Emilie Shapiro

Emilie grew up on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, where water has always been her constant and her inspiration. She comes from a long line of creative entrepreneurs, inventors, and free spirits who have encouraged her to explore many different mediums throughout her artistic life. Emilie uses the ancient craft of lost wax casting which dates back to the Egyptians, wherein she carves sculptural pieces into hard wax and casts them into metal. Rough gemstones are incorporated into her work as a celebration of the beauty of natural imperfection. All production and resources are kept as local as possible, and every piece is handmade in Emilie’s studio in New York City.

Emilie received her B.F.A. in Art + Design with a concentration in jewelry and metalsmithing from Syracuse University. She also studied at Alchimia, a contemporary school of jewelry in Florence, Italy with artists Peter Bauhuis, Yoko Shimizu, and Marzia Rossi. Before launching her own jewelry line, Emilie worked as a bench jeweler and production manager for various jewelry companies in New York City. Emilie also teaches jewelry workshops at Liloveve Jewelry School, The 92Y,  as well as workshops in her studio. Emilie is the author of How to Create Your Own Jewelry Line and Creative Wax Carving.

Emilie lives in Astoria, Queens with her husband and son. When not creating jewelry Emilie loves to tend to her garden, knit and obsess about her plants. 

“Wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” – Paolo Coehlo