The Art of the Artisan

A presentation of jewelry by Hernsdorf and textiles by Studio Ford

By Danaë Petsimeris 

The setting was perfect: a beautiful garden surrounded by bay laurels at Jennifer Kelly’s home in Montecito. Guests mingled while sipping champagne accompanied by caviar canapés, and I was quite enjoying exchanging memories of holidays in the South of France with fellow guests. It was therefore going to take something quite special to distract me; but then that is the ‘art’ in the skill of an artisan, knowing how to attract the eye. On this sunny afternoon, jewelry from Hernsdorf and textiles from Studio Ford easily met the challenge of capturing my attention.

I felt like a princess as the goldsmith, Dale Hernsdorf, placed the Euclidean necklace around my neck. As the gold wrapped around me like a warm embrace,  21 Colombian emeralds sparkled, catching the light. Dale’s atelier—nestled in the Jewelry District of Downtown LA—is where each piece begins; not with a design, but with the stone and its soul. From there, her inspiration flows from the city’s architectural lines and textures. “It’s a love affair,” she says of her craftsmanship. 

My favorite piece was an anahata ring. Set in a triple-split shank, the cabochon pink Burmese ruby glowed as the Californian sun filtered through it. When I asked Dale about her own favorite, she smiled and said, “Always the latest one.” Part of the magic of her work lies in the hidden details—the back of a necklace adorned with small, bezel-set emeralds, or rows of diamonds tucked subtly along the side of a setting. Every piece of Hernsdorf jewelry is a meticulously curated work of art, so distinct in design it can easily become the focal point of an outfit.

After basking in the glorious feeling of being a femme fatale in Hernsdorf jewelry, my attention was caught by textiles from Studio Ford.  Tablecloths, quilts and throws were beautifully displayed by Josie Ford, the brand’s founder. Working exclusively with cotton, linen and silk, the fabrics are enhanced by block printing. Her patterns draw inspiration from the Vienna Secession art movement and Indian sarees. The designs are born in California, before the textiles are brought to life through close collaboration with craftspeople in Jaipur, India.

I’ve always admired the value placed on craftsmanship back home in France, and I’m comforted whenever I find it in California. The skill, artistry and care of the artisan, and the community gathered in support, were reminders of the care that goes into making each piece unique.