NEW MEMBER PROFILE // Jeweler Eva Marcus Hits the Big Time

Eva Marcus models a necklace for her lookbook

It was less than a year ago that Eva Marcus left Los Angeles and an acting career to come to New York and start a jewelry line. She searched and searched for a place to go make jewelry, until she found 3rd Ward and got to work. Now she has a shop on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and Women's Wear Daily gave her line a glowing review. Apparently a lot can happen in a year.

"I'm not a very patient person," Marcus tells us. "Once I decided this is what I want to do, I didn't want to drag it out." 

Marcus learned how to make jewelry in Italy from a woman experienced in cuttlebone casting, which is the material her pieces are made from. Initially, she did it purely as form of meditation, though eventually people began asking her where the jewelry came from. "I thought it was kind of like how your mom hangs your pictures on the fridge when you're little," she says. "I didn't think people actually liked it." Meanwhile, disenchanted with show business, she decided to give the jewelry line a go. 

Hit the jump to find out more and catch a glimpse of Marcus' work.

                             

When we ask about the relatively primitive nature behind actually making the jewelry, Marcus explains, "What's funny is I'm not an outdoors person at all, and I don't really pay attention to the trends. I'll just put on a song or something and start sketching and carve that right into the cuttlebone." She loves the rustic, imprecise nature of the entire process and how substantial the finished products actually feel. Her prices range from about $200-$2,000 (hey, it's the holiday season, people.)

We, for one, are thrilled to have Eva on board as a member--and for your further enticement, here's one more gorgeous piece of hers:

--Layla Schlack