Lisa Heller, an Atlanta lawyer turned jewelry designer, calls her work Modern Artifacts. That is because she likes to take moments from history and reinterpret them into modern pieces of jewelry.
Artist: Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Heller’s family moved to Stuart, FL, when she was nine. In Stuart, her dad was mayor and her mother was on the school board.
“It was a great small town environment to grow up in,” said Heller.
Heller graduated with a BA from Ohio Wesleyan and earned her law degree at Tulane University.
She spent 36 years as a litigation attorney in Atlanta, but started making jewelry to engage the creative side of her brain and turn off the analytical process. Along the way, she found a supportive community that encouraged her to turn her hobby into a business.
Company/studio: Lisa Heller Designs, based in Atlanta, started in 2016. Though Heller has a home studio, she often uses the Open Studio at the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia, both for its equipment, the camaraderie and broad knowledge base of its membership.
In the beginning: Both her sons went to Montessori school. In the equivalent of third grade, the students have “business day,” where they make things to sell to the other students.
Heller’s youngest decided he wanted to sell stretchy beaded bracelets, so off to Michaels they went. After making about four bracelets, he was back to Pokemon, but Heller was hooked.
She soon found beading was not enough and started taking classes at Spruill Center for the Arts, the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia (MAGG), the Judy Parady Studio and various lapidary workshops.
Art & materials: Jewelry using sterling silver, high-carat gold, plus precious and semi-precious stones.
“I try to create dimensional pieces that have texture and movement,” said Heller. “While focusing on the play of light.”
What’s popular: Rings ($200 to $700). Earrings ($150 to $550) are a close second.
Favorite tools: A German-made goldsmith hammer. Small and versatile, Heller uses it almost on every piece she makes. “It goes with me everywhere.”
Inspirations:
- Paintings and sketches from different time periods. For example, Heller has done three “Pompeii” rings: one before the eruption, one during and one after. She also created a Catherine de Medici series of earrings.
- Fashion illustration and historical fashion exhibitions.
Special commissions:
- Worked closely with a husband on a pendant design for his wife’s 60th birthday.
- Currently working on a pair of Tanzanite earrings for a woman who purchased the Tanzanite in Tanzania many years ago.
Recent honor: In 2023, invited to join the North Carolina-based Piedmont Craftsmen guild.
Recent project: Heller, along with Mindy Spritz, purchased the Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show from the previous owners and jewelry artists (Debra Lynn Gold and Leigh Griffin).
They are preparing for the next show, March 8-9, at The Carter Center in Atlanta. In addition to the 30+ nationally known contemporary art jewelers, there will be a lecture series and other events for makers and collectors.
What’s new: Building a new website and closing her etsy.com shop.
What’s next:
- Marietta Art in the Park, Marietta, GA. Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
- Piedmont Craftsmen, Winston-Salem, NC. Nov. 23-24.
- Teaching an earrings workshop at MAGG, (https://www.metalartsguildga.org). December (TBA).
Where to buy: Until Heller’s website is live, visit @Lisa.heller.351 on Instagram to inquire about purchases.
Get social:
- Instagram: @lisa.heller.351.
