By Ariana Shuris

After an eight-hour shift serving at the Beacon Street Bistro, twenty-eight-year-old Erika Jorjorian rushes home to her basement. No, that’s not where she sleeps or where she folds her laundry. There, lies her studio in between the cat’s liter box and a dust-covered treadmill.

But this is no I-Spy game. In this delicate, eclectic-filled space, Erika hand-crafts one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry with her own two hands.

Hoping to start her own small-scale company within the next five years and to establish more one-on-one relationships with clients, Erika is aware that this is just the start of her journey. “I’m still learning. This is still the beginning,” she added.

In the quietest crevice of the studio, she dips her neck and admires her finished work. Rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets of frosted silver and sea-tone gems hang like icicles within the velvet folds of her jewelry case.

This small-town artist thrives off of the work she creates and the feeling she gets when a client slips into one of her pieces, like a silk negligee. “Jewelry is something you can wear forever. …You can’t wear a drawing,” she said.

In 2000, Erika left her family of five for Philly and after four years, received her BFA in Textiles and Jewelry & Metal from the University of the Arts.

The college’s privately funded senior show in 2004, exhibited Erika’s work among that of other artists. She ended up selling the most work out of everyone there, with all but two of her items sold to the ritzy crowd of art enthusiasts.

“It’s all about knowing the person that buys your work and knowing that they will give it a good home,” she said. Erika’s shoulders rose humbly as a check was signed for $1000, in exchange for her first necklace, made of fine silver links.

“Buttons. That’s where it started. I’ve always just loved buttons. When I was little, I had a jar of buttons down in my basement…And then later I figured out, I can set these like ‘little stones’ in jewelry.” Hunting for buttons became a thrill for her and incorporating them within her silver pieces was even more or a challenge.

As an antique aficionado with a lacey vintage core, she has been collecting inspiration for years, covering her studio walls in fashion photos. “I was born at the wrong time,” she giggles, as she presses her fingers against black-and-white cutout of a 1930’s Charlie Chaplin look-a-like from a Vanity Fair spread.

Erika enjoys the entire process of making a piece of jewelry includes sawing, filing, sanding, drilling, and polishing. “I love when it’s about to be finished and you can put it on,” she added, admitting her favorite part.

In the midst of working as a waitress full-time and commuting to and from Boston from Princeton, MA, Erika was encouraged to create an Etsy website in 2007 by a friend for her line of jewelry, in hopes that some greater attention can be given to this up-and-coming artist.

Through the Etsy website, Erika just recently hit a high peak in her rising career. “I made a celebrity sale!” she said excitedly.

“I think my ultimate high point, though, will be when I can do this as my full-time career.”

Erika has sold five or six pieces through the craft-related website so far, with products ranging from $60 to $500. “With all the work and time I put into a piece, they’re not worth anything less,” she said.

She hopes her site reflects her personal style – somewhat contemporary, leaning toward more high-end, fashion-oriented jewelry with some vintage inspiration. “It’s definitely more limited edition and one-of-a-kind.”

Julia Jorjorian, one of Erika’s younger sisters said, “Erika’s stylish and quirky. She’s not afraid to be different.” Over the years, Julia has observed Erika’s commitment and has seen all the effort, detail and heart she puts into each piece.

With more success selling her items independently and at higher prices, Erika has sold about 20 pieces throughout the years. “I met with a man last week for lunch at the Bistro about making him a button ring,” she added.

Erika admits that she’ll put on a piece of her own after its completion. “They’re like little mini sculptures. They can transform you. And, they’re meant to be worn as the centerpiece. Something you’d wear with a simple black dress.”

She’s got a knack for it; for having a vision and creating it in 3-D for wearing. She sits at her desk, breaking through a fine silver metal plate with a tiny saw and goes to town. “I sit at a desk, but I could never ‘sit’ at desk, ‘You know what I mean?’” she said.

“I have to do something with my hands to feel useful. It’s nice to have an end result to something.”

Erika’s jewelry can be viewed, purchased and/or admired at www.etsy.com/shop/eajit.