Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Abrahamson.
Heidi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Jewelry and art have always been a part of my life. My parents were antique dealers on the side of their main professions. I attended Indiana University as a Fine Art major.
I wanted to be a painter but failed miserably, I didn’t like it and architecture wasn’t an option as there was no program and I was awful at math. I left Indiana for Seattle.
I worked in Fine Jewelry and Hermes at Frederick and Nelson. I heard that Magnin was looking for a Visual Merchandiser, I went for an interview and was hired on the spot.
There I dressed all the mannequins, dressed the windows, and did displays for cosmetics. Soon I was also styling fashion shows and was an “in-house model”. I moved on, got married, and had our first child. Then, freelance work allowed me to spend more time as a mother. I worked for Burberry and some smaller shops in Seattle. We moved back to Indiana to be close to family.
Once again, I attended Indiana University, this time in Interior design. Again, I didn’t find it fulfilling and didn’t finish. Indiana wasn’t so great, we moved to Arizona. In 1995, we started buying and collecting Mid Century Modern furniture and objects d’art and opened a shop.
Of course, I started selling jewelry that I’d found and collected. One day, I looked at my jewelry and thought “Why can I do this?” I took a class for $50 at the now defunct Mining Museum and finally found my passion, metal smithing there.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had to have spinal surgery before we left Indiana. Visual Merchandising had taken a toll on my cervical spine.
Working for myself, I could work at my own pace, although silversmithing isn’t the smartest thing to do as it is strenuous on my neck, like I said, I can work at my own pace.
I’m generally ADD, but being so passionate about what I do, I can hyper-focus and get things done. I sometimes have to set the timer to remind myself to stop, stretch, and relax.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At first, my work was more Scandinavian-inspired. I started collecting modern works of Niels Eric From and various designers from Georg Jensen. When I was in high school. Then, I discovered the American Modernists, Ed Levin, Margaret de Patta, and more.
Gemstones and pearls dominated my work, but I wanted to concentrate more on just metal, as I’ve always loved sculpture. It was a rough transition, people wanted more traditional jewelry. I wanted sculpture, small sculpture, and finally, it took off. The hardest part about being an artist is finding your work’s style to be recognized as yours.
In 2019, I was a part of New York City Jewelry Week. My exhibit was Memphis Movement inspired and built miniature versions of Ettore Sottsass and Peter Shire furniture as stands for my rings. I met Peter Shire at the Tucson Museum of Modern Art, and he approved!
It was an absolute highlight of my career to meet Peter Shire! The next year, I was part of NYCJW, but because of the pandemic, it was virtual. My exhibit was inspired by Brutalist Architecture. I hate making repeats, I push myself to try new things.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to be true to yourself and to develop your voice. I’ve had a few students I enjoy teaching, but only one-on-one and I try to instill this in them.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.HeidiAbrahamson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidiabrahamsonjewelry/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Heidi-Abrahamson-Modern-Jewelry/100057914688453/
Image Credits
Carl Schultz and Sebastian Kleihs
