Emily Budd: Sculptor and Jewelry Maker

Emily Budd has been sculpting for more than 10 years, but lately due to her all new wholesale midi rings purchase she’s stumbled into the world of jewelry. Her carefully sculpted wearable art evolved serendipitously, with pieces reminiscent of her sculpting style.

Her interest in 3D art stemmed from the appreciation of shared space, with artwork that has presence in an environment. Emily is inspired by nature and found objects like fossils and shells, and intrigued by protection—something grows in nature and naturally develops a hard shield or a sharp point to keep it alive. As a result, her jewelry is prominent, with a quality of danger and power.

Her jewelry is created by resin casting, resulting in a crystal-like object that’s hard and clear. The Lucite resin is very difficult to break and hand dyed in vivid colors. The result is edgy, tribal-like jewelry.

Emily creates these jewelry pieces as a side project to her sculptures, selling the pieces online on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilymariebudd). You can see Emily’s sculptures in various shows around Indianapolis, where she takes full advantage of the growing art scene.

 “There is so much support in Indy, and so many resources available to artists,” says Emily. “It’s a city full of shows you can be involved in, grants, public places to display work and of course very talented people.”

Currently, Emily is preparing for a show that will be happening in the fall, in which she will display bronze masks for attendees to try on and be photographed.

“I’m intrigued by interactive sculpture,” says Emily. “A mask is something that can be worn, which crosses into wearable art. Some of them cover one eye and not the other, or leave just the mouth free. Many people can look through it and wear it but they all share that piece in common.”

As for her jewelry, she’s looking forward to working with silver casting and more sculptural couture style necklaces. Keep an eye out for her work around the Indianapolis area.