Eri Dimitriadi describes her earliest foray into jewelry making as “a game”—something she could do in her free time to relieve work stress and let her imagination run wild. Back then, Eri was working as an architect in Athens, Greece, but after the financial crisis struck, creative work for architects dried up. Budgets were slashed and most of the buildings that were still being erected were bureaucratic (read: dull). Making jewelry gave Eri a creative outlet—plus, it was a project she could control herself from start to finish.
It wasn’t until friends started commenting on her unique designs that she set up a shop on Etsy, Eried, and began to envision an alternative career path for herself. “It was like: Yes, this can be done!” recalls Eri. “I have to do this.” Using mostly polymer clay, thin metal wire, and even delicate plaster, the self-taught jewelry maker continued to experiment, translating her architect’s penchant for “basic, clean lines” to her wearable work; she then built on both skill sets by enrolling in an MFA program at the Athens School of Fine Arts.
Today, with her architecture job officially behind her, Eri devotes her days to developing minimalist jewelry designs inspired by nature, as well as high-concept pieces—like her “A Glimpse of Time” brooch, which is fashioned from metal and plaster and designed to shatter when the wearer embraces another person—that elevate her one-of-a-kind items beyond mere adornment. “I knew I wanted to do something more creative, and this was the motivation I needed,” says Eri.
Read on to learn more about Eri’s inspirations and influences, and the architecture-school advice that remains her litmus test for an idea worth keeping—then shop the Eried collection.
When you began designing and making jewelry, how did you decide which medium was right for you?
For a self-taught jewelry designer and maker like me, polymer clay is a very approachable medium. I did take some lessons with porcelain, but I found polymer clay to be a more precise material. It allowed me to make more delicate pieces, and to make them as small and as detailed as I wanted them to be.
Is it challenging to work on such a small scale?
It takes time, but it’s also very calming. It takes my stress away. Still, for one piece, I might use only 60 percent of the flowers I produce because I want them to match so perfectly.
Tell me about your creative process.
When I first started molding, I was amazed how a new shape appeared every time I folded the clay. Every bend takes on a new form. It’s something about the material and its plasticity—I never know what will come up when I start working.
And that’s why you hand-sculpt—so you can figure it out as you go along?
Yes, I want to really feel the clay. When I first started out, I didn’t know what I was doing. I just started folding and ending up with new forms.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Sometimes I Google different types of flowers and try to figure out how I can transfer those images into clay in an abstract way; I also collect flowers and try to capture them in photographs myself. I like to walk through the city and see the blocks of flats with flowers on their balconies, and I like to walk at the seaside or in the forest. It makes me feel more connected to the earth and helps me get deeper into myself. I don’t feel any stress or anxiety—it empties my mind.
Who do you envision wearing your jewelry?
My jewelry is not very bold, so I can imagine it on almost anybody. One time, a woman asked me to make a piece of jewelry for her niece. She wanted it to be expandable as she grew up, so that she could wear it from age 6 onward. I was really flattered that she wanted one of my pieces to be a part of her niece’s life in that way.
From architecture to jewelry making, what does minimalism mean to you?
Minimalism is a clean-cut idea. It’s easy to see. It’s easy to touch. It’s easy to transfer meaning from. When I was studying architecture, sketching and designing new buildings or spaces, my favorite professor would say: “Keep an idea that you can write down on a stamp.” Meaning, the best idea is so pure and simple, it can fit on a piece of paper the size of a stamp.
Did you discover any new or inspiring artists while working on your MFA?
Janine Antoni, Cornelia Parker, Mona Hatoum, Félix González-Torres, Gabriel Orozco, Olga Balema—there are so many I would like to mention, it’s almost impossible! The connection they share is a poetic vision in their work. They spot hidden aspects of our contemporary life and expand the time we take to perceive what is going on around us. Our society doesn’t have time to think, to react, to remember, or to spend time evaluating unnoticed little things. These artists address that problem by helping to broaden our sight.
What are your goals for the future of your shop?
I want to continue seeing how the combination of architecture and fine arts can emerge through my jewelry—and I also want to make abstract wall installations out of my flowers.
Follow Eried on Facebook.
Photographs courtesy of Eried.
68 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Your work is beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
Irina Shapoval from LadyLunarCat said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! Cute jewelry!
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Beautiful design! Congratulations on the feature!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Beautiful designs! Congratulations on the feature
Renee from RandMhandmade said 3 years ago
Beautiful...thank you for sharing your creative process!! Congratulations!!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 3 years ago
Such amazing delicate creations! I LOVE the Glimpse of Time brooch....so beautiful! Congratulations on the feature and many blessings for your continued success!!! :D
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Very creative, unique, lovely! Congrats on the feature!
Etrennes from Etrennes said 3 years ago
Unique and wonderful creations! Wishing you all the best to continued success!!!
Rosita from pillowlink said 3 years ago
So beautiful creative jewelry! And very cozy studio! Congrats!
Stavroula Papadopoulou from WerkStaat said 3 years ago
Fantastic work! Congratulation Eri!
Arabic Sweets from ArabicSweets said 3 years ago
Beautiful! Congrats on the feature:-)
Michela from LilyandFern said 3 years ago
Stunning! Congrats :-)
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 3 years ago
Very cute!!! Congratulations on the feature!
gmArt from mARTket said 3 years ago
Yep, she is one of a kind! Unique and so delicate work! She combines the beauty of nature with the simplicity of different forms, creating little pieces of art.. I really loved to see your work growing, by using new materials and techniques. Congrats!!!
Elisavet from pergamondo said 3 years ago
Awesome jewelry! Congrats on the feature!!! Hope everything go as you wish!!
Maria from polykatoikia said 3 years ago
So delicate so beautiful work! Congrats on the feature sweet, Eri! !
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 3 years ago
Love the simplicity and beauty of your work! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
Lovely shop and items. Congrats on the feature.
Niko from NikolaSandals said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature!!!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
VERY BEAUTIFUL AND CREATIVE WORK!
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Vadim Moroz from IconPainter said 3 years ago
Lovely work! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 3 years ago
So pretty! Love your designs! Congrats on the feature!
somniarumpus from Pyksii said 3 years ago
So pretty and very elegant.
Dig Deep Vintage from digdeepvintage said 3 years ago
It was nice to read about your inspirations and how you translate them into beautiful creations. The little things in life are the best. Congrats on the feature!
Helena Rakhuba from hereandnowshop said 3 years ago
Amazing artist! Congratulations on the feature. You jewelry is so beautiful and unique <3 I love your studio space as well as package design :)
Tasos from TACEHandmade said 3 years ago
Your work is so beautiful!!! Congrats Eri!!!!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 3 years ago
Lovely work of minimal art. Congratulations Erie of shop Eried!
messprj from MessProject said 3 years ago
Her work is more than fantastic!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
I love your work! Your shop looks great! Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you all the best on your future endeavors.
Jan Dumas from OjoyDesigns said 3 years ago
Very Well Done! Your work is simply elegant.
Fabulous Cat from FabulousCatPapers said 3 years ago
I'm SO glad to see you featured Eri!!!! :-D Your work is amazing and I loved it from the first moment! Great job! :-D <3
Marianne K from hobbiesfromtheheart said 3 years ago
beautiful work!
Erika Iozsa from JasminBlancBoutique said 3 years ago
Yaaaay, I am so happy to see you and your shop here. It was a long time coming I think! So well deserved :) Wonderful artwork, and now knowing some of your story it is even more meaningful! :) Congrats!
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 3 years ago
Delicate and beautiful!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
My goodness this is a beautiful line. The pieces are so minimal but so darn dramatic!! Gorgeous and so very ooak!! Congrats on this lovely feature!!
Piper Pixie from PiperPixieDesigns said 3 years ago
I'm a polymer clay artist as well, medium usually gets a bad rap for being cheap. It's more about what you do with it. Super durable stuff;)
Carol from MasCollected said 3 years ago
I enjoyed reading this feature and seeing these pieces. Thanks to Ashlea and Eri. I appreciated your share on minimalism Eri. Best wishes to both of you!
Eleni from PlexisArt said 3 years ago
Beautiful work ! Congratulations on the feature!!!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 3 years ago
Congratulations on your feature and your work is simply gorgeous!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 3 years ago
Love the elegance and simplicity of your designs. Best wishes as your business grows!
andersonrustic from andersonrustic said 3 years ago
Your jewelry is simple and elegant. Congratulations on your feature! Best of luck to you...
Sandra Ankleknits from Ankleknits said 3 years ago
Beautiful, and very inspiring story.
Libby from goldeluxe said 3 years ago
I love how many mediums there are for jewelry making. Lovely work!
monika popowitz miasole from miasole said 3 years ago
Your work is beautiful! Congratulations on the feature. I get the sensitivity of each petal...beautiful!
Nora Quinonez from NoraQuinonez said 3 years ago
Eri your work is just beautiful..your work space is so great and practical...best of luck ...congrats! NQ
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
I really like that quote: Keep an idea that you can write down on a stamp. This shop really shows the minimalism idea.
Cat Encio Dolls from CatEncioDolls said 3 years ago
Lovey Studio! Congratulations ! Cat ><
Lisa Trompke said 3 years ago
Now THAT is what "handmade" is. Beautiful!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 3 years ago
Wow! Your designs are breathtaking. Love the minimalist aspect, too. Congrats!
Aphrodite Lucky Rat from LuckyRatJewellery said 3 years ago
Congratulations your work is very delicate!
mfc4158 said 3 years ago
Mare Croix, as a 50 year old youngster, I found myself sitting all day in an art class! Now, I write also. And you from architect to delicate fine jewelry! Congratulations! May God bless you in all you do.
bella bring from BellasBoxesStore said 3 years ago
Beautiful! That calm, focused, meditative feeling you say you experience while making your jewelry really comes through in the final product. Thanks and best of luck to you!
Arnaz Sunkersett from osofreejewellery said 3 years ago
Gorgeous work!! Congratulations on the feature!!
sylviawilson1058 said 3 years ago
Your work is beautiful, I love your design. Congrats. : )
Maria Zampelas from MariaZampelas said 3 years ago
Beautiful and romantic. Really lovely work! Wishing you every success.
Olivia Ewing Obercian from OliviaEwingJewelry said 3 years ago
How cute! I love the beautiful soft colors you use. Congratulations on the feature and your success! xo
corinne gegot from GegotPaintings said 3 years ago
Great shop . Beautiful work ! Your jewelry is artwork
estela bandiera said 3 years ago
Por favor :Comentarios, descripciones y explicaciones en ESPAÑOL/ castellano. Muy amables por permitri las sugerencias !! Atte. Estela
Jude Gelinas from jeeplady2012 said 3 years ago
Simplistic Beauty !
Jennifer Church from PeachesNCreamQuilts said 3 years ago
Very inspiring story. I wish her all the success in the WORLD! Jennifer-PeachesNCreamQuilts
Marina Montach from PorcelainbyMontach said 3 years ago
Very nice! Delicate and feminine..
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 3 years ago
Beautiful designs! Love your gift boxes. All the best, ERi. PS, beautiful work space.
Sonja from LapCatYarnCo said 3 years ago
Gorgeous!!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 3 years ago
Gorgeous and lovely pieces. Congrats on the feature.
Violeta from Cintura said 3 years ago
Love it!! Where can one see your creations for walls?
Sharon from YearsAfter said 3 years ago
Beautiful Modernist Florals! Congrats on the feature!
Svetlana Nosacheva from Svetolia said 3 years ago
The flower theme is very close to me! You have great jewelry, really liked!