher and Dominique Labordery.  

Helen Friesacher

Dominique Labordery

 

Q: What is something you would want someone to know about your work that they might not know?

A: We are an all-female team here at Heather Guidero Jewelry.

 

Q: When you're not making jewelry, what are you doing?

A: One of my favorite beaches that I escape to as often as I can
  

 

 

To shop Heather Guidero's collection at Pistachios Click Here!





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