hilary hachey

In her architecturally inspired jewelry, Maryland metalsmith Hilary Hachey uses clean lines and striking designs.

The artist: Born outside of Philadelphia, Hachey became interested in jewelry making when her high school art teacher nominated her for a summer scholarship program for high schoolers at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia.

She learned jewelry making and metalsmithing at Maryland Institute College of Art. A full-time artist since 1999, Hachey lives and works in Baltimore.

The art & materials: Hand-fabricated jewelry in sterling silver, 18k gold, and alternative materials, including fabric, thread, rubber and brass mesh. Her structured designs often look like the scaffolding, fences, railings, pipes and pilings that she sees in the world around her.

The process: Begins with sheet, wire, and tubing which Hachey saws, solders, forges and forms to build her works.

What’s popular: The tension earring in several finishes and sizes ($50 to $1,350).

Other favorites: The Down on the Shore collection, which includes earrings, necklaces and cuff links with beachy names like Boardwalk, Dune Fence and Gull.

“I love making this group of work based on my childhood growing up on a barrier island,” said Hachey. “The pieces unite my love of architecture with the natural environment of the area.”

Fun or special commissions: Recently, a customer asked her to create a bracelet to remind him of the boundaries between work and home life which he has struggled with since the pandemic.

He walks to work and crosses a small stream to get there.

The bracelet represents the water and that boundary between work and home. When he crosses the stream he switches the wrist he is wearing the bracelet on as a reminder of where his focus should be.

Recent awards/honors: