Marika Hura

Over the years, I have combined facets of practical design, materials, and art. It is impossible not to be influenced by the beautiful islands where I now live, and you will see Hawai`i in a lot of my work.

A long time ago, and about 4,800 miles away, my father had a jewelry shop. As a child, I'd watch as he negotiated in New York City's Diamond District and went on buying trips. In the shop, I'd sit on my own matching stool and he'd pass me his loop, keeping me occupied looking at the characteristics of stones. I also enjoyed learning how things were made; I went on to get my degree in Engineering. My spouse and I have never been shy about committing to foreign assignments. For several years at a time, we lived in Japan, then France. These stints abroad breathed life into my husband's unofficial "hobby," adapting to the driving style of "locals," whatever it may be, and dragging us to all manner of beautiful sights (and then some). Our hearts, however, have always been in Hawai`i, where my spouse was stationed when we were young, and I carried our first child while attending the University of Hawai`i. We knew we would return and have lived here for the past 15 years.

Hawai'i offered a wonderful opportunity to study metal smiting, my avocation. I love to work in metal, try various and different techniques, challenge myself to represent the curves of nature in a strong 3D form and to make thing comfortable as well as beautiful to wear. I am happiest working and planning my pieces. Perhaps this is because designing and making jewelry is an alchemy of my childhood experiences, my practicality as an engineer and my love of art in nature.

Thank you for visiting my website. Client satisfaction is important to me, please feel free to ask about my work, let me know how you feel about my product or commission a custom work.