Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasin Shuman.
Yasin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Here’s a blog post that I wrote about my journey: https://medium.com/yasin-shumans-blog/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold-25c978b78f16
After completing my apprenticeship, I went ahead and attended North America’s pre-eminent jewelry school (new Approach) for a three months crash course to round off my training. Along with several amazing instructors, I was trained by Jason Marchiafava (http://www.saulbellaward.com/jason-marchiafava) who is the only person ever granted the title of master craftsman by Tiffany & Co.
Currently, I’ve set up a studio and do custom one-of-a-kind designs for a select list of clients. I also am preparing two new collections: my micromosaic collection as well as a collection inspired by my new hometown utilizing different custom alloys of gold and ancient fabrication techniques.
I am most inspired by love and life. I want to create pieces that are handed down through the generations and hold meaning for the wearers.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As with any major life change or pivot, it’s not always easy. I took a significant pay cut to pursue my dream. I think a lot of people are afraid to risk what they perceive as their all to do what makes them happy. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself, did I use my time in this life well? I believe that making fine jewelry and dedicating my life to expressing the human condition through my medium is providing me with a life well spent.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a private jeweler who works with a select number of clients. I do not advertise and I get my business strictly by referral.
I specialize in making one-of-a-kind custom jewelry utilizing high karat gold and platinum. I am most proud of my upcoming micromosaic collection.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to blend ancient fabrication techniques with the newest technologies providing clients with the best of both worlds.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Unfortunately, the industry trend toward lower-cost, cheaply made goods are here to stay. Jewelry fabrication is a dying craft. I see more and more jewelry being mass-produced and made cheaply overseas. It is made to last a year or two and be trendy, not timeless. There is a seismic shift occurring. Having a handmade piece of jewelry fabricated vs mass-produced and cast is going to be out of reach financially for most people. Fine Jewelry will be for those that want the very best and recognize the value of an artisanally made piece of wearable art.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/y.shuman/
