The Current Canvas

The Art of Adornment

Fine Handmade Jewelry at the Beaches

Ryan Vai

July 3, 2025

Artistry doesn’t just sit on walls – it drapes around wrists, dangles from ears, and rests gently at the collarbone. Handmade jewelry is more than ornamentation; it’s a story of place, process, and personal transformation. This summer, we’re spotlighting a new wave of coastal creatives who are redefining what it means to wear art.

Tonya Perri’s upcoming show, Evolving into a “NEW” (Friday, July 11, 5 to 9 p.m., at the Artpothecary in West Rehoboth), invites viewers into an immersive experience where art, jewelry, and nature collide. Known for her refined porcelain jewelry and sculptural wall art, Perri’s latest work reflects 30 years of devotion to form, texture, and the organic shapes found in nature. Her pieces – both wearable and wall-mounted – speak to growth, evolution, and the quiet power of transformation.

“I see my work as a conversation between the natural world and my own personal journey,” Perri shares. “They grow together.”

This celebration of intentional adornment is echoed across the Delaware beach arts scene.

In Lewes, Heidi Lowe Gallery has become a beacon for experimental and fine art jewelry. Beyond showcasing an incredible roster of national and international jewelers, Heidi’s space fosters creativity through hands-on classes where students are encouraged to make with meaning. Her gallery is more than a store – it’s a studio, a school, and a sanctuary for those exploring the deep connection between intention and design.

Up the coast in Milford, Carol Skiles of Facets Artisan Jewelry draws from the tides. Her delicate, coastal-inspired pieces often feature sea glass and marine motifs – tiny tributes to the shifting shoreline and the stories it carries. Her work bridges the intricate and the everyday, offering a tactile sense of place for anyone who has ever walked the Delaware beaches at low tide.

Also in Lewes, Jenn Wagner of Bronze Anchor Studios brings motion and mastery together in bold new ways. Her handcrafted metalwork is known for its movement – kinetic pieces that feel alive, engineered with precision and fascinating details. Wagner’s use of advanced techniques and refined finishes elevates her work into the realm of sculptural elegance.

Together, these artists demonstrate the range, depth, and emotional resonance of contemporary jewelry as art. Whether sculpted in porcelain, cast in bronze, or molded around sea-worn glass, each piece reflects a life deeply embedded in coastal creativity. It’s art that tells a story – of transformation, connection, and the enduring influence of nature by the sea.

As Tonya Perri’s show reminds us, evolution is inevitable – and when it’s guided by curiosity, craftsmanship, and community, it becomes something truly beautiful.