Ann Widner: : Photography + Jewelry

Today we are visiting the studio of Ann Widner, photographer and jewelry designer.

Ann began making jewelry four years ago.

She was on hiatus from her freelance photography business when her cousin suggested that she incorporate her photography into jewelry components.

Everything Ann made received rave reviews from her friends, family and coworkers. She realized she was onto something.

She uses her own original photography and vintage family photos. This stained glass window detail is one of Ann's photographs from a local church.

She loves incorporating images from St. Louis and her travels into her jewelry.

Ann's home studio is light filled and meticulously organized.

She has surrounded herself with things that she loves.

This piece, "Immigrants" features photographs of her grandmother and great aunt as teenagers. They immigrated to the United States in the 1910s.

Ann's considers her beading style to be simple and classic.

She wants the focus of her art to be her photography.

The transition from photographer to jewelry designer was not effortless. Ann said it took her about a year to perfect her resin technique.

At one point she called the resin company directly because she had so many unanswered questions.

This Queen Anne's Lace photograph is one of her best sellers.

Ann finds herself in this space about three days a week.

Her resin technique requires that the humidity level in her studio be 50 percent or less, so winter is her best production season.

Her favorite tool is her drill press - it's not in this space. "It's so relaxing to hear the hum of the drill press," Ann said.

Ann also is thinking about diversifying her line. She's been experimenting with these antique wooden puzzle pieces from the 1930s.

You can find Ann's work locally at Salt of the Earth and The St. Louis Curio Shoppe.

Ann's website

Ann's etsy shop

Thank you Ann!