About

Biographical Information

Thea Nicole Izzi has been designing and making her own jewelry since 1994. A native of Boston, MA. and a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (BFA1991), Thea made her way to the Bay Area in 1993 to establish her retail jewelry business and continues to make her living there as a production and one of a kind jewelry artist.

She has participated in many group shows including "Tiaras will be Worn", A 2001 SNAG conference exhibit and “California Gold” an exhibition at the Sacramento Art Museum in the spring of 2003. Some of her awards include an Honorable Mention for the 2004 online exhibition entitled "Integrity of The Minimal", sponsored by PostPicasso.com and a 2004 Niche Award in the Silver category for her design "Fan Necklace."

For the academic year 1998-99 Thea was honored with a J. William Fulbright grant to live in Florence, Italy and further her studies in traditional jewelry making techniques as well as assist in teaching at Fuji Studios, an independent jewelry school. At present, she is assisting in teaching jewelry at The Crucible, a metal arts collective in Oakland, CA.

Thea's current focus is to continue creating innovative and wearable designs in metal, that compliment the body with grace and bridge the gap between craft and art.

Artist's Statement

My work explores the convergence of geometric and organic shapes translated to ornament in metal. The forms are created by hollowed, cut and fabricated 22k gold over sterling silver “bi-metal” discs.

The luminous interior, caused by the gold reflecting off of itself, eludes to a light source contained in that space though none exists.

My process is largely unconscious and often motivated by playful experimentation, symmetry, repetition of patterns and illusions created by contrast fuel my inspiration for design.

My intent is to create a wearable sculpture that compliments the body and inspires the holder to interpret meaning for themselves.