Melissa Lew Jewelry
A native Virginian with Chinese-American heritage, Melissa Lew says her Garden of the East line of eco-friendly silver jewelry is strongly influenced “by both the Chinese culture’s esteem for nature and Virginia’s rich garden history.” Most striking are her earrings and necklaces with a cherry blossom design. Though it is a flower we associate with spring festivals in Northern Virginia, says Lew, “In Chinese culture it’s a symbol of feminine strength.” Lew carves the master mold for each cherry blossom out of precious metal clay, a type of art clay that contains recycled silver particles. She uses knives and files to carefully craft the fine details of the cherry blossom over the course of a few days before firing the clay in a kiln, which burns away the organic material so that jewelry made of what was once scrap silver emerges from the flames. $75-$100. MelissaLew.com
See all the Made in Virginia 2015 Winners!
Overall Winner
Fern and Roby, Richmond
Home
Monolith Studios, Charlottesville (category winner)
Huger Embroidery, Richmond
Duvall Designs, Millwood
Owen Suter’s Fine Furniture, Richmond
Style
Shockoe Atelier, Richmond (category winner)
Rockbridge Guitar Company, Charlottesville
Melissa Lew Jewelry, South Riding
North End Bag Co., Virginia Beach
Drink
Belle Isle Craft Spirits, Richmond (category winner)
Early Mountain Vineyards, Madison
Texas Beach, Richmond
LUMI Juice, Charlottesville
Food
Brown Dog Handcrafted Premium Ice Cream, Cape Charles (category winner)
S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Surry
Swover Creek Farms, Edinburg
Pennacook Peppers, Virginia Beach
Click here to see 2014 winners.
Click here to see 2013 winners.
Click here to see 2012 winners.
