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Following in unconventional footsteps
Including all its variations, people in general like to use the quote, “When one door closes, another one opens.” I found this sentiment to be true when I met New York-based designer Michael Pereira.
Born to a family of jewelers in Miami, Michael spent his childhood shadowing his bench jeweler father Raymond, learning how to cast links, carve molds and turn metal into art.
In addition to making jewelry, the senior Pereira also had an unorthodox yet interesting hobby--he collected odds and ends discarded from animals, like horse molars and rattlesnake tails, and made molds out of them to later create jewelry.
Michael was engaged in a career as a musician and sound engineer on the West Coast when his father passed away in 2005 (door closes). But Raymond’s presence didn’t vanish completely; he left his son his studio--bench, tools and molds (door opens). Reconnecting with these items brought back strong memories of bonding with his father, and Michael shipped the equipment to New York City to set up his own studio, both to revive his father’s legacy and establish his own style as a jeweler.
Part of the Animus Collection, the two-finger snake ring comes from a mold left by Michael’s father. Made in sterling silver ($355).
The Michael Raymond brand was created in 2011, and now is comprised of four collections that marry Raymond Pereira’s molds (and now Michael’s) with sterling silver, brass and 24-karat gold plating with gemstones, including jade, crystal and calcite.
From the Arm Our Collection, the 5 Bomb ring mold came from vintage model bombs. Made in sterling silver ($285).
“I get a kick out of using and combining different elements which normally would not go together,” Michael said. “I love to re-invent interesting objects and give them new functions or a surprising new sense of style. It’s fun to let me imagination create clever new uses for intriguing and beautiful things.”
From the Tongue & Cheek Collection, the “Rock Out” Throwing Signs charm is made in sterling silver ($225). The mold comes from a lollipop given to the jeweler on Halloween.
Interesting and edgy, Michael’s designs take ordinary, odd, lost or forgotten objects and turns them into wearable art with a story. His designs are produced in New York and are available on a limited-edition basis. Find out more on the Michael Raymond website.
The Sweet Sound of Music necklace tie made in sterling silver ($525) is part of the Tongue & Cheek Collection.
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