Summer Merritt
Summer Merritt brings a diverse background in art and a passion for craftsmanship to her jewelry creations. With a BFA in Design and an MFA in Sculpture from Cal State Long Beach, her artistic journey has been shaped by a strong foundation in visual arts. While pursuing her graduate studies, she also delved into the practical world of opticianry, a decision driven by the need for consistent work and an opportunity to further develop technical skills. During her 16-year career as an optician, she found ways to infuse her artistic sensibilities into the field, working exclusively with independent eyewear brands that valued unique aesthetics and uncompromising quality. This experience not only honed her eye for detail but also instilled a deep appreciation for working with intricate designs on a small scale.
In 2020, after stepping away from opticianry, Summer and her husband began building a company focused on custom furniture and home goods. On Christmas Day of that year, while working in their wood studio, she decided to create a piece of jewelry for herself. This experience opened a new creative avenue, one that soon grew into a dedicated pursuit. She began integrating jewelry into their collection, and by the end of 2022, she had fully transitioned from woodworker to full-time jewelry artist. Each piece she creates evolves into a wearable sculpture, meticulously crafted to transform precious wood into heirloom-quality jewelry.
Summer and her husband, Mason Cooley, reside in Weaverville, NC, where they live and operate their home studio. Accompanied by their shop dog, Moser, they create complementary modern designs. To explore their wider collection of furniture and sculptures please visit their shared portfolio site at prideandarchive.com.
The Process
Summer creates modern jewelry pieces from exotic hardwoods, blurring the line between art and fashion. Unlike traditional jewelers, she uses wood as the foundation for the work. Each piece is meticulously shaped and carefully crafted by hand to achieve a smooth, high-polished finish. She intuitively responds to the wood grain and considers every angle to add depth and dimension to the work. The natural oils from the wearer's skin condition the wood over time, creating a symbiotic relationship between the jewelry and the wearer. She also handcrafts custom clasps and metal details using precious metals to complement the quality of the wood. The end product challenges the perception of wood jewelry as a DIY accessory and showcase its potential as a high-end, artisanal form of wearable art.
