Bay watch: Jordan Kushins’ San Francisco-inspired ceramics
Jordan Kushins is an esteemed San Francisco-based design writer. Now, she’s putting her creative accumen to a different kind of test, by creating her own ceramic jewellery, which hangs on hand-tied twine threads.
‘Both writing and making require persistent curiosity,’ Kushins explains of her sidestep from word stringer to ceramic slinger. ‘I’m used to asking other people about how (and why) they do what they do. Now I have to ask the same of myself.’
Her first collection debuted at an open studio she held in San Francisco last October. ‘I’ve consistently heard it’s a very “happy” collection,’ she says. Indeed, the hand-marked pendants in vibrant colourways are joyful, and reference the changing light of Kushins’ home city.
The collection’s relaxed, City by the Bay demeanour belies Kushins’ hard won, crafted precision, and she’s constantly refining her original ideas. ‘My designs – like stories – rarely just spring forth, fully formed and impeccably executed,’ she explains. ‘For every brilliantly written piece you read and connect with, there are likely a million misfires and weird early drafts lurking on a laptop (or bin).’ The same goes for ceramics. ‘It’s in the editing, iteration and experimentation where the magic happens.’
Experimentation is crucial to Kushins’ practice. She forms, fires, glazes and refires everything before planning the layout of the pieces themselves. This way, she can colour-match each individual piece of ceramic to the next. ‘Colour pairings emerge that I hadn’t even considered, and the personality of the piece totally shifts, depending on which shades I put together.’
Never afraid of a new challenge, Kushins’ next collection is going to be rendered entirely in black and white. One wonders if she’s missing the monochromaticity of her typewriter.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
For more information, visit the Jordan Kushins writing website, and her jewellery website
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
The wait is over: Matthieu Blazy is Chanel’s new creative director
Matthieu Blazy has been appointed as the new artistic director at Chanel, after a critically lauded and commercially successful tenure as creative director of Bottega Veneta
By Jack Moss Published
-
Alaïa’s secret new London café and bookstore is inspired by the art of hosting
Housed on the third floor of Alaïa’s London flagship, the intimate space – inspired by Azzedine Alaïa’s famed hospitality – includes a Violet Cakes bakery and a bookstore by Claire de Rouen
By Jack Moss Published
-
Is it really possible to stage a Shakespeare play inside the game Grand Theft Auto?
Grand Theft Hamlet, a documentary debut written and directed by Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, is about two out-of-work actors attempting to mount a full production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, inside the violent world of Grand Theft Auto, shot entirely in game
By Billie Walker Published
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windows
Four British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
By Anne Soward Published
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden Hour
Late summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
By Caragh McKay Published
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hit
What started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
By Elisa Anniss Published
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to know
These independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal pieces
A host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a moment
We've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Eternity rings for the modern couple
Eternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Alternative engagement rings with an edge
As the sales of engagement rings sky-rocket during lockdown, enjoy our off-kilter curation of edgy and unconventional engagement rings
By Hannah Silver Last updated