About Us and our Materials
Our Story
We’re Erin and Una — a mother–daughter collaboration from Minneapolis creating one-of-a-kind and limited-release art jewelry. Each piece is designed and handcrafted by us, blending intuitive color, form, and texture. Our work is inspired by the natural world, our travels, and the changing seasons — all reflected through shifting palettes and carefully balanced color blocks.
We began by reimagining vintage jewelry and rediscovering forgotten beads from our shared art supply stash. What started as a creative experiment has grown into a modern jewelry studio rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and connection. Our designs blend artful composition with everyday versatility — slightly edgy, effortlessly wearable, and always evolving.
Materials & Techniques
We work primarily with repurposed and reclaimed materials: glass, gemstone, pearl, and metal beads sourced from small businesses, local bead shops, and second-hand finds. Many components are reimagined from vintage jewelry or crafted by hand in our studio.
Recently, we’ve expanded into silversmithing — creating original components, wrapping gemstones, and recycling silver. Every element is chosen with care, assembled by hand, and finished with attention to detail. While we can’t trace the origin of every bead, we are committed to sourcing responsibly and supporting small, independent sellers whenever possible.
The Painting That Inspires Us
Our name, Blue Girl Arts, comes from a painting that has lived in our family for more than a century. Blue Girl, a portrait of a woman in a blue dress, once hung in our great-grandmother’s home. Painted by a friend of our great-great-great aunt — an artist in early 20th-century New York — she has traveled with our family from New York to Milwaukee, San Francisco, and now Minneapolis.
After being lost for several years, Blue Girl was rediscovered in 2023, restored by a skilled Minneapolis framer, and now hangs in our home. She reminds us daily of the enduring power of art, history, and renewal — the same spirit that inspires every piece we create.