Up and Coming Jewelry Designer Kathleen Brughelli

Friday, February 18, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

Middletown’s Kathy Brughelli studied at the Honolulu Academy of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design and most recently she studied with Tom McCarthy at The Arts Center in St. Petersburg, FL. She holds a Graduate Diamond degree from GIA and her critically acclaimed work, “Tears of Joy,” was recently featured in the Florida Craftsmen exhibition, “Neck-Lust and the Chocolatier.” Brughelli’s line, Eamon Ellery features a mix of metal, pearls, and semi precious stones.

What was your inspiration for launching the line?

Eamon Ellery line is a collection based on things I find around me, the things that I love. I am fascinated with the night sky, the way the stars twinkle and shimmer and the patterns of the constellations. It’s an endless source of inspiration for me, and I also find that things in nature, organic shapes, are very appealing. I draw on the simple things.

What’s the range of materials you work with?

My first love would have to be playing with metal, make that metal and fire. I enjoy pushing boundaries and exploring what I can get it to do. You can do some pretty cool things with a torch some silver and some attitude. Generally speaking, I work primarily with sterling and fine silver but lately, I have been incorporating some higher karat gold into my work. I love the look of gold and silver together. I’m a big fan of mixing metals when I wear jewelry.

Second, I adore pearls and while I have yet to meet a gemstone I didn’t like, if you ever want to find me at a gem show, I am making a beeline for the pearls, it’s just what I am drawn to. They have an ethereal quality to them. That said, I love gemstones, glass beads, pretty much anything that sparkles works for me.

How do you describe your pieces?

My pieces are clean. They’re fresh—contemporary with classical elements. They tend to be elegant without being fussy. I also allow the pieces to become what want to become. It’s not unusual for me to start off thinking I am going to make a pair of earrings and end up with a ring instead.

How has your adventure been in jewelry making, and how do you like using emerging artisan-focused e-commerce sites like Esty?

My adventure has been fabulous. I didn’t choose jewelry and metalsmithing as much as it chose me. Finding my medium was like learning to fly. It’s exhilarating. It brings me peace, joy and tremendous satisfaction. I have also found support through my studio mates at The Bead House Studio in Warren,we have an incredible talent pool. As for Etsy, I love it. It allows me to maintain an online presence and show my work as well as connects me with a wildly diverse group of artists and artisans. I have learned a lot through Etsy as well as grown my business. It’s the place to be!

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