Cathy Heinz is the second place winner in Turtle Love Co.‘s first Engagement Ring Design Contest. Her winning design, the Lady of the Lake Engagement Ring, is now available on the Turtle Love Co. website in sterling silver with a white topaz, white gold with a diamond, and white gold with a sapphire. We asked Cathy Heinz some questions so that you can get to know her better!

Cathy Heinz, second prize winner of Turtle Love Co.’s first Engagement Ring Design Contest

Where are you from/where do you create your jewelry and what kind of jewelry do you wear?

I was born in Louisville, KY. My studio is in my home. My studio is bursting to the seams, but it’s actually pretty well organized. There are so many little parts in jewelry! I added two big picture windows so that I could have more light and look outside…I wear pieces that I make for myself, not always things I would sell. I tend toward a modern look, not fussy or too precious. I like large earrings. I actually am on my second engagement ring (the first one was stolen!). I’ve never reset it (I was happy to get a second ring!) — it’s a traditional marquise diamond solitaire. It and my wedding band are very slim 18k yellow gold.

What made you want to become a jeweler and how long have you been designing jewelry?

I really can’t remember a time when I didn’t [design jewelry]. When I was about 4, I made earrings for my mother for Mother’s Day that were seashells painted with fingernail polish with clips glued on the back. She actually wore them to church! My poor Mom! I was always begging my aunts for their castoff costume jewelry so that I could take it apart and put it back together in new ways. I got serious about metalsmithing because I wanted to make rings. I started out at MECA (Maine College of Art) with Pauline Warg, and then took other classes with her, Kate Wolf, Jayne Redman, and Blaine Lewis. They are the gold standard of teaching jewelry making skills. It became a profession because I needed to sell some things so that I could support my jewelry “habit”!

How has your work evolved over time and what do you love about being a jeweler?

Since I like to experiment so much and learn new techniques, it took me a while to settle down into a “look,” but my designs are typically simple, modern, refined, feminine, but not cutesy. I sometimes feel as if art jewelry today is made with the mantra “when in doubt add another stone,” as if that will solve all design flaws, but I don’t particularly like that. [What I like best about being a jeweler is] being able to execute what I imagine. I especially like doing commissioned work for people who want a meaningful piece of jewelry. Being able to participate in their lives that way is something special.

Lady of the Lake Engagement Ring, the second prize winning design in Turtle Love Co.’s first Engagement Ring Design Contest