Texas native Andi Terry makes sculptural jewelry and other pieces that are tied to themes in nature, including flowers and leaves. Even slugs.
Artist: Born in Boston, Terry grew up in Victoria, TX. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio with a BA degree in international relations, but was drawn to the arts.
Terry started taking jewelry making at Austin Community College, where she obtained several certificates. She continued to build her skills by taking courses in filigree, chasing and repousse, enameling and fold forming.
Company/studio: Andi Terry has been based in Liberty Hill, TX, for the past 18 years. In addition to her jewelry work, she teaches metalsmithing classes at Multiplicity Studios in Katy, TX.
Art & materials: Nature-themed jewelry from fine silver, sterling silver and gold.
What’s popular: Earrings $50 (for tiny posts) to $400 to $500 for more elaborate earrings that include filigree.
Other favorites: Rings ($125 to $550) and necklaces ($150 to $375). The most expensive necklace she has made was $2,000.
It started with a slug: One jewelry collection started with the story of one slug (earrings/pendant/bracelet with one sculpted slug) looking for love and finding it (more pieces including two slugs). It culminated in a family of slugs (several pieces with three slugs).
Creating the collection was enjoyable, said Terry. But perhaps most entertaining was explaining the narrative to customers whose reactions were varied, but entertaining.
Favorite tools:
- A pitch bowl and hammer for sculpting the metal.
- Scissors, tweezers and a rolling mill for making pieces out of filigree.
Special request: A set of filigree earrings and necklace for a cousin’s wedding.
“It was the first time I had done jewelry for a wedding, and found it especially rewarding to be part of her special day,” said Terry.
Recent projects:
- Sculptural filigree shell with two jewelry pieces nestled inside.
- Necklace of nasturtium leaves.
- Bracelet of sweet pea flowers.
All pieces were hand-sculpted in fine and sterling silver.
Recent awards/honors:
- Finalist in the American Jewelry Design Council 2023 Joe Hess Design Awards with her sculptural filigree piece, “Creature Comforts”.
- Accepted into the Grit to Gold Exhibition for the 2020 Society of North American Goldsmiths.
- Finalist in the silver category in the 2019 Saul Bell Award, a prestigious international jewelry competition, with her filigree necklace “An Elegant Disintegration”.
What’s new: Larger sculptural filigree pieces, including a paper wasp nest made of filigree.
Where to buy:
- anditerry.com
- Metal Museum, Memphis (metalmuseum.org).
Get social: Instagram@Anditerrymetalsmith (previously forgedfromnature)
