we’re so excited to announce year 4 of The nolo Collective jewelry Residency Program!
Introducing this year’s recipient
Saudia Jones!!!
Saudia Jones is the talented metalsmith and painter behind the brand Flolis. Flolis was created in memory of Dr. Fletcher Robinson and Lolis Elie. Saudia’s interest in fine jewelry spawned from an interest in imperialistic history. The question of where resources come from and who has control over them has always appealed to her. The objective of Flolis is to employ and teach people of color the trade of goldsmithing and create an avenue into the fine jewelry industry that is fueled by resources from native homelands.
The collection is inspired by black contemporary culture as well as symbols and icons from black history to highlight the significance of looking back to move forward. Her work reflects her experience growing up between New Orleans in the American South (deep-cut grills), the Virgin Islands (name-plates and hook bracelets) and the midwest (boogz).
“My jewelry practice pays homage to the different trends and pieces I would see growing up in different black spaces.” - SJ
website: www.flolisjewels.com / saudiajones.com
instagram: @flolisjewels / @saudiasjones
Program Mission Statement
Our goal is to create a tangible opportunity for an NYC-based BIPOC jeweler to get their brand off the ground by providing them with the crucial space, tools, & connections necessary without the burden of financial restrictions.
The program provides:
Rent for 1 year in our Collective Jewelry Studio and full access to all of the shared tools and equipment!
~ Includes: Oxy- acetylene torches, large smithing torch, industrial standing ARBE polisher, rolling mill, high-speed rotary tumbler, pin finishers, ultrasonic, steamer, dapping tools & mandrels, GRS Benchmate System, & professional photo light box
Full Bench Setup, side table, & additional storage
~ Includes standard jewelers bench, flexshaft, benchtop organizer, & lamp
$1,000 in credit from sponsors A & C Gem Trading Corp
A Professional photoshoot & set number of professionally retouched images
Vendor Referrals
Mentorship from professional jewelers and business owners in the industry
& of course the support of the entire creative community at NoLo!
Photos from sessions 2 (Rahiel Desta) & 1 (Sadé Hooks) shot by Janelle Jones
Qualifications to Apply:
*PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
Must be 25 or older
Must be a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) jeweler currently living in New York City or close enough to commute
Must have a primarily metals-based practice
Must have at least 2 years experience working with basic studio equipment and be completely self-sufficient in the space (finalist will be asked to do a simple bench test to demonstrate their level of comfort operating certain equipment)
Must have an existing brand or company that you’ve been creating under/running for at least 2 years
Must be able to share space respectfully and help maintain a clean and organized studio
Applications for the next session will open late summer 2024
about us
The NoLo Jewelry studio is a sunny 6-bench fine metalworking studio comprised of and run by working jewelers :)
NoLo Studios Brooklyn, a collective made up of both shared and private studio spaces, was founded by two female artists/business owners with the intention of fostering creative collaboration and encouraging skill sharing in a comfortable environment. As independent designers ourselves, we understand how essential a good studio space is for growth and how hard it can be to get a business off the ground in this expensive city.
As we approach our 5-year anniversary we are beyond grateful for what this amazing community has become and all the ways it has helped so many artists and entrepreneurs grow. We want to share this resource, which is so much more than just a space, with someone who is ready to focus on further developing their existing brand but might not have the financial support to do so. We hope that this opportunity will help amplify the voices and talents of the invaluable BIPOC members of the New York jewelry world, and in turn further expand the talented network of NoLo artists.
“I'm a metal artist of zhuang and Han Chinese decent and identify as non binary and Pansexual. I spent the first half of my childhood in Yunnan China, a province in China that shares a border with several different countries and is very diverse in cultures and climates, while the other half was spent in Southern New Jersey when I immigrated with my mother. My work is heavily inspired by my background and my queer identity.
I approach jewelry making in a very sculptural way of putting my own spin on nature. I take the things from nature that make me think of something beyond what it is. like the pattern of a butterfly that makes me think of 1980's Sci fi or a frank Stella painting, and create metal pieces that convey that imagery to attach to the original object that inspired my idea. So much of my inspiration comes from modern culture like Sci fi, 80's goth/ new wave aesthetics, fetish wear and post modern paintings, so seeing imagery that makes me think of those relatively modern aesthetics on a butterfly that has existed for thousands of years absolutely fascinates me. My love for weird aesthetics stems from my experience growing up in a mostly white conservative suburb and consistently feeling othered. my jewelry is my way of exploring otherness through nature, tying my immigrant experience with my early childhood experience.” - Flora Zhai
Read all about Flora’s year with us HERE!
2021 - 2022
Rahiel DestA
Rahiel founded her brand Desta Jewelry in 2021. The brand focuses on connecting traditional African artistry and contemporary design. Born in Richmond, Va to Eritrean parents - a culture with a rich history of craftsmanship - her home was filled with traditional linens, pottery and homeware all created with care, utility and beauty in mind. With an education and career in textiles, Rahiel blends various patterns and textures inspired by woven fabrics executed through traditional wax carving and metalsmithing techniques. She has a clear intention - to create jewelry that pays tribute to her heritage and values while adapting the influences from our ever evolving life journeys, cultivating a bond with each unique wearer.
Sadé’s interest in the decorative art form lies within the fact that all jewelry has the power to create an energetic transferrance between the object and the wearer. Inspired by modernist and process art, mythologies, aesthetics, and astronomy, she creates contemporary heirlooms that are designed to be kept forever and imbued with the experiences and magic with those who wear them.
Check out a recap of her year with us HERE!
Program managers/mentors
NoLo founder : Laila Lott / TittyHawk/ @titty_hawk
Jalnar Dhanani-Wade / The Benchmark Collection /@jjjalnar
Maddy Michael / Made Line Jewelry / @madelinejewelry
&
Heather Sandor from A & C Gems
