Heather A. Wobbe - Owner | Designer | Artisan
Modern Artifacts was born from my experiences working on archaeology digs and in museum basements, creating handmade jewelry that blends ancient and ethnic silhouettes with contemporary design. Growing up seeing the world with a pilot for a father and my love of studying other cultures/anthropology, mixed with a personal exploration of the concept of maximal/minimalism, all distill down to form my unique globally inspired Neo-Bohemian aesthetic - creating something fresh, yet nostalgic for the modern urban nomad.
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Excavating in Houston's Historic Freedman's Town, as well as my time as a Curatorial Assistant for the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Stone Fort Museum of Nacogdoches allowed me to have an intimate connection to history when handling the artifacts and documenting specimens. Being able to touch literal pieces of history, I was able to truly appreciate the textures and patinas time leaves on all things and I strive to capture that preciousness with the ease of your favorite piece of jewelry.
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I began metalworking in high school, were I attended Second Baptist in Houston, TX and participated regularly in the TAPPS State Art Competitions - winning the State Ring for Fine Art my junior year. I later graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2013 where I studied anthropology, oil painting, life drawing, cultural and historical metalworking techniques, and advanced chemical patination processes - now specializing in creating my own solutions that I paint on in layers with a torch.
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Known for my hammered gold textures and signature patina, I hand finish each design creating a truly unique piece of jewelry each time. I work with recycled 14K gold and gold filled materials, sterling silver, nu-gold, bronze, copper, and shibuich as well as ethically sourced and conflict free raw diamonds, fossils, geodes, stalactites, lapis lazuli, amethyst, rose quartz, white howlite, Italian red coral, and other stones. Using crisp lines and simple geometry as a vehicle to celebrate the beauty of the raw materials in different states, the pieces appear both polished and new, as well as worn and aged reinforcing the Neo-Boho style. Whether using a mirror-like polish, patina, a sandblaster, or 23K gold leaf, contrasting finishes define my work and give it the graphic quality which lends it its identity.
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I currently have an "Artist in Nesting" position as a designer creating a capsule collection for Magpies and Peacocks, a Houston-based 501c3 focusing on creating sustainable and ethically made fashion, accessories, art, and decor using recycled and post consumer materials left over from the fashion and design industries. I am also a proud graduated from the Artist INC Class of 2018 through the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs with the City of Houston being chosen out of many to be one of the 25 local artist and designers incubated through this juried entrepreneurial program.
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I have been a featured designer on NBC's Naturally Danny Seo, FOX26 news, KPRC's Houston Life, Houstonia Magazine, Be Camera Ready on 102.5 fm, Artist INC, Launch HTX, VisitHouston, and more. Please feel free to contact us with any press inquiries.
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