Art & Life with Rebecca Holt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Holt.

Rebecca, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Jewelry and metalsmithing made sense to my thought process more than any other medium in art on multiple levels. I started working with metal in college, and actually, I didn’t know about the craft of metalsmithing until sophomore year of college. I’ve loved art my entire life and have been in at least one art class since I was a toddler in school; but those classes always utilized 2D materials. I always enjoyed drawing and painting but never really connected with that medium the way other people did, so when I discovered the craft/material studies major in art college, I really hit the ground running. It turns out I connect with the concept of 3D work much better than 2D (especially using a torch) more than anything else. Heat control just makes sense to me. Fashion has always been a huge inspiration to me and I’ve collected stones since I was a kid. I was so excited to actually be able to utilize this knowledge in my own designs.

I decided when I was a teenager I wanted to work for myself when I grew up and jewelry made me realize just how much I really wanted that. So, I saved up my graduation money from college and bought all the tools I needed to start my business after college ended. I worked out of my parent’s garage while living in an apartment downtown. I worked retail throughout college and during this period starting my jewelry business. After half a year of this schedule, I got married and moved to Atlanta in 2015 with my husband for his job, where I started working out of an official studio space. Atlanta is where I started running my business full time and where it really started taking off.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make powerful but minimal jewelry designs, large and small, with semi-precious stones. I create fashion forward collections that are budget friendly using brass and sterling silver. My mission is to make it possible for anyone to own quality, handmade jewelry without turning to fast-fashion companies with unethical practices and to make everyone who wears my designs feel powerful. My work is inspired by the relationship between the geometric and the organic. I use fossils, earth stones and gemstones to create timeless statement pieces that are ethical and wearable. I solder using a torch and unplanted brass, sterling silver and sometimes gold; everything I make is solid and is not plated. This way, anything can be remade or recycled in the future.

I usually start by holding and staring at a stone for a long time going over options in my mind. I then begin on whatever idea I’ve landed on. Throughout making the piece, I take off and put on elements that work and don’t work until I’ve arrived at something I believe is a powerful shape that is wearable. I really enjoy problem solving and there are many problems to solve when it comes to construction in a piece of jewelry.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I do think the role of art has changed. The political climate and events happening everywhere in the world right now are so turbulent, and supporters of small business and art are needed now more than ever. I have donated and support the LGBTQIA+ community and have a PRIDE collection on my website; 20% of all of those sales go to Lost and Found Youth Homeless LGBTQIA+ Center in ATL. I think collections like this are important but as much as I think about/confront/support issues in my work, I also think art provides a level of distraction and a place where someone can imagine a different world where fantasies can become real. Giving yourself that mental space to imagine other possibilities is important right now.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can visit my website shop/customs etc. at http://rebeccaholt.co or visit me on social media. I post 4-6 times a week! I am showing my work at least once a month, if not 3 times a month, somewhere in Atlanta. The information for those shows and where to find me is also on my website.

Instagram: rebeccaholt02
Facebook: Rebecca Holt Jewelry
Tumblr: coffeestainedblouse.tumblr.com
Twitter: rebholtjewelry

I sell a good amount through social media; you can message me about whatever photo you like and ask for a replica (if possible) or where it is sold on my website, and I will get that piece to you! Viewing and liking/commenting on my pieces on social media, telling your friends about my work, and purchasing from me online or at shows are the best ways to support my work and help my business grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://rebeccaholt.co
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaholt02/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rebeccaholtjewelry/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebholtjewelry

Image Credit:
Eryn Price-Ormsby (Photographer of moonstone choker photo)
Astrid Kallsen (model of moonstone choker photo)

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.