AriDesigns Jewelry is the creation of Arriel Goodwin, an artisan/designer located in Matthews, North Carolina. AriDesigns was born when Arriel was asked to “reconstruct” some vintage jewelry from old beads and necklaces. Arriel fell in love with vintage and reclaimed materials, as well as custom jewelry design. She says “... There is a great sense of satisfaction from being able re-create family heirlooms into wearable new art pieces that can be passed down to future generations. One of the pieces that I re-created was given to a bride to wear on her wedding day!”

The company has expanded into designing pieces made with organic materials, such as seeds, nuts, shell, bone, horn and wood. No endangered materials are used in the making of the jewelry and limestone coral is used as a substitute for real coral. Arriel also designs specialty bangle bracelets that are made from wood and paper and decoupaged with imported French design paper. The effect appears to be painted on, and each piece is a unique artisan design.

What’s next for AriDesigns? Arriel says her company was recently selected from over 700 international applicants as a semifinalist for a $1,000.00 grant from a top website for small business. She hopes to use the exposure to gain a wider audience and branch out into international marketing.

You can view many of her products at Yessy Art Gallery (www.yessy.com/aridesigns), or visit her website at www.ari-designs.com for more info.