Las Cruces – For the 44th year, New Mexico State University’s Department of Art Jewelry and Metalsmithing program is opening its annual student jewelry sale to the community. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, inside the NMSU Bookstore.
Student creators and their work
Students have spent weeks shaping, carving, soldering and chemically dyeing each piece. Art minor Olivia Novello, for example, produced 3‑D star and articulated crab‑claw earrings using copper, silver wire and a hydraulic press. “Copper is my main medium, and I’m using silver wire to make the earrings,” Novello said. “I’m doing a lot of metal forming and pressing.”
Studio art major Piandria Shiner turned to copper to craft cuff bracelets and rings inspired by moths, which she described as “the underdog of transformation and resilience.” Meanwhile, Mia Martinez experimented with acrylic sheets, adding copper accents to create colorful, multi‑material pieces in purple, green, yellow and blue.
Sale details and pricing
All items are handcrafted and priced between $15 and $100, giving shoppers a range of options. Over the past month, participating students have produced at least 20 pieces each, preparing for the high‑volume sale. The NMSU Bookstore will display hundreds of these unique creations, offering locals and visitors alike the chance to own wearable art made by future designers.
“This is my first time making jewelry in this massive way. I am not used to the production style of making a bunch of things at once,” Novello explained. “It’s a little overwhelming, but it’s honestly really good practice.”
Community impact
The sale not only provides a platform for students to practice real‑world production skills, it also enriches the Las Cruces community by making original, affordable art accessible. Visitors can support emerging talent while finding a special piece for themselves or a loved one.
For more information, contact Azure Mitchell at [email protected].
Original reporting: Organ Mountain News (Las Cruces / Doña Ana County) — read the source article.
