Feature Friday Q&A with Todd Reed
Ok, ok...everyone (and I do mean, everyone) already knows who Todd Reed is and if you've got any taste at all, I am certain that you can find at least one, or one thousand, design(s) to love by the incomparable jeweler! Todd's inspiration, philosophy and distinctive look are hard not to recognize and with a tagline like "Raw Elegance" it is impossible to ignore the sheer substantiality of his pieces.
I first saw Todd's designs on one of my many trips to Arizona and was immediately taken with them! The hardest part of looking at Todd's designs is trying to decide which piece to try on first and the second hardest is taking it off!
So...that being said, I will let you see for yourself why everyone loves Todd Reed in today's Feature Friday Q&A!
5. Where do you find your greatest inspiration?
I first saw Todd's designs on one of my many trips to Arizona and was immediately taken with them! The hardest part of looking at Todd's designs is trying to decide which piece to try on first and the second hardest is taking it off!
So...that being said, I will let you see for yourself why everyone loves Todd Reed in today's Feature Friday Q&A!
1. What prompted your passion for jewelry and jewelry design?
While on a family vacation in Bisbee, Arizona, I saw a working silversmith and it forever changed the way I viewed design and my life. I watched in awe as this man turned sheet metal into body adornment in what seemed to be a very short time.
After designing furniture, clothing, leatherwork, creating sculpture and painting and graduating with honors from culinary school, I became good friends with a well-known diamond collector.
He completely took me under his wing. His love for diamonds was infectious, and he showed me the artistry and miniature sculpture that appeared in the rough stones. I was riveted and wanted to know and see more. I realized that my aesthetic was to create jewelry that would push the boundaries of what precious pieces could be, and to merge the freedom of artistic expression with the allure of fine jewelry.
After designing furniture, clothing, leatherwork, creating sculpture and painting and graduating with honors from culinary school, I became good friends with a well-known diamond collector.
He completely took me under his wing. His love for diamonds was infectious, and he showed me the artistry and miniature sculpture that appeared in the rough stones. I was riveted and wanted to know and see more. I realized that my aesthetic was to create jewelry that would push the boundaries of what precious pieces could be, and to merge the freedom of artistic expression with the allure of fine jewelry.
2. What is your favorite piece or collection?
3. What would your perfect “jewelry day” involve / be like?
I don’t get nearly enough time working at my bench these days – I would love to spend a day creating.
4. Thus far, what would you say is your proudest jewelry moment or memory?
The birth of my daughter. Nothing compares.
5. Where do you find your greatest inspiration?
Interactions with people and moments in time. There is beauty in everything and I’m inspired by finding it.
6. In your personal wardrobe, do you find that you gravitate to one particular jewelry accessory (rings vs. necklace vs. bracelets vs. watches, etc.) more often than others?
I wear the same rough diamond necklace every single day – also a hat and a white belt are some of my favorite accessories. I do wear rings and brooches, but not daily.
I think people should wear what makes them feel good – many of my designs feature mixed metals.
8. Layering seems to be a trend that is here to stay, for now. What are your feelings on the layered look? How do you like layered necklaces with layered bracelets plus layered rings?
Love it!
9. What advice would you give to budding jewelry designers? To budding fine jewelry collectors?
To designers – follow your passion!
To collections – follow your passion! Also, invest in pieces you love, don’t worry about the brand name attached.
To collections – follow your passion! Also, invest in pieces you love, don’t worry about the brand name attached.
Flash Question - Dream trip destination?
Boulder – I would love to spend some time off the radar in my town. Traveling is stressful for me, so my ideal vacation would be staying put.
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Great article (I saw TRJewelry post this over on Twitter)! Nobody does jewelry like the folks over at Todd Reed! He's my FAV!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shel! Yes, Todd Reed is amazing! Without a doubt!!
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