Age: 28
Currently Residing: East Village, NYC
Currently Listening to: Of Montreal, Dolly Parton, The Cribs
I discovered Erica Weiner's jewelry adorning my friend's neck one day. It was a necklace which had a plane and then not far from the plane dangled a bird. I thought, "How clever." With the aide of the internet, I looked up Miss Weiner and discovered her wares on her site. What I love about Erica's jewelry is that it has a vintage look to it but is stylishly modern. They are undiscovered little treasures, artifacts if you will, which I would gladly own.Although largely self taught, Erica's education in the visual arts came from her stint at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. Her jewelry is quite affordable but definitely has an individualistic designer quality to it. Her pieces remind me of going through my grandmother's jewelry box as a kid and discovering all those vintage trinkets. If you are a lady looking for some unique adornments I suggest you check out Erica's wares.
You see
m to grab inspiration from the places you've been and people you worked with....how do you decide what goes into a piece?
I look for antiques in multiples. I want to be abl
e to make a lot of copies of an antique piece...this really dictates what Ican make! I don't have the time or patience to make one-off or custom pieces. The things I find dictate what I produce. This means that I'm always traveling, sourcing weird stuff in weird places. I just spent 4 hours in a really dusty barn in rural Maine combing through an old dresser full of Victorian calling cards to find just the right ones for a design I'm developing.
Do you work alone or have people you collaborate with?
I work with my good friend Lindsay Salmon, who keeps this whole business running smoothly and is a source of inspiration. She also tells me honestly when something I've designed is truly heinous.
What type of textiles do you use in your jewelry making and which do you prefer to
work with?
Chain is tactile, I think. I like painted chain. I want to incorporate this raw silkworm fiber I found into some future design. I use some ribbon, but mostly right now I'm into surface treatments on metal and old photos, which are kind of like textiles. I also use some hair and objects in some of my lockets.
How long does it take you to make your pieces?
After they're developed, not long per piece. I have a little mini-assembly line I can set up in my studio.
How would you describe your art?
Wearable.
Do you do custom pieces?
Only for myself, friends, and family.
You find some of your pieces in the strangest places...which was the strangest you found and where?
I found the railroad nails for my "Railroad Rings" in a crazy old farm equipment store, really a ramshackle barn, called "Liberty Tool" in Maine. There were old plows everywhere.
Who would you love seeing adorned with your jewelry?
Aileen Quinn, who played "Annie" in the movie. Goldie Hawn, 
Janeane Garofalo, Paul Rudd, Sigourney Weaver.
Are you into trends in the jewelry realm? If so, what do you see hot for the coming season?
I like some stuff I've seen like what Louis Vuitton is doing with crystals, fur, leather, and feathers.
What's your favorite body part and why?
I've always been into teeth. Obsessed with them, especially if they're a little messed-up and crooked. On my boyfriend, freckle-y shoulders.
You can obtain more information on Erica's jewelry by visiting her site...HERE! If you would like a more intimate look at Erica's jewelry, her whole line can be found in Williamsburg's vintage shop, Malin Landaeus at 157 N. 6 Street off of Bedford Avenue - Brooklyn, NY.
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