Meet Grace Farrell Sheahan: A multi-faceted designer based in Maryland and California with early childhood memories of sculpting with shells found at sea. Her work as an artist can be described as "...an exploration of contrasts-precious and primitive, rough and refined, dainty and dynamic." Grace views jewelry as a tangible narrative that holds memories and elevates daily life by imparting a spirited bravery and beauty to the wearer.
We first came across her e-shop thanks to our Pinterest inspriation board (view it here). To say it was love at first sight is an understatement. With each piece, oohs and ahhs of the materials, the colors, each brought together as if they were created to be one. The juxtaposition of fabric, stone and metal strikes a chord only Grace knows how to tune. Each piece often one-of-a-kind, taking between two to eight hours to complete and shipped in a hand painted cotton canvas pouch. Beneath her mixing, melding and adorning, Grace focuses on designing in accordance with the LESS philosophy: local, ethical, small and sustainable. Holiday wishlist 2013: take us to Graceland.
What are your favorite mediums to work with?
Textiles, paint, gemstones, and metal.
Where do you feel most connected with nature?
Deep in the woods after it rains or on seaside cliffs watching a fiery sunset slowly meet the horizon.
What inspires you?
Color, street art, ancient artifacts, pottery, plant-life, patterns and textures in nature, and definitely other artists and designers!
Who are some of your favorite designers/artists?
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Kelly Wearstler, Zandra Rhodes, Ernesto Neto, Kiki Smith, Odilon Redon, Marni, Andy Goldsworthy.
City or country?
A 50/50 bit of both. I value a happy balance of both action and solitude—dense pulsating urbanscapes and soothing green spaces that allow inspiration to unfold.
Which colors do you use most?
Turquoise, sea foam, shell pink, soft peach, cobalt, lavender, black, gold, and bronze.
What do you wish you could do without?
Cell phones and other brain draining/being in the moment blocking gadgetry.
What is your favorite design errand or journey?
I love museum trips and picking out my gemstones---they are so mesmerizing to look at and magical to hold.
If you were reborn as an object, what would it be?
Any of Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” statues. I really dig powerful public art.
What does the term "fast-fashion" mean to you?
A quick fix with questionable and often exploitative origins that will probably be full of holes next month.
Favorite design-related words?
Wabi-sabi, asymmetry, and monochromatic.
Which design blog, website, TV show, or magazine would you be lost without?
I love the Wall Street Journal’s style section, Newser, Dezeen, Zenhabits, and The Big Bang Theory for comic relief.
What qualities do you admire in a piece of jewelry?
Craftsmanship with integrity, timelessness, and a piece that feels substantial enough to be armor.
Design rule you like to break?
I always enjoy a good pattern mash-up. Clashing heightens visual enchantment.
Most treasured possession?
My family and friends and the art that they have given me.
