Who: Jessica Ricci
What: Designer, Jessica Ricci Jewelry
When: 3:30pm, Monday, November 12
Where: Her studio at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket
Why: We have so much in common it’s sort of frightening
I first met Jess Ricci in April at TEDx Providence; we bonded over a shared love of innovative ideas and cute lap dogs. (Jess calls her Cavapoo the love of her life.) After doing some research I discovered a few other passions we share: traveling and writing. In fact, she built her wildly successful jewelry brand around the two.
After graduating with a master’s in journalism from NYU, she worked and lived in Manhattan. Seeking adventure, she moved to Italy to teach English and gain some creative inspiration. (Did I mention that I too used to be a teacher?) It was there in Rome that Jess discovered her passion for jewelry making.
I enter Jess’s studio to find her answering emails, a pup curled up on her lap. She greets me with a smile; Aggie greets me with a lick. The bright and airy studio inside Hope Artiste Village functions as both workspace and storefront. While Jess sometimes utilizes interns, her only full-time employee has fur.
“Aggie comes here every day with me,” Jess says as she stands up from her chair. She lovingly pets the tiny hypoallergenic pooch that’s now nestled in the crook of her elbow while I browse her meticulous display cases. I notice there’s nothing I wouldn’t myself wear. Everything is so chic, so global. There’s a reason for that.
While in Italy, Jess was mesmerized by found objects such as coins and keys. “Back then I had no real jewelry making experience except for stringing beads. I thought it would be amazing if I could figure out a way to turn the antiques into jewelry.” It wasn’t an easy task, but the results of her work are impressive.
Pieces from Jess’s collection have been featured in magazines including InStyle, O, Real Simple, Lucky and Martha Stewart Weddings. Celebrities love them too: Her jewelry has been worn by stars from hit TV shows True Blood and Vampire Diaries. I browse through a displayed book containing all of her accolades.
“My jewelry line is my travel diary,” she says. “I’ve collected objects from Paris, Mumbai, Nepal… Each piece tells a story.” Writing blood in her veins, Jess includes a personal note depicting the history of each pendant, ring, necklace and belt buckle, making for extremely interesting pieces of wearable art.
“I’ve been doing this for six years now, and I’m at a point where it makes sense for me to narrow my focus,” she says. “My next goal is to sell my current inventory at my sale on December 8 and to then refocus.” In fact, practically everything in her extensive collection will be 50 percent off that day.
Before I let Jess get back to her work (responding to inquiries, creating molds, running back and forth to the post office etc.), I tell her I’ll be by for the sale to stock up on gifts for others and to stuff my own stocking too. And then I’ll be making a phone call to her dog breeder.
Jessica Ricci’s holiday clearance sale will take place from 12-6pm on Saturday, December 8 at 999 Main Street in Pawtucket. jessicariccijewelry.com
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