Interview!
Jewelry Inspired by Nature/The poetic craftsmanship of Ingrid La Haye
When you enter the world of Ingrid La Haye, you don't just encounter jewelry; you are invited into a world where the silence of nature speaks, where textures of bark and the shimmer of water find new life in silver, gold, bronze and copper. Based in the Netherlands, La Haye has spent more than two decades capturing the elegance and raw beauty of the natural world in wearable art. "Jewelry Inspired by Nature," as she calls it, and rightfully so.
La Haye graduated cum laude from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, where she developed a multidisciplinary foundation that continues to shape her work. "Artistic expression, originality and aesthetics are all in service of the final piece," she explains. Her creations are not merely decorative; they are sculptural, tactile stories of organic life. "Many of my designs could easily be scaled up and placed in a garden or home as stand-alone artworks."
Nature as muse
From a young age, she was drawn to the world of jewelry. But it was after her years at the Academy that her passion took root and began to bloom. Today, her practice is deeply intertwined with the rhythms of nature. "I walk, I observe and I am constantly enchanted by what I see: the ripples on the water, the texture of moss or tree bark, the shifting light, the perfume of the seasons," she says. These impressions find their way back into her studio, where she transforms them into statement rings, asymmetrical necklaces or playful earrings. Always with a signature organic twist. One of her muses is the Jacaranda tree. The seed pods and leaf structures inspire sculptural earrings or pendants that convey not only form but emotion. "I feel the essence of a shape," she says, "something that touches me deeply. That becomes the spark for a design."
Intuitive craftsmanship
Sustainability is central to La Haye's philosophy. She works with various precious metals, finding beauty in the reformation of materials. Melting and casting silver becomes a dance of chance and choice; a process in which form is guided as much by intuition as by hand. "Recycling doesn't waste any material and the melted silver forms irregular, unique shapes. I select the most striking fragments and bring them together into a new, unified piece," she explains. Alongside metals, gemstones play an intuitive role. "Form comes first," she says. "And sometimes the form simply asks for a pearl, a diamond or a hand-cut glass gem." Her studio is often scattered with moonstones, labradorite, malachite and pieces of Paua shell, waiting for that one perfect match. "And then suddenly I see it. That's the one," she laughs.
A fluid process
La Haye's creative process is fluid. Ideas often arrive at night and she quickly jots them down in one of her many sketchbooks. From there, the piece begins to take shape. "The design evolves during the making. I stay open to what unfolds." Even when working on commissions - such as wedding or memorial pieces - there's room for spontaneity, guided by the emotion and meaning of the piece. "These are often deeply personal. Our conversations go beyond materials; we talk about life, memories, transitions. I take my time with clients. There's coffee, tea, maybe a glass of wine. That openness is essential to what follows." Her toolkit is as diverse as her inspirations: from hammering, heating, folding, casting, to cold and hot forming, La Haye applies innovative silversmithing methods to create contemporary, tactile forms. Her signature? A hidden twist, a clasp that is part of the design, a texture that only reveals itself up close, an asymmetry that feels perfectly balanced.
Connecting art to life's milestones
La Haye's work has been exhibited both in the Netherlands and abroad, including Scheveningen, Greece and Kasteel Groeneveld. She's a familiar presence at events such as the National Silver Day in Schoonhoven, the Brabant Art Fair in Tilburg and the Kunst 10-daagse in Bergen. "Meeting people, seeing their reaction, that exchange: it's always inspiring." When asked what she hopes people take away from her work, she doesn't hesitate. "Jewelry often marks a moment in someone's life; a milestone, a celebration, a farewell or a new beginning. I want to create something that holds that meaning. Something deeply personal." A ring may become a symbol of resilience. A necklace may carry the warmth of a memory. "A piece of jewelry often chooses the person," she says. "That's a beautiful thing to witness."
Nature's essence in wearable form
Looking ahead, La Haye is guided not by rigid plans, but by a sense of openness. "Life is an endless journey of discovering, creating and sharing," she says. "I let the next steps unfold naturally." At the upcoming Europe Art Fair, she will present a selection of her most recent work: one-of-a-kind necklaces, rings and earrings in silver, gold, copper and bronze. Sometimes refined, sometimes bold, always expressive. "A necklace that drapes around the neck like leaves touched by sunlight. A ring with that one twist. Earrings with a surprise. Each piece is meant to carry the essence of nature, close to the body."
- www.lahayejewelry.nl
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Written by Birgitta van der Linden, BLUSHtxt voor EuropArtFair Magazine 2025