Mary Jurek Design

Mary Jurek established Mary Jurek Design Inc. in 1998 after being presented with four international awards and working several years as a jewelry and watch artiste designing for notable brands including Piaget, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Wako of Tokyo, Gubelin of Switzerland, and Gump’s of San Francisco.

With a flair for learning foreign languages and a love of international cultures, the young Latin scholar began her college studies with aspirations of becoming a U.N. interpreter. But midway through her academic career, Jurek’s unyielding creativity drove her to switch gears and pursue a degree in fine arts. With a specialization in sculpting and oil painting, the aspiring artisan began setting the stage for her future as a world-class designer, traveling the globe and finding work in Geneva and New York with noted jewelry and watch producers.

Today, Jurek is a successful social entrepreneur and business owner residing in the greater Los Angeles area. Using her past experience working with stainless steel to guide her burgeoning luxury tableware and home design company, it is clear that she has developed a unique line of products that reflect both her personal and professional preferences: organic and unadorned yet beautiful in the most classic sense of the word.

In addition to her craftsmanship, a great majority of Jurek’s time is spent scouting female-owned factories in economically underdeveloped areas where her company can make a positive social impact through creating jobs for local villagers, particularly the oft- exploited young women.



How did you get started as an artist?

I was a daughter of an architect and had a natural ability for drawing. As a young child in grade school, I use to win awards for my drawings. When in college, I didn’t take my drawing abilities seriously and decided to pursue languages for hopes of a good career. However, as time passed, I changed my major to Fine Arts and graduated in painting and sculpture. My career started in the diamond industry, making jewelry. I thought this was a practical profession before realizing how much I wanted to pursue a career in art.

Who or what has influenced your art the most?
The most common response would be "nature" but I would have to take that a little further. The materials I am working with influence me. A designer must have a deep understanding and respect for the natural tendencies of the material. Those qualities initiate the direction and then the artist continues with the flow.

What is your studio like?
My studio is a combination of a large drawing board and two computers. The most sentimental item is my mechanical pencil that I bought 30 years ago. I still use it today and plan on never letting it go.

What do you keep in your studio to inspire you?
I keep lots of books, especially ones on archeology. I reference these books because shapes have not dramatically changed in time. That is, a bowl is still a bowl or vase is still a vase. What has been modified over time is the design detail. I also keep technical books on jewelry making, glass blowing and furniture.

Where are your pieces made?
My line is made in Thailand. I hand pick and closely work with my factories, taking good and kind care of the people. In third world countries, there are communities of workers where families work together. My pieces are made by metal workers in these communities and I now have 7 factories and 90 workers. We employ 2nd and 3rd generation metal workers whose families have made swords and other items for the King of Siam. I chose Thailand for my production because of their attention to detail and understanding of stainless steel.

What’s next in your work?
I am looking into blending more materials with stainless steel, finding other materials to enhance my line with new pieces.

Mary Jurek Collection