Over the past twenty-five years, Jan Kirsh established herself as one of the most talented landscape designers and artists on the Eastern Shore. Since the design of “outdoor rooms” is a three-dimensional exercise, Jan began thinking about designing sculpture to enhance the gardens she designed for her clients. She began experimenting in different media and soon study models appeared in her studio that became full scale sculpture in her garden-trios of tall, slender asparagus, a reclining glistening red pepper sweating in the sun and a sensuous eggplant in her form-fitting aubergine gown.
These study models became larger than life 3-D sculptures of fruits and vegetables that soon appeared in her clients’ private collections in the US and around the world. My first article about Jan’s colorful, whimsical and thoroughly delightful sculpture, ““Green Giants: The Fruit & Vegetable Sculptures of Jan Kirsh”, was posted on February 23, 2018 and I have been a fan ever since.
Not one to rest on her considerable laurels, Jan’s next idea was to transform her fruit and vegetable designs into jewelry and her first creation was a pendant in a voluptuous pear shape. That design was followed by a fig cut in half. As an architect, it reminded me of my favorite design tool, a section cut through a building. Jan began wearing her new fig pendant and it became quite a conversation piece. Soon she was receiving orders and her new jewelry line grew to include a chile pepper, avocado half and soon earrings were added to her collection.
Jan’s debut collection of 3-D printed jewelry with its 21st century style is the result of seven years of research and development. The elegant, detailed appearance of the jewelry is due to cutting-edge 3D printing techniques, augmented by fine Swarovski crystals. The jewelry line includes pendants and earrings that can be worn individually or as a matching set.
“Each piece has been meticulously designed to represent my sculpture on a smaller scale, with innovative 3D printing technology,” explains Kirsh, on the process of how they are made. “Comprised of metal alloy with a ‘high energy tumbled’ finish, this is an exciting way to design and make jewelry that simply has never existed before.” She adds, “the new line appeals to all ages, anyone who loves fashion, art and the beauty of Mother Nature.”
Now available online, these unique pieces are the perfect gift for Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10th). The jewelry line is expected to be available in various retail establishments later this year.
To browse the collection of jewelry and sculpture, learn more about the artist, and browse jewelry-inspired recipes, visit store.jankirshstudio.com.
Jennifer Martella has pursued her dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. Her award winning work has ranged from revitalization projects to a collaboration with the Maya Lin Studio for the Children’s Defense Fund’s corporate retreat in her home state of Tennessee.
