The doors are open
Welcome to The Foyer! If you're reading this, you're following the start of this project, and I'd like to thank you for your interest, support, and curiosity.
Or you've gone back in time to understand how it all unfolded—I hope that the ideas and meetings of people were thought-provoking and encouraged new perspectives on jewelry.
The Foyer starts today as a conversation space, where we meet to talk about jewelry and all the surrounding matters. It is the space in between, where you prepare for the moment yet to come; the moment of pause, when I pour you tea while we think about these objects worn in the body.
Whether you're a professional in the field, a jewelry lover, or someone looking for special gift advice, I hope you'll find valuable ideas here.
Where does this love come from
One of my earliest memories is of my kindergarten playground, which was all gravel—small water-worn stones of varying colors. That immensity of different pebbles for me to look at was absolutely magical, true gems through my innocent eyes Especially when it rained, ripples were created, and they seemed to have been orchestrated in such a beautiful pattern.
Since that time, I started with the habit of always being attentive to all kinds of small stones, and the ones I liked the most ended up in my pocket. It could be anywhere from the beach to the potted plant in the dentist's waiting room (these were shockingly white, with sparkles, and my dad helped me out and asked the secretary for one). My collection was small and impeccably curated. The problem is, I thought it would be a good idea to keep it in a corner under my parents' car seat. The car was sold without notice, and I lost all my valuables, all my work, all at once. I still feel a little sad when I remember.
When I was almost a teenager, my aunt/godmother immigrated from Brazil to the United States. She was my fashion reference, almost like an older sister would. She was and still is very aesthetically conscious. We were apart for many years, without seeing each other, and I missed her so much. She left behind at my grandparents' house a jewelry box (actually a repurposed coffee powder tin) full of beads, rhinestones, and metal bijoux. It was a ritual to go into her old bedroom, open the tin and try each piece. As they were made of simple materials, over time they rusted and faded. I really wanted those bijoux to last a little longer. It was how I connected with my aunt.
I've recently started to be able to buy my own jewelry, which is also an absolutely strong feeling. A few weeks ago I filled out my US residency application, after a long time preparing the paperwork (it is worth mentioning that even though I had all the support and favor possible for my case, it was an emotional turmoil). As a celebration of this new step, I fulfilled an old desire to buy a piece by Susana Vega, a Venezuelan jeweler that I am a huge fan of. She is also an immigrant, has achieved so much, and creates with so much meaning. I now carry a bit of her strength with me. This pair of earrings will always remind me of how I felt right now.
I'm not one to keep a lot of things. I have lived between Brazil, Italy, Germany and the United States for the last 5 years, and the few good jewels I have accompanied me and helped me to create the feeling of home.
This was a very personal brief account, but I hope it was a good introduction to how I see the subject. Jewelry is something of the most intimate, it is in direct contact with our skin. It is what we carry with us through the day, through the years, through generations. It impacts how we gesture. It is a physical connection with memories, and with ancestry. His style and material tell about our culture, and how cultures intersect. Jewelry is about falling in love with what our hands can do when aligned with the mind. Jewelry can demonstrate relationships of affection to socioeconomic status. It is also part of the present and future decisions. I'm so excited to write about it all in the upcoming issues.
About me
My name is Isis, and I'm a designer and creative director experienced in Luxury Business Communication. In 2018, I founded Scharf, a design studio partnering with early-stage businesses from the United States, Western Europe, and Brazil.
I've studied jewelry for many years. I'm trained as a bench goldsmith and I have a specialization in cultured pearls by the Cultured Pearl Association of America, CPAA. I'm about to finish my studies at the Gemological Institute of America, GIA, to earn the Professional Applied Jewelry diploma.
Now I'm the content producer behind The Foyer — this newsletter that serves as a meeting space to talk about jewelry and all the surrounding matters.
Before I go, I would like to thank everyone who has supported and inspired me so far. I've been planning The Foyer for a long time and I finally gathered the courage.
My special thanks to my friends Tarcila (who co-created this visual identity with me), Lufiego and Bárbara, my husband, my parents, my brother, and my godmother.
See you soon,
Isis