Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrett Leone.
Hi Jarrett, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I learned the art of jewelry making from my fathers, Ralph and Robert, and named my studio “R&R Legacy” to honor them. They were both master silversmiths, each with a unique approach to the craft. I spent my childhood summers making and selling jewelry on the streets of Manhattan and at craft fairs with Robert, and my winters in New England working in Ralph’s workshop and doing shows with him when I wasn’t in school. I was making simple designs from a very early age, and would always have my own table set at the shows. I started with beaded necklaces and hammered copper or brass earrings. When I was old enough to handle a jeweler’s saw, I started learning to work with coins by cutting Abe Lincoln’s profile out of old copper pennies.
The cut coins were my favorite. Both of my dads made cut coin jewelry, but Robert was an absolute master. He approached cutting coins like a Zen meditation. He’d tell me where the coins came from and then we’d imagine the journey they might have taken before they found their way to the workbench. What had they paid for? Where had they traveled? How many different people had they connected?
Because of this sentimental attachment to the cut coins, they became my specialty. As I got older, I also began to appreciate the fact that they were pre-existing material. I loved the idea of using found objects and reclaimed materials. This led me to start creating designs that used interesting objects such as antique thimbles, pen nibs, skeleton keys, clock parts and any other small items I could turn into wearable art. Whenever possible, I would combine them with components made from reworked industrial brass and copper, and recycled sterling silver.
My dads both passed a few years back, but their legacy lives on with me, and I know they were both proud to watch me go out on my own and make a full-time career from the skills they taught me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest obstacles I have faced in my journey have come from my own mind. I’ve struggled with depression throughout my life, starting as far back as I can remember. Depression can make it very difficult to maintain a healthy mind and body, and it’s a constant challenge to keep from slipping into that downward spiral. Thankfully, I found ways to use my creative outlets as modes of therapy. Music, dance, juggling, painting, writing, sculpture and many other art forms have kept me sane throughout my life.
My biggest recent external challenge has been navigating the pandemic. When your entire business is done at craft fairs and festivals, something like this pandemic is devastating. Finding creative ways to keep selling was difficult, but my website and social media helped me get through. Conducting live, virtual craft fairs from my living room was not something I ever imagined doing, but thanks to modern technology, it’s possible. I’m really happy to be back out selling face to face.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most known for my hand-cut coins, and they are my specialty. My cut coins are among the finest and most detailed in the world. Using drill bits as small as .33mm and saw blades as thin as .15mm, I meticulously cut the negative space away, leaving only the design of the coin intact.
I love using coins to make jewelry for so many reasons. I like to imagine how many lives they connected as they traveled around the world. They often have imagery that has fascinating historical and cultural significance, and I enjoy learning as much as I can about them. The fact that they are a pre-existing material means that I can make finely crafted jewelry without a lot of the environmental and social issues that come with mining precious metals and gems.
There is also something poetic and beautiful about destroying money to make something even more precious and valuable from it.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Like many people who work in industries that rely on social interaction, the pandemic hit me very, very hard. I’d say the most interesting lesson I learned, is how important the social aspect of my work is to me. I tend to be shy and introverted by nature, and my studio work is a solitary practice. But the community that happens at fairs and festivals is something I thrive on much more than I realized. Meeting other artists and being inspired by them. Sharing my work with others. Being in an environment where people come together to share art, music, food and community. These things are so important to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rnrlegacy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rnrlegacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnrlegacy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0IV0vHibsw&t=5s
