Transforming Old into New

Sien Lewis, like all good artists, is able to transform isolated elements into a new form, and enhance that new form’s beauty.

A former graphic designer, and a painter, the Bridgewater resident's latest venture through her business Sien C. Designs is creating custom jewelry from items that exist in other forms, and recreating them as a new piece of art—in this case jewelry.

“I love jewelry and have always been inspired by old vintage things,” she said from her home office. ”This jewelry is about found objects, finding beauty in a small piece that exists.”

Lewis is forever searching for vintage lace. Once she finds an appealing piece, she isolates a pattern and that pattern becomes one her unique jewelry pieces.

Creating a jewelry piece, Lewis said, involves finding an appealing piece of lace, making a mold from the piece and, from there, casting silver or brass into that mold. The result is intricately formed patterns that could be said to resemble snowflakes, and which make very unique pendants.

“These pendants are small works of art whose form and beauty have been taken from something existing to stand on its own,” Lewis said. “A shape within an old crocheted doily or piece of lace is now captured in precious metal to be enjoyed in a whole new light.”

Lewis said that 30 years ago her mother gave her a book called "Found Objects." Her inspiration to create great art and jewelry comes from a desire to take everyday objects that may not be initially considered art, or even important, and making them the centerpiece. 

One example of her work is the "Kimberly" Pendant, created in honor of Kimberly Nelson, a member of the class of 2010, who passed away in September 2009. The flower-like pendant is available in sterling silver and brass, and is created in memory of Nelson.

Lewis has generously offered to donate all profits from the sale of the "Kimberly" pendants and pins to the Kimberly A. Nelson Foundation, which was established in 2010 to honor Nelson's memory to give scholarships to theater students.

Aside from this, Lewis said she has yet to create a men's piece, but has recently received several requests for such an item.

"I can get something like a cross going or something geometric," she said.

While she continues to work on that, Lewis said that customers young and old are drawn to her jewelry.

"I have had people buy the smaller pieces for young girls from age 9, and I have had people buy for people up to age 70," she said.

Lewis sells her pieces online, and also participates in craft fairs. In a few weeks, she will be appearing at the Raritan Valley Country Club Holiday Boutique in December. 

More information about Lewis' jewelry can be found on her website at siencdesigns.com.