Self-taught jeweler Julie Cohn describes her work as primitive modern, juxtaposing rough with refined.
The company: Julie Cohn Design, based in Dallas, started in 2010. It is the name of Cohn’s jewelry collection but also encompasses collaborative projects with other artists, architects and designers.
The artist: Cohn grew up in Tulsa and was educated as a painter and printmaker at the Kansas City Art Institute and Southern Methodist University. She then studied bookbinding and box-making, a skill that helped her start her first career and business: Two Women Boxing.
She later worked as a freelance designer for rugs, textiles, wall coverings and drapery hardware. In 2008, she started making jewelry for friends and found yet another career.
The goods & materials: Jewelry, often with organic shapes, made primarily with bronze, semi-precious stones and clay.
What’s popular: The clay cameo collection, including the Bird In Hand earrings ($495). The earrings are a modern interpretation of a classic intaglio earring.
Other favorites: The Iron Leaf pendant ($395), Cherry Blossom earrings ($195) and Secret Garden earrings ($495).
Her design process: Unconventional. It begins by working directly with materials rather than sketching a preconceived idea.
Inspiration: Nature, art, primitive forms and old-world casting techniques.
Fun request: Making a ring with a pearl found in an oyster during a couple’s anniversary dinner.
Big break: Six years ago, Stanley Korshak, a luxury store in uptown Dallas, started to carry her work in its fine jewelry department.
Award: A runner-up in the style and design category in Garden & Gun magazine’s “Made in the South Awards” in 2014.
Claim to fame:
- Designed several cherry blossom pieces for the National Gallery of Art’s gift shop to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC.
- Has some of her jewelry sold in San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Cooper Hewitt (NYC) museum shops.
- Designed a one-of-a-kind collection of jewelry to coincide with the Harry Bertoia retrospective at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas.
Where to buy: juliecohndesign.com
What’s next: Clay monogram pendants.
Get social at: juliecohndesign on Instagram and pinterest. Also Julie Cohn Design on facebook.
