"Body adornment is one of the most time enduring and artful forms of self-expression. Choosing a piece of jewelry is a very personal experience, the chosen piece must nearly speak to the wearer. My intention when designing a piece is directly connected to my aesthetic, taste & style. During my design process and metal working there is a similar intimate exchange between the piece and myself as the designer.

I love the qualities of metal and the process of creating with metal. Ultimately, I strive for each piece to challenge the senses, achieve a fluidity which I believe happens by a combination of designing a sculptural form and embellishing the surface with beautiful finishes and texture. The use of materials other than metal also receive great consideration, such as; fabric, leather, plastics and stones. I hand select each stone based on its interest as an object. I try to achieve a harmony between form, texture and scale which are intended to create pieces that are complicated yet simple.

Inspiration for my jewelry comes from both organic and architectural forms. My background in architecture influences the idea of cleanliness of a line in streamlined architectural forms. Organic and floral motifs are inspired by my travels and Hungarian embroidery of my childhood. I strive for what is in-between the two positions; contrasting use of architectural elements with floral and organic patterns." Erika Mihaly Simon