by Jennifer Velasquez

Avocado jewelry?! Yes! Meet team member Susan Rae Tannenbaum, owner of the jewelry company VioletRae. Susan makes unique jewelry and accessories whose designs she says are, "a collaboration of the materials used." After the pandemic closed down her studio she applied this philosophy to everyday materials around her. Find out how she created an entirely new jewelry line in the midst of a pandemic.

NYHC: Tell us about what you make.

Susan Rae Tannenbaum: I’m a generally creative person. Lately I’ve been concentrating mostly on jewelry.

NYHC: Where do you live?

SRT: I live in Manhattan in a studio apartment with an outdoor space that has been an oasis these last few month. My studio has been closed so I’ve been creating from home.

NYHC: What is unique or different about your process and/or designs?

SRT: I think the fact that I work with what the material I’m using does naturally rather than me manipulating it; whether it’s metal, wax or avocado skins makes both the process and designs unique.

NYHC: Do you have any favorite pieces? What makes them special to you?

SRT: My favorite pieces are one of a kind, custom pieces! I also love my Flame Ring and a customer favorite is the Molten Ring which comes in brass or sterling silver.

NYHC: What advice can you share with other makers?

SRT: Since the pandemic I have not had a studio so can’t work with metal and the casters for wax were closed. I have always noticed the shapes that avocado skins dry in. I recently started painting them and turning them into jewelry. The process has inspired a new Avocado SKINNZ line. The earrings are super light. I’ve added some things to pendants and want to make pins. It’s been a lot of fun and follows my Wabi-Sabi philosophy. I’m selling those pieces exclusively through Instagram.

NYHC: Do you have any favorite products?

SRT: Be flexible and patient. Don’t follow rules.