We're very excited to welcome Jess Guerrieri to the latest edition of our 'Meet the Jeweller' series. Jess creates the most exquisite nature-inspired enamel jewellery, and was kind enough to chat to us about her journey and process.
You describe jewellery as a way to tell stories and hold meaning close. How do you weave storytelling into your designs?
For me, storytelling lives in the details. Each piece starts with a drawing, which I then etch into silver or bring to life with hand-painted enamel. Every tiny brushstroke, every choice of symbol, like moths, florals, or small animals from nature, carries meaning. I try to capture the small moments in nature that feel meaningful to me, so that each piece carries a sense of connection when it’s worn.
What first drew you to metalsmithing during your time at the University of the Arts?
I actually went to UArts intending to be a ceramics major. I was sure that was going to be my field, but I never felt completely at home there, even though I loved the craft. When it came time to choose an elective, I decided to try jewelry. The moment I put the saw to metal and lit a torch to melt solder, I was hooked. My heart was on fire and I never looked back.
Enamel is such a challenging and intricate medium. What excites you most about working with it?
What excites me most is the transformation. When I place enamel in the kiln it changes in ways that still surprise me after years of doing it. The colors shift, the textures come alive, and it feels a bit like watching magic happen. Since I paint every detail by hand, no two pieces ever come out the same. Each one has its own character.
Can you walk us through the process of hand painting enamel, and how you achieve such detail?
I start by cutting and shaping the silver or copper form from scratch, then applying the enamel in layers. Each layer is fired in the kiln before I add the next. When it comes to painting, I use very fine brushes and an almost meditative patience, building up tiny strokes and colors until the image takes on depth. It is a slow process, but that is what allows me to capture the life and vibrancy of a wing, a flower, or a fern.
Nature plays a strong role in your work. What particular flowers, insects, or animals inspire you most?
I am endlessly inspired by moths, especially the luna moth which has this ethereal, dreamlike presence. Flowers also play a big part in my work. I love watching them shift through the seasons and translating that into enamel. Birds often find their way into my designs as well. They are small, fleeting wonders in the natural world, and I love capturing that in jewelry.
Do you have a favourite piece you have created, or one that carries a special story or memory?
I do not have a single favorite piece, but the ones that bring the most joy to my heart are the commissions made to honor a loved one or celebrate a milestone like a new baby, a birthday, or a graduation. These pieces may not directly say what they are about, but if you sit down with the person wearing them they will share the meaning. It might be how much their grandmother loved violets, or that their last trip with their parents was to see the sandhill crane migration, or that the little bee on a graduation necklace was because a mother always called her daughter Bee. Those are the pieces that truly fill me up.
What is the most challenging part of turning a sketch into a finished enameled piece?
The biggest challenge is knowing that what I sketch and what emerges from the kiln may not match perfectly. Enamel has a mind of its own. I have learned to lean into that unpredictability and let the process shape the outcome, but it requires flexibility and trust in the medium.
How do you balance precision and patience in such a meticulous process?
I think of it less as balancing and more as surrendering. If I rush, the piece simply will not turn out. Over time I have learned to love the slowness, to enjoy those long, quiet stretches at my bench where I am layering color or carving a detail. It is where the work becomes meditative.
What role does life on Florida’s Gulf Coast play in shaping your creative vision?
The Gulf Coast is rich with inspiration, from the lush greenery to the moths and butterflies that flutter through my garden. The storms and shifting skies also influence my work. Living here, close to both beauty and wildness, has taught me to pay attention to fleeting moments in nature and honor them in my jewelry.
As a maker of heirloom jewellery, how do you approach designing pieces that will be cherished across generations?
I focus on creating pieces that feel timeless rather than trendy. Hand painting each design ensures no two are alike, and that individuality is part of what makes them heirlooms. I like to think that when someone passes a piece down, it carries not only my story but their story too.
What tool or material in your studio could you never work without?
My torch, hands down. When my oxygen concentrator broke down last year, I realized just how hard it was to be without it. It really is the heart of my studio. I could not do what I do without it.
Has being a mother and raising a family influenced the way you see jewellery and storytelling?
Absolutely. My kids remind me to notice the small details in the world, the way a moth rests on a window or how a flower bends toward the sun. That attentiveness finds its way into my jewelry. Being a mother also makes me more aware of legacy, of creating pieces that hold meaning and can be carried forward.
What advice would you give to other jewellers interested in exploring enamelling?
Be patient and embrace the unpredictability. Enameling requires trial and error, and you will learn as much from the mistakes as from the successes. Start simple, get to know how your kiln and materials behave, and build up your confidence with each firing.
What has been your proudest moment since starting Jess Jewelry?
A proud moment for me was the first time I realized my jewelry had found a real community of collectors who connected with it. Knowing that the pieces I make by hand in my studio are now part of other peoples stories, and that I can support my family doing what I love, is something I will never take for granted.
Looking ahead, what is next for you, are there new directions, collections, or techniques you are excited to explore?
I’ve been exploring ways to bring more of my drawings into my jewelry by etching them into silver and combining them with enamel and gemstones. It feels like another layer of storytelling and a foundation for my work moving forward. I see myself continuing to develop this alongside new collections that draw on florals and animals, always weaving together texture, line, and color in ways that spark joy for me and connection for others.
Visit Jess's website here to view her latest and previous collections of work, and follow her on social media here to stay up to date with all her latest pieces.
0 comments