Danielle Vaillancourt
[2002, Jewelry + Metalsmithing]

Based in Somerset, MA

DaVine Jewelry’s RISD Craft Gallery

Utilizing forms and textures from leaves grown in my herb garden, shells I’ve gathered, and other natural objects from my collection, I work mainly in sterling silver and bronze with semi-precious stones and pearl accents to create jewelry to bring people closer to nature. My work incorporates traditional metalsmithing techniques combined with fine metal clay work, and consists of small production lines, one of a kind pieces, and custom commissions. When the use of casting is needed for my small production lines, I carefully create each original model myself before bringing it to the caster to be molded and cast, and then use those castings to create finished and refined pieces of work.

With my jewelry, I hope to show people the details and beauty I see in the natural world, allowing them to carry these objects with them as wearable sculptures, reminding them of things often overlooked and taken for granted in everyday life. My goal is to bring people closer to nature, helping them feel more connected when they glance down at the ring on their hand or reach up to touch the pendant around their neck.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

Finding time to be outside in nature, even when I feel like there are other “more important” things I should be doing is the key to fueling my creativity. I’ve been slowly building up my backyard garden area to be a creative and relaxing haven, and during the warmer months I spend a lot of time out there, finding inspiration and peace as I tend to my plants. Some of my most recent best ideas for new work have come to me while I’ve been out there gardening!

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

During my time at RISD, I began working with nature objects for inspiration in my jewelry. My senior thesis project focused on using acacia seedpods and seashells recreated in metal for their intriguing and unique shapes and textures. I enjoyed creating work focused on showing them in a way that really made people look at the details of these beautiful natural objects. Nature remains the primary focus of my work, and I still include a few pieces in my lines that I started developing while I was in school. Our professors always drove home that small details mattered and could make even the simplest pieces more extraordinary, and that is something that I carry with me to this day.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

My main source of inspiration is the natural world, and I spend a lot of time paying attention to all the details around me. I have an ever-growing collection of nature objects, and I’ve learned to always take containers or bags along with me to collect things in whenever I go on an outdoor adventure.

I love to go to the beach during the times when there’s fewer people around and it’s quieter so I can explore and find new treasures to inspire my jewelry. My backyard is full of plants whose leaves, flowers, and seedpods I draw tons of ideas from, including the sage plant that has inspired an entire line of work.

Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?

One of the new lines of jewelry I’m working on this summer is based on the leaves of a lupine plant (Miss Rumphius, anyone?!). I’m especially excited about it because, recreated in metal, they have an almost floral, bloom-like quality to them. Like the acacia pods I’ve worked with, which many people think look like waves, I love that they look a little bit like something more than simply a leaf.

Anything else you’d like to share?

With my jewelry, I hope to show people the details and beauty I see in the natural world, allowing them to carry these objects with them as “wearable nature”, reminding them of things often overlooked and taken for granted in everyday life. My goal is to bring people closer to nature, helping them feel more connected to it when they glance down at the ring on their hand or reach up to touch the pendant around their neck.

To see more of Danielle’s work, visit davinejewelry.com