Meet the Makers: Literary Jewel Maker
In this Meet the Makers blog series, we will feature an artist that, quite simply, makes something. Drawing inspiration from custom works handcrafted in various media, we travel beyond the pieces by diving into the minds of the creative makers themselves.
Today, we feature our interview with Jeremy May, the creative designer of literary jewel art. Jeremy captures the beauty of paper through a unique laminating process to create beautiful works of art to wear as jewelry. Perhaps a perfect keepsake for your wedding vows, this is one intricate way to hold onto those precious moments!
GPI Design: What (3) words best describe your work?
Jeremy May: Layered – Unique – Re-appropriated
GPI: What compels you to create with this particular medium?
May: Books are saturated with emotion and passion. I wanted to give new life to the second hand books that are about to be re-cycled into another utilitarian perishable product. Paper is a non precious material with endless possibilities.
GPI: What is your biggest constraint in the creative process?
May: Water is the kryptonite of paper but my creative process is mainly restricted by the hours of the day.
GPI: What would your 5 year old former self say about your work now? And what do you hope your future 90 year old self will say about your current work?
May: My former self would probably not believe his luck for being able to work in this studio on the paper jewelry. My future self would be forever criticizing, challenging and probably saying: “this piece could have been different/better”.
GPI: What other maker would you most like to collaborate with?
May: Artists are notorious loners – but I do appreciate the creative minds around me and I would like to set up collaborative projects.
GPI: What do you think the future of creation/creativity holds (for you, and the artistic world as a whole)?
May: I am currently showing my work in several galleries and museums and I am working towards 2 exhibitions in Eleni Marneri Galerie (Athens, Greece) and The Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Massachusetts. At the same time I am very excited to be creating a series of larger pieces. As paper is truly a material of unlimited possibilities I always want to challenge my perception of form with this material.
GPI: What does your work space look like right now? Send us a selfie of you in your creative arena!
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Many thanks to Jeremy May for the insight into his craft. Stay tuned to our next Meet the Makers interview coming up in two weeks! The interviews will publish every other Tuesday throughout the remainder of the year, focusing on a wide variety of makers, which has us truly redefining what it means to create.
View this maker’s work: Little Fly