As part of our ongoing series, we are interviewing people of interest in the area who are having a positive impact on our community.
This time, we reached out to Art by Izabelle!
Can you tell me about your background, your history with the Owens Valley, and how you became interested in jewelry design?
I grew up in the Owens Valley and went to school in Bishop, graduating from BUHS in 2020. I’ve always had a love for painting and design, so when I started college at California State University, Long Beach, I chose to major in Studio Art. While at CSULB, I discovered metalsmithing and completely fell in love with it. I immersed myself in learning all the techniques and processes—from the foundational skills to more advanced methods. Working with metal gave me a whole new way to express my creativity, and it quickly became my passion.
What materials do you primarily use in your jewelry, and why?
The materials I primarily use in my jewelry are copper, sterling & fine silver, enamel powders, enamel watercolors, and silver and gold-fill chains and findings. For my enamel work, I mainly use copper and silver as the base metals. I apply enamel powders and watercolor enamels to create detailed, intricate designs, and I fire the pieces in a kiln to fuse the enamel to the metal. My jeweler’s saw and kiln are two of the most essential tools in my studio. When crafting rings and other non-enameled pieces, I work primarily with sterling silver and recycled fine silver. I prefer using silver and gold-fill findings for my chains and ear wires because they’re gentler on sensitive skin.
Can you walk me through your creative process, from concept to finished piece?
When I’m out hiking in the Eastern Sierra, I’m constantly taking photos of wildflowers, butterflies, mountain scenes, and the intricate textures. Nature is a huge source of inspiration for my work. When I’m planning a new design, I scroll through the thousands of pictures on my phone, looking for details that spark an idea. I love blending organic elements, like the curve of a petal or the pattern on a butterfly’s wing, while other pieces focus on more structured lines and rugged textures of mountain landscapes. That contrast between softness and strength is something I try to reflect in each piece, capturing both the beauty and the boldness of the outdoors which surround me.
What’s your favorite part of the creation process?
My favorite part of the creation process is hand-sawing my designs and painting the enamel pieces. I cut out each shape by hand, making every piece feel personal. Once they’re ready, I lay them out, turn on a show, and start painting.
Lastly, where can customers view and purchase your jewelry locally?
Customers can view my work on my Instagram page: @artby.izabelle, where I’m most active on social media. You can also find me at local markets, from Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes, where I display most of what pieces I have. My upcoming markets include Mule Days! I also have a few items listed on my Etsy page and at C5 Studios locally, so be sure to stay tuned for more uploads and new pieces in the future: @artbyizabelleL
A special thank you to Art by Izabelle for answering our questions.
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