What Inspires This Jewelry Designer? The U.E.S., Obvi

The stereotypical NYC artist huddles in some dingy downtown nook or in Brooklyn, frequents beaten-up coffee shops, dive bars, and lesser-known galleries. But this is not the case for jewelry designer
Rebecca Shiffman, who pulls inspiration for her newest collection from a more traditional — if not more mainstream — backdrop. Using architecture and small details from buildings on the Upper East Side as her starting point, Rebecca casts molds for earrings, broaches, and bangles that would translate to "cool" far beyond that ultra-preppy neighborhood. And, in order to spread that vision from 88th and Park to the entire studded, cuffed, and bangled world, Rebecca launched a Kickstarter project, which is currently just $1,152 short of reaching its goal of $5,000. We're guessing that her neighbors could pitch in to show some local love, but in order to avoid any NYC 'hood rivalry, Shiffman should really check out some of the buildings south of 70th Street, too! (Kickstarter)