Meet Heidi Abrahamson

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heidi Abrahamson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heidi below.

Hi Heidi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Being an artist is something I’ve always wanted to be. Bauhaus was and emphasis and influence growing up. I was the ultimate I design, art and innnovation. It took a lot of time to actually realize what I was good at. I wanted to be a painter, but failed miserably. I went to Indiana University to study twice. The second time was for Interior Design because I loved architecture, but anything to do with math, was problematic. The arts were highly respected and nurtured during my childhood. My German parents both had full time jobs, my father was a woodworker and my mother was a dental lab technician with her own lab. It’s where I learned about casting. I made a little wax peace symbol and my other cast it in gold for me, I still have and treasure it. On the side, they had an antique business. The had a vast amount of books and were always doing research, this all before computers. I loved fashion and lucked out getting a job as a visual merchandise/stylist at I. Magnin, like many retailers now defunct. Burberry was my favorite account when I decided to freelance. I injured my spine, as it was physically demanding, so after almost 20 decided that was enough. My husband and I, too started collecting and selling antiques, at first it was the Arts and Crafts Movement that we specialized in, then Mid Century Modern. Jewelry has always been a love of mine and when my other stared finding modernists pieces, like that from Georg Jensen, Hans Hansen, Niels Erik From and American Ed Levin, I paid attention. I started collecting pieces, as well.
I had to figure out what to do on my own, my own time with my physical limitations. One day, I was pawing through my collection of jewelry and thought, “Why can’t I do this?”.
I took a class at the now defunct Mining Museum that had a great studio work shop in the back for lapidary work and metal smithing. I was all in for a mere $50. I learned how to cast and solder. I thought that most my work would be cast, as that is what I knew from my mother’s dental lab, but learning to fabricate in silver was it. I found it. I.m not a fan of casting, but now if I have a custom job that requires it, I have some one else do it. Fabricating keeps my mind and hands busy. It’s almost instant gratification..
The rest, as they say is “history”.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started a little studio in my garage, but hot days in Arizona brought me inside and as our daughter moved out, I took over her room. I stated with very basic tools. I used a plumbers torch at first, but as my pieces got bigger, I noticed one day the plastic on the plumber’s torch started to melt. That could’ve been a disaster! I invested in an acetylene tank and torch. We had a Mid Century Modern shop and of course, I sold vintage pieces along with my own. My studio was in the front office of a brick building we rented in Phoenix. The shop was a lot of fun, but I found self wanting to be in the studio more and my husband Douglas had been on eBay practically since it started selling his vintage Levi’s, Filson, cameras, old photos and ephemera. Mid Century Modern started to hit the mainstream in retail, so we closed our shop and concentrated on the things we loved to do.
There was a website called Modern Silver that also had a forum for questions, and articles about modernists jewelers. The head of the Modern Silver website was author Marbeth Schon, who became a friend and mentor. We stared communicating, I showed her my work. There was positive reinforcement from someon so knowledgeable, it was very exciting. Marbeth curated a show in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and with that another book written by Marbeth “Form and Function: American Modernist Jewelry, 1940-1970. I told her that I would certainly be there at the opening!
She asked me to bring some of my pieces. I flew home to Indiana and grabbed my mother and we drove to Fort Wayne.
The exhibit, Ill never forget feeling the excitement of walking into the exhibit. My jaw dropped, my heart raced. Every well know jeweler, architect and artists was represented. Bertoia, Calder, Levin, both Tod and Earl Pardon (father and son), Peter and Daniel Macchiarini (father and son), I could go on and on. It was one of the best experiences in my life.
Then I thought, “OMG, Marbeth wants to see my work.” Insecurities set in.
Marbeth introduced herself, she was a petite woman with the sweetest voice and personality. Then she asked to se my work. I was sweating bullets. I said very quietly, “You don’t have…” she interrupted me and ask if she could have all my pieces (about 20) for her gallery in Natchez. Mississippi. I thought I’d faint. This woman has seen it all.
About a month later, she wrote an article about me, she said my work reminded her of Friedrich Becker. The article was called “Heidi Abrahamson: Balancing Act. Again, I cried.
Marbeth Passed away from cancer in 2015. I had lost a friend and mentor. The website, sadly, no longer exists. Martha Trachtenberg, who was the editor and lives in New York since has stated a group on Facebook. I got to meet Martha in NYC during my first show in NYC. The show was at the
Egg Collective Showroom by the Female Design Council. The show was called “Designing Women II; Masters Mavericks & Mavens. This time I was a part of a amazing group of past and present designers.
Mira Nakashima, George Nakashima’s daughter, Mimi Jung, Barri Ziperstein, Sonwai, Greta Magnusson Grossman, and one of my favorites that had designed for Georg Jensen. I had to pinch myself.
I had “arrived”.
“Spreading the word”….well, social media….first Facebook and then Instagram which proved to be the better of the two because it’s more “visual” than content.
I met Lisa Cliff of the Lisa Cliff Collection on 1stdibs at the Palm spring Modernism show. She knew Marbeth and was just as knowledgeable and her collection was incredible. The second year I attended, she had told me she was looking for a contemporary artist to go alone with her vintage and asked if she could sell my work. Well, of course! New York City Jewelry Week had found me as 1stdibs was one of there sponsors.
Still with my insecurities I chalk it up to luck, but there’s more to it than just luck.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
History. I’ve had a few one on one students and load them up with books! I was fortunate in my upbringing that history was instilled as an imperative. To make, to be inspired, you have to know your history. Today, Google is your friend. All the information is out there, free. Take it.
I’m still a big fan of books, we have an extensive library. We love to watch the Antiques Roadshow, too.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My father always called me “mein kleiner Künstler”, my little artist. He always encouraged me. My mother told me that I’d better take typing and shorthand in high school, yes, I’m that old, if I wanted a a job after I graduated. Hence, my insecurities.
I keep challenging myself, otherwise I get bored doing the same thing. Ive been inspired by the Memphis Movement, Brutal Architecture and my works convey that.
I feel that if I don’t push myself in a new direction, what’s the point of what I do.
I’m currently working on a new collection, but before I post it on Instagram, I’m looking into trademark and copyrights.
I’ve been copied and its infuriating, frustrating and absolutely deflating.
Plagiarism is horrible.
I have one big announcement, that I can hardly believe that is true. In the beginning of this interview, I stated how influential and important Bauhaus was in my upbringing.
In the latest publication by Assouline’s “ Bauhaus Style”, a ring I made is I the book. It’s the only piece of jewelry in the book.
Again, emotions ran high.
It’s the greatest sense of accomplishment to date.
I’m 67, Id be ok if I never made another piece of jewelry, I have those days, but then an idea hits me and its full steam ahead, like my newest collection.

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