Art & DesignAUG 20, 2022

15 Years Of Jewelry: My Evolution As A Jewelry Artist (2007-2022)

My name is Orion Ivliev, I was born in Israel to parents of Moldovan origin.

I grew up in a household filled with my Mothers artworks and had grown by her artistic values which had shaped me as an artist and as a person.

I always knew since I was little that I wanted to be an artist, though I couldn't put a finger on the type of artist that I wanted to be.

My mother at first was strictly against it, she tried to protect me from the misfortunes and bad experiences that she had experienced as an artist, living a difficult life. This was all understandable to me, however, I didn't see myself doing anything else.

I started my Journey when I was 13 years old (2007).

I occupied myself with polymer clay sculpting, I started creating cupcakes and other cute foods, it started purely as a hobby at first, however, as time progressed I understood that I am in my element and that Jewelry is what I love creating and love seeing people wear.

After 3 years of polymer clay creations in 2010, I stumbled upon steampunk and its distinct characteristics. It fascinated me.

I have started creating 'Ready-Made' pieces which involved parts that I have dismantled, found, bought, and glued together to form a new piece with a new composition.

During the 6 (!) years I have been creating steampunk I had the honor to appear in an Art Book Spurgeon Vaughan Ratcliffe -'STEAMPUNK JEWELRY' alongside some of my favorite artists such as 'Catherinett Rings'.

I was one of the only steampunk jewelry artists in my small country of Israel. It just made me understand that I am doing something right.

My mother however still did not support this Idea, although she saw that I was somewhat successful.

It was after I finished Highschool at age 18 (2012) that I decided to study with a private teacher and to refine my skills and develop my portfolio so I can study this professionally.

My teacher was very tough with me, which I appreciate. - He taught me how to draw and Saw. ( I still didn't know how to solder).

Since 16 my dream was to study Jewelry design in one of the 2 only colleges that Israel offers in the sphere.

It was also then when my mother finally realized that I was authentically and unapologetically myself, Since then she had been like a pillar of support in my life and had unconditionally pushed me forward to succeed and to be better.

Because I only knew how to saw metal, I set for hours each day and sawed my life away, becoming precise and fast like a laser machine. I found it therapeutic and exciting that I was finally not limited to found materials and could finally create things that I drew and express myself more vividly.

In 2016 ( Finishing my military service of 3 mandatory years) I had been accepted to 'Shenkar College of Engineering and design. My teenage dream came true and I finally got to study my passion as a B.A Degree.

The IDF and my military Unit had decided to grant me a scholarship for my second year in college, which for me was a shocker. I never thought that our military would support a thing such as jewelry design as this scholarship was usually given to realistic disciplines such as coding, medicine, and other nonartistic types of spheres.

Throughout my degree, I have come to understand my DNA as a designer, what motivates me to create, and what are my preferred techniques.

I explored emotions and how they are transmitted through jewelry, and how can jewelry provoke emotional responses from the wearer or the viewer.

During my college years, I have had the honor to partake in various exhibitions around the world and take part in different competitions in the field of jewelry.

My Graduation project revolved around the synthesis of jewelry (Body Pieces) and scents, and how smells affect emotions and can change negative emotions to more positive ones. I had came to understand that I love creating body and facial pieces that cannot be fully categorized as jewelry, I have also learned that I love creating rings more than any form of jewelry.

I finished my degree and became a professional certified jewelry designer at age of 26 (2020).

During and prior to my studies in college I had also studied 4 years of stone setting at 'Maziars School of high arts' as well as Diamond grading in the Israeli Gemological Laboratories.

I also realized one of my main goals which is to have my own Studio, fully equipped with all the tools that I need to create.

As of today, I define myself as a geek jewelry designer. I love games and the world of Sci-fi and fantasy, which I always had. This to me also embodies a lot of emotions such as cuteness, joy, and nostalgia.

I thrive to be THE geek jewelry designer and am working now on releasing my Passion project and jewelry inspired by it while also doing fanart jewelry of games and series which I like.

I know that I never could give up on my dreams and I always dreamt big, cause I know that worst case if I reach for the stars I will land on the moon. I am 28 years of age now, and I do not see myself doing anything else but the things I love and believe in. Using jewelry as my main medium of communication and self-expression.

To me Jewelry can be much more than a pretty ring or engagement offering, it can take various shapes and be on various parts of the body, moreover, I believe wholeheartedly that when you do what you love, you are in sync with the universe and it will always bring you to the right path. I am living proof.

I hope that this post had inspired you, to stay loyal to yourself and try to enjoy what you do, even if sometimes it can feel differently. You do you.

you can see more of my works on my Instagram page (Linked)

More info: Instagram

Polymer Clay Rainbow cakes (2007)

My First Steampunk Bug pendant (2010)

Steampunk Unicron Pendant (2011)

Egyptian Scarab inspired steampunk pendant (2012)

Body Piece from the Steampunk Jewelry book - Spurgeon Vaughn Ratcliffe

Piece- Orion Ivliev
Model- June Yune Ni
Photographer- Nati Keren

One of my most elaborated hand-sawn pieces inspired by Alice in wonderland by Mcgee. (2012)

An outfit from my first Runway show which I made in Halloween of 2012

Pieces- Orion Ivliev
Photo- Jakob Borodetsky
Model- Ann Berkovich

Kokoshnik-Kalachnikof photoshoot isnpired by LittleBig Band (2014)

Pieces and production- Orion Ivliev
Model: Zlata Chaban
Photographer- Nati gold

Mechanical profile handmade pendant (2016)

Shenkar College (2016- first year) - Tear Dropper face piece, inspired by Arthur Ganson.

Shenkar College (First year- 2016) , Tongue extension pieces inspired by Rebecca Horn

SENSE OF DECAY - Editorial for MarsPM
Photo & Creative by Shay Kedem Calabrese
Mua by Ben Kader
Hair by Idan Bakshi
Style & Production by Moshe Avramove
Model - Ira for MarsPM
models - Karina & Shaked
Tongue jewelry by Orion Ivliev