Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadine Zenobi.
Hi Nadine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
While traveling in Europe, I watched another woman silversmith work. I was captivated as the silver melted like chocolate before my eyes. In that moment I envisioned myself working with silver,
From Europe I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, into a room previously occupied by a silversmith. When she eventually invited me to use her equipment, sitting at the bench felt as natural as if I had been doing it my entire life. The knowledge of how to create jewelry simply poured through me, and with just a little guidance from my friend, I was on my way.
Shortly after, I was the lucky recipient of tools left behind by an elderly man who had passed away. I set up a jewelry workspace in my tiny two-room apartment, even placing the polisher outside to make it work. Looking back, it is remarkable how the stepping stones were laid out for me.
Another gift followed when I learned about stones and crystals from an Apache medicine woman named Oshinnah Fastwolf. She taught me about quartz crystals long before they became widely known. I fell in love with the stones, and her teachings guided me toward a journey of healing through jewelry creation.
I was blessed to learn from two of the original native sources.
A Hopi silversmith named Michael Kaboti taught me how to make silver shadowbox bracelets.
There were very few jewelers fabricating work then, as casting was the predominant skill. Being given, by a master silversmith, the knowledge to create and fabricate these hollow-form bracelets surely is another gift and a stepping stone to move forward.
By combining my skills as an artist, my knowledge of stones, and my intuitive healing abilities, Skyrivers Jewelry was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Forty-four years later, this career remains amazing. I feel honored by the gifts that led me here; everything truly fell beautifully into place.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While my journey has been rewarding, it required significant sacrifice and hard work to keep Skyrivers Jewelry alive.
I started with very little capital. I moved into two different garages in California rentals to build studio space. Finding stability with the studio space was always a challenge.
My work began in New Mexico in a old adobe house in the countryside and when I moved to Ca.my career took off.
Some transitions were challenging, especially as I traveled from show to show for 44 years. Although it was a demanding path, I enjoyed traveling and meeting loyal customers who are still with me to this day.
The shows were how I successfully built my career and made my living.
I now own a beautiful studio which I designed and had built here in Chapel Hill NC. It is truly a dream that came true!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The gift of creativity is intricately connected to the gift of healing. As an artist and a healer, I must synthesize the expression of both in my work and in my life.
Through years of studying in the healing arts, I have come to appreciate how jewelry designs and stones can heal the body, mind and spirit. My work emerges from a combination of specific stones and the applique of precious metals, including silver and white, pink and yellow gold, to enhance the energy of each piece. The fabrication process ensures that every creation is “one of a kind” from the initial concept to the final polish.
My designs are deeply influenced by nature and intuition
I begin by selecting metals and stones that facilitate healing, often incorporating geometric or organic forms that reveal themselves during the creative synthesis. I especially enjoy creating custom, personalized pieces and can work with a client’s own stones to bring a specific vision to life, offering gratification to both creator and receiver.
In addition to jewelry I am a painter and often carry the imagery of my metalwork into my 2D art. The paintings also carry healing properties and can be personalized. It is a joyful release to work with the colors in comparison to the hard metals. I like to go from one to the other.
In my 20’s I illustrated a children’s book and painted in water based colors. Now I use acrylic paints.
It is a challenge for artists in today”s world of “production-verses-art” to be true to the vision that defines an artist. As I create pieces, I keep this intention in mind to see it translated into my work
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Building snow forts! I loved being a creative sculptor in this way…so much fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skyriversjewelry.com
- Instagram: zenobinadine
- Facebook: skyriversjewelry
- LinkedIn: skyriversjewelry
- Email: skyriversnadine@gmail.com
