Lauren Wimmer has always been attracted to the symbolism, texture and ornamentation associated with beaded jewelry. She draws inspiration from her background in the Classics and Fine Arts: themes ranging from the coral “corno” dangling from the neck of a Christ child, to the fragments encircling the preserved bodies buried beneath the ash of Mount Vesuvius, to the bone necklace of a Kahlo self portrait reminiscent of a tribal ornament.

Lauren strives to create jewelry that inspires the same reflections in its wearers. Each piece has its own intrinsic texture created by the juxtaposition of faceted, smooth and oddly shaped beads that mix color, weight and light refraction. Her “Strung” collection of beaded jewelry features prominently with clusters of fresh water pearls and rock crystal clusters accented with semi precious stones, sterling silver, 14-karat gold, bone, wood, horn and glass in unusual and variant colors and shapes.  The “Wrapped” collection features hand-dyed silk ribbon wrapped around hollow tube rings to form bibs, chains and convertible pieces. The “Cast” collection draws from the textures and palettes of overgrown gardens. From the tangles at Satis House described in Great Expectations to the very real, verdant growth covering the old houses along Admiral Row in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard, the daring flora coming through alongside thorns and foreboding iron fences provide the aesthetic start for the pieces in that she carves in wax and casts in sterling silver.

The collection launched in 2003 and has sold in many museums and specialty stores around the globe including  The Art Institute of Chicago, The Philadelphia Art Museum, The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel.

bio

Lauren has BA from Wellesley College with a concentration in Art History and Sculpture. She continues to hone her carving skills at the Fred de Vos Workshop in downtown Manhattan.