Bio:

Sasha Dubodel is an art historian and goldsmith from Gomel, Belarus, based in New York’s Hudson Valley. She received a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts and Art History from Union College, NY and a Master’s in Art History from the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU. Dubodel studied jewelry arts with various independent instructors in New York, and is continuing to constantly expand her technical knowledge through experimentation and self-teaching. At Studio Avdel she uses her uncommon combination of skills to focus on reinterpreting antique designs for today’s treasure hunters who appreciate pieces that don’t hide the human touch. Using traditional metalsmithing and ancient lost-wax casting techniques, Dubodel handcrafts small-run and one-of-a-kind pieces primarily using recycled metals. When not in the studio she can be found eating too many potato chips, researching, writing, and hiking with her husband and daughter.

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About my Work:

I fell in love with metalsmithing by accident. 

As an art historian,  I’ve always felt the pull not only to research and write about art, but to create it myself. Still, it wasn’t until my [then fiancé, now] husband decided to make me a wedding ring, a gesture which I could not let go unmatched, that I dipped my hands into working with metals, flame, and gemstones. Since then I have created pieces for friends and loved ones, and am now honored to share my passion with you - lovers or history, art, and the romance of the handmade. 

In my work I will sometimes directly quote historical designs, and at others I will create amalgams of elements gathered from across time periods and cultures to present you with jewels that have a vague air of coming from a place that existed long ago. 

Jewelry is considered to be the world’s oldest art form, predating painting and sculpture. In my designs I aim to create pieces that bring forward historical elements while remaining unquestionably modern.

Sasha Dubodel