SoWa Spotlight On: Erica Walker

Jewelry designer Erica Walker grew up outside of Boston in a home she describes as fun and project-oriented. Her dad’s silversmith hobby piqued her curiosity, opening the door to what’s since become her full-time career.

Walker is mostly self-taught at her trade, though she now learns new techniques, methods and tools through the occasional workshop; her specialty is using reclaimed and recycled supplies to create her jewelry. When she’s not vending her pieces at SoWa Open Market or one of the other markets she regularly attends, she’s up in New Hampshire where she’s resided for the last fifteen years. This fall she hopes to begin building a studio for her business, Walker Silverworks.

Patch: What initially attracted you to jewelry, and what keeps you coming back to it?

Erica Walker: I guess you could say that I fell into jewelry design naturally because of my father and older sister (who also makes her living as a jeweler, Kiki Huston Jewelry Design), who to this day is one of my biggest supporters and inspirations. I also believe it's in our nature to decorate ourselves, whether it be with jewelry, clothing, tattoos, hairdos, etc.. It's just fun.

Patch: Have you dabbled in other mediums?

Erica: I have dabbled in most other mediums. Rediscovering silversmithing was like coming home to me. It's a natural fit that satisfies a certain impatience because of its almost immediate results and my desire for real hands-on work. I do, however, find it valuable to play or experiment with other mediums for fun and to simply get out of my own head for a while. And at this point in my life, I'm finally letting go of the need to be good at everything and just enjoy.

Patch: Do you ever struggle to find a balance between form and function?

Erica: Doesn't jewelry really need to have both? I guess I do—often—pursue ideas that don't function as hoped. Sometimes they're re-worked, sometimes they end up in the scrap bin.

Patch: How important is the SoWa Market and other markets to the success of your business?

Erica: SoWa rocks! Craft fairs and art markets are 30 to 50 percent of my business. I think there has been a real "handmade movement" in the last five years or so and markets like SoWa provide a fun, well organized, well advertised outlet and are such a huge contribution to their communities and the art/craft world.

Patch: Has increased competition forced you to be craftier about how you market yourself?

Erica: These days, jewelers/jewelry makers are kind of a dime a dozen and marketing is not my forte. I just hope that my craftsmanship, unique style and commitment to my craft will keep me in the game.

Patch: Since you specialize in reclaimed and recycled work, is there a cleaning/conditioning process?

Erica: Thankfully, my supplier offers reclaimed and recycled materials. This is a priority to me, as silver mining practices are not something I'm keen on supporting.