Raleigh’s Sarah Tector treats jewelry as small-scale sculpture. Her pieces catch the eye when on the body. Or not.
The company/studio: S. Tector Metals is in Raleigh, where Tector works out of her home studio. A metalsmith for 28 years, she has focused solidly on her business for the last 11 years.
The artist: Born in Bellefonte, PA, Tector grew up in Cary, NC. She earned a BFA from East Carolina University. Over the years, Tector has taken various workshops, including clay, glass blowing and metal, at Penland School of Craft in Penland, NC.
At first: Working with her hands has always been a natural fit and source of fulfillment for Tector. While deciding what to study, she was fortunate to have parents who said to pick a field that would make her happy.
Why metal: Metalsmithing satisfied many parts of her creative brain: designing and making in 3D, using mixed materials, and having fantastic tools.
The goods & materials: Mainly clean, geometric and architecturally influenced pieces of jewelry, produced from sterling silver, gold, cast bronze, powder coating and other mixed materials.
What’s popular: Linear earrings in sterling silver and 14k gold-filled wire ($30 to $98) and powder-coated earrings ($28 to $85).
Other favorites: Custom rings, and most recently, custom lighting ($195 to $900).
Influences:
- For her less-is-more design philosophy: Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, and Matisse.
- Art movements, such as mid-century modern, Bauhaus, and art deco.
“I’ve gained an appreciation in how much can be expressed in geometric forms and minimalist lines,” said Tector. “Even when using different metals or other materials.”
Fun requests: Made quite a few wedding cake toppers, including a robot couple, old pickup truck and an owl couple.
Big break: Studio assistant for one year to the late Mary Ann Scherr, a legendary jewelry artist. “Definitely a career highlight,” Tector said.
Claim to fame: Custom rings and her less traditional style.
Awards & honors:
- Pentaculum, 2015. Invitational Residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
- Winter Residency, 2018 to 2019. Juried Residency at Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC.
What’s new: Non-wearable pieces, such as custom door pulls, pendant lighting, globe lights, handbag hardware and free-standing sculptures.
Where to buy: https://stectormetals.com
Get social at:
- Facebook: S-Tector Metals
- Instagram: stectormetals
