Maia Leppo
Jewelry Statement
My process is dictated by the limits that I place on myself: the source of inspiration, my process of design and creating, my use of materials, colors and mechanisms. My work is also drawn from the need to create volume out of flatness. By using almost exclusively steel sheet, I aim to manipulate the material to have a dimension it did not previously have. The forms are inspired by botanical elements, abstracted and simplified to their most basic shape. I design much of my work on a 3-D rendering computer program called Rhinoceros, and then I either send my work to be laser-cut, or I cut it myself. I use silicone cord, steel tubing, and wire to create the finished piece of work. I restrict my color choices to the black, white, and the terracotta color of the industrial silicone. I am interested in scale, volume, movement and repetition and how the computer can help me explore these ideas.
The resulting work is an exploration of the intersection between the botanical and the industrial. Having the work be wearable is a primary goal, but I also want to push that idea and play on the balance between overwhelming and attracting the viewer. I do not want the wearer to look at the jewelry and immediately see a specific plant or flower, but to get the feeling that one gets when seeing or being surrounded by botanicals.
Bio:
Maia graduated from Tufts University in 2008 with a degree in Biology and Community Health. She received training in jewelry and metals from various craft schools, including Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Pocosin Arts, Penland School of Crafts and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. She received her Masters of Fine Art from SUNY New Paltz.
Gold and Black Cubes Necklace

Gold and Black Cubes Necklace
Steel, 24k Gold Plated Steel, || 17", 3"x2" pendant || $720
White Flower Lei necklace 19.801

White Flower Lei necklace 19.801
Steel, Silicone || 18 inches || $ 620
Maia leppo Gold Box Necklace

Maia leppo Gold Box Necklace
Steel, 24k Gold Plated Steel, Silicone and Monofilament || 20", 2"x2" pendant || $ 420
Square Necklace

Square Necklace
Steel, 24k Gold Plated Steel || 22" || $ 920
Earrings 20.0105 Egg earrings

Earrings 20.0105 Egg earrings
24k gold plated steel || 1.75 inch long || $ 120
Sm steel round dot earrings post 19.811

Sm steel round dot earrings post 19.811
Steel & silver || $ 100
Steel round drop earrings Lg Post 19.0505

Steel round drop earrings Lg Post 19.0505
Steel || $ 140
gold plate earrings 18.1005

gold plate earrings 18.1005
Steel Gold plate || $ 120
Earrings 20.0103 Black Dot open petal dangles

Earrings 20.0103 Black Dot open petal dangles
24k gold plated & oxidized steel || 2.5 x 1 inch || $ 220
Earrings 20.0102 Folded Circles

Earrings 20.0102 Folded Circles
24k gold plated steel || 1.5 inches long || $ 180
Earrings 20.010 Sm Scalloped hoop gold

Earrings 20.010 Sm Scalloped hoop gold
24k gold plated steel || 1.25 inches long || $ 140
Earrings 20.0108 Lg Scallop Hoop Gold

Earrings 20.0108 Lg Scallop Hoop Gold
24k gold plated steel || 1.5 inches long || $ 160
Necklace 19.802

Necklace 19.802
Steel, Silicone || 20 inches long || $ 450
Oval posts with dots 19.806

Oval posts with dots 19.806
24k gold plated steel and silver || 2 inches long || $ 140
Hoops with holes - posts 19.809

Hoops with holes - posts 19.809
Steel, silver || 1.5 inch diameter
Oval Dots - Posts 19.8061

Oval Dots - Posts 19.8061
Steel, silver || 1 inch wide || $ 140
Necklace 1010

Necklace 1010
Steel, silver || 24 inches long || $ 350
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