Meet the Artist :: Saturday, September 11
Philippa Roberts
Philippa is Back! For one day only, she will be showing her latest collections. Don't miss it!
Philippa's Bio
Red Cross to benefit from jewelry show @ Annieglass this Saturday 9/11
Philippa Roberts and Annieglass will be contributing 10 percent of that day's sales to the Santa Cruz Red Cross in remembrance of the anniversary of 9/11.
Philippa Roberts, popular Bay area jeweler and Annie Morhauser of Annieglass felt strongly about acknowledging the loss of so many and the heroic action of the first responders.
Mel Bowyer of the local chapter of the Red Cross is very grateful for the donation. "It is great to be supported by the community," and quipped, "I am sending my husband to do all the Christmas shopping that day."
Back by popular demand, Philippa Roberts will be visiting the Annieglass store for one day only with her contemporary jewelry lines so appreciated by our Santa Cruz audience Saturday, September 11 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
I was so taken by the broad spectrum of fans Philippa has for her simple yet stunning jewelry. Everyone from teens to grandmothers were buying presents for family members. The great thing about a trunk show is all the goodies you won’t see at any other time. As prolific and talented Philippa is – come and enjoy her eyecandy! 10% of sales go to the Red Cross. Thanks Philippa!
Q + A With jewelry designer and storeowner Philippa Roberts.
I met Philippa Roberts in New York in 2003 and was instantly drawn to the refinement of her work. It is fresh and simple, unfussy and tasteful yet slightly organic in shape. Since then it has become one of our best selling jewelry lines in the Annieglass store. I am impressed by its appeal to a wide variety of customers in age and style. It is a basic for everywoman’s wardrobe.
Philippa is prolific with new designs. It is always a pleasure to view her latest creations, there are so many of them too…. I do not know how she does it.
She took time away from her busy studio, shop and young family to chat before her trunk show here at the downtown Santa Cruz Annieglass store on Saturday, September 11 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. I cannot wait to see what she will bring with her; silver and gold, set precious and semi- precious stones as well as her well priced line of tasteful silver jewelry that we all love so much. Please help me welcome her back to Santa Cruz.
Annie Morhauser: (A.M.) What is your strongest influence?
Philippa Roberts: (P.R.) I like to think that my strongest influence is a woman's need for simple, clean, classic jewelry. I know how crazy and busy our lives are, I want jewelry to be uncomplicated and easy to wear. My work is not something that goes with a specific outfit or at a specific time. It can be worn day or night; you can even wear the same piece everyday, which many women do.
A.M.: Where do you get your inspiration?
P.R.: My pieces come one of two ways. One way is I see a shape out in the world or in print (i.e. I saw some bubbles in a picture of a soap bottle and I loved the way they looked, so I will turn that image of the bubbles into silver and then into a piece of jewelry). I often come up with a bunch of new shapes before I have any collection in mind.
Then I shop the gem shows and get inspired by the stones I see. So I buy what I think is beautiful then I come back to the studio and create a piece to go with the stones. Often this means I’ll have a mold made of the stone or I’ll put multiple stones together for a piece.
A.M.: Do have a whole, complete collection in mind when you design new work or does one flow from the other?
P.R.: One definitely flows from the other; it always surprises me how it all comes together in the end.
A.M.: Do you draw them out or make samples out of your head, at the bench?
P.R.: I make them straight into silver at the bench, and then carve them more on the grinding wheel. Everything has an organic feel because nothing is measured or planned.
A.M.: Tell me about your upbringing in a jewelry making family...
P.R.: My Great-Grandfather came to South Africa from Scotland; he started a fine jewelry business in Johannesburg. My Grandfather took the company over, then my uncle, and now my four cousins run it. They have five or six stores in South Africa and cater to the rich and famous! I know the Queen and Tina Turner have pieces :)
So they are the finest of fine jewelers and I actually never was around the stores or the studios too much. It wasn't until I was in my senior year in college that I really realized the connection. I had fallen into Metal Arts completely by accident when I could not get the ceramics class I wanted. I needed a 3D requirement so I took the metal class and immediately fell in love with working with metal. It was an instant attraction. When I was presenting my final projects it all made sense that this is what is in my blood. I love having that connection to my family back in South Africa, especially my Grandfather who passed away when I was a little girl.
A.M.: Thanks Philippa- we cannot wait to see what you are going to bring to the trunk show on Sat. October 24!
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