Monthly Creatives Highlight: Hinge Designs
“I make a lot of this jewelry for myself. I make things that I love and wanna wear and hope that other people wear them too.”
Local Providence Artist Margaret Hinge is a creator and independent owner of Hinge Designs. The solo artist creates jewelry made out of stone rocks. She began Hinge Designs around 2012 after graduating from college, where she studied sculpture. Hinge’s business has since risen to success throughout the last years. Surprisingly, online sales for Hinge Designs have especially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hinge has been making jewelry since she was a little kid. She recalls always making woven friendship bracelets and little jewelry throughout her childhood. When she was about 10 years old, Hinge said her mom got her a small hammering metal smithing kit, which inspired her to go onward and learn more as an adult. Hinge eventually went to study sculpture at Rhode Island School of Design, which resulted in her becoming interested in the jewelry program there. From there, Hinge went to school for metalsmithing where she took a glass carving class. It was here where her interest in stones began.
“I think metalworking has to do with building up material, where carving is a lot more taking away material and forming shapes,” said Hinge. “I fell in love with the different stones, colors and the materials themselves.”
Hinge started officially working with stones after buying stone carving tools from a jewelry store that was moving studios. When she started up with stones, she started with beach stones and made small earrings. She also evolved into making necklaces and rings. Throughout time, Hinge said her style and shapes changed; where she has expanded on the types of stones she uses. Since starting to make jewelry, she has gained more tools to make more diverse shapes and forms. Having started with beach stones, Hinge has since bought stones from different miners and dealers all over the world. She has gotten stones from miners in Australia, South Africa, and even Tanzania.
“When I first started, it was just finding the right sized stone and cutting into it, but now I have more tools, so I can make all the forms, shapes and sizes,” said Marge. “Although, the different types of stones and shapes are dictated by the material itself.”
“I think that different stones have different energies,” said Hinge. “Some stones on my desk don’t wanna be cut or have been sitting there for years, and all of a sudden, I pick one up and it's ready to be cut. Stones are always different and you never know which will be good.”
Aside from her jewelry collections sold online, Hinge also takes custom piece requests from customers; even though every stone is never the same. Each one of her pieces are handmade with love and are just awe-inspiring. For more details, go to hingedesigns.co., or follow @hinge.marge on Instagram to stay updated with current sales and stone making content.
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