Category Archives: jewellery

Argentinian designer Erica Corte has a particular knack for transforming everyday hardware into modern pieces of statement jewellery. Hardy nuts, bolts, washers and screws are just some of her materials of choice, which she combines with delicate woven rope, cord and acrylics to create striking industrial jewellery designs far removed from their original purpose. Her latest collection made in her New York studio were inspired by boats and the sea.

Grey Organic Cotton and Silk Cord Stainless Steel Cotter Pins and Acrylic Cubes.

Erica Corte for State of Green;

You live and work in New York. Can you tell me a little about your background and what inspired you to become a jeweller?  My work is based on contemporary jewellery design. Design and creativity runs in the family. I grew up watching my father do his job creating talabarteria (accessories for dressing horses) and constantly creating thousands of things. My grandmother knitted and sold her fabrics; I also learned a lot from her. Today my sisters, my two brothers and I try to convey the same combined creativity and originality to what we do.

Your father has an interesting job. Did you grow up around horses?   My father passed away when I was 17 years old, part of all this, it’s my inspiration from him. He was a real artist ! Yes, I grew up with horses and his passion for them. When I was a child, we moved to countryside because of him. His last job before he passed away won the best design in an Argentinian exhibition related with agriculture.

I have strong and fond memories about him doing his work, doing everything from the beginning, using his hands to create the pieces. The texture and smell of the materials, watching him doing his job and his passion for horses are my inspirations today.

Solid-Braid Black Rope and LockWashers

And what did you learn from your grandmother?  My grandmother, I spend a lot of time with her as well seeing her doing her job, using her hands, knitting and having her clientele at her home. She taught me how to knit. Until today, over the phone, she’s very excited to know when I am knitting something. She still talking to me about yarns and knitting points.

Describe the environment in which you were raised.  I come from a small town in Buenos Aires, with old houses and a lot of green, very quiet and very small, where once a year they do a parade of horses to show their clothing accessories and threaded carriage.

Tell me about your  latest collection? In this series I was inspired by the boats and the sea, using ropes, acrylics and construction hardware parts to assemble one jewellery piece.

Black Silk Cord, Acrylic Cubes and Rubber Faucet Washers

You say this collection was inspired by boats. Have you spent any time around boats and the sea? Why do you think it resonates with you

and inspired your recent collection? Here in New York, I live close to the river. I have the view of the water and boats every day. I love the contrast of the view, the water and the boats with the density of the city. I feel this collection resonates with me, like I always try to express the simplicity and the strength of the materials. I love simple, genuine and strong elements for my pieces.

The concept for my collection is to blend art and design into one. It’s about experimenting and allowing common utility pieces to become something completely new. I believe that each piece I create is made for somebody.  And I try to keep this in the forefront of my consciousness when I work. When one of my pieces makes it into the right hands, it embodies something uniquely personal and meaningful for her. And this is what art should be.

 ~~ Erica Corte Atelier ~~