Welcome Fall, we embrace thee! Ready to venture out again, and gear up for holiday events? This month's Artist Spotlight has you covered. Meet jeweler Erin Graves, creator of SparkleFarm Jewelry.
Her minimalist, sophisticated designs are a great wardrobe staple and the brass designs will work for any budget.
How did you get started creating your pieces?
From a young age, I enjoyed making things with my hands. Luckily, I was encouraged by my parents to be creative… not just with artistic things, but with life in general. When I was 8 years old, my friend’s mom brought us to a bead store and I was so inspired by all of the colors, shapes, and materials. I could imagine the jewelry coming together before even getting my hands on the beads. I fell in love with creating little dangly earrings, and my mom still wears some of those early creations - over 3 decades later!
I decided to go to college for art, and graduated in 2003. For the next 8 years I had a random assortment of jobs ranging from stationery designer, to nanny, to event planner. I think I just needed to bounce around a little bit, and evolve, before taking the leap to do my own thing. In 2011, I opened an Etsy shop, and officially started SPARKLEFARM.
What’s the favorite part of your work/what you make?
I love that I can work from home in my little studio. I’m quite introverted by nature, and can happily spend hours alone. My husband works out of the house, but I have 3 pets (two cats and a dog) that keep me company and remind me to get up from my desk when they need things, which is very often.
How do you express your creativity through your work?
My tagline for SPARKLEFARM is “Simple shapes + fresh designs”. I’ve always appreciated minimalist style (even if the closets in my house would show otherwise). So with my jewelry, I aim to make visually interesting pieces that are actually quite simple in their design. For me, less is more.
What brings you joy?
The sunbeams that my pets always seem to find. The first sip of hot coffee. Starting a new TV show binge. Swimming in clear water. Rest. 
What challenge(s) have you overcome?
I’m not always inspired to design or make jewelry. I have dealt with depression for several years and it always feels like a big win when I look forward to the day's work.
What do you wish for the world?
That we all focus a little less on work, and a little more on what really matters in the end. Whatever that may be for you!
