Find Art in Jewelry in South Philadelphia

These days, finding handmade jewelry can be as easy as finding a cell phone. But finding quality and art in the jewelry is a completely different treasure to find. Luckily, it exists in South Philadelphia. The Purl, located on 1138 South 9th Street, is the studio for local artist and self taught Lithuanian jeweler Zivile Pupinyte.

“I learn from experimenting… trying different materials and seeing what happens.” Pupinyte says. “Sometimes I get ideas with the materials… like in the new collection I’m using stainless steel pieces from the hardware store. They’re pieces that are used for pluming, and I’m using them in jewelry, mining them with precious stones.”

Her jewelry has been showcased in multiple shows and is also sold in at least four different boutiques in the South Philadelphia area, keeping the jewelry culture symmetric, so to speak.

“I like the symmetry [of nature]. I like to combine two things that you wouldn’t think to combine, or you wouldn’t think would work together or that even wouldn’t go together in jewelry, but look really beautiful.”

Since opening her business in 2005, Pupinyte has been making art in her jewelry and selling in the South Philadelphia area. Her newest show will be in early June. For more details on ZivileArt or The Purl, please visit zivileart.com.

By Anna Palij and Matthew Pitts, Team 16, South Philadelphia