Adnohia is a Japanese jewelry designer based in Pasadena, California.
Her background in architectural design gives her creations unique form and structure, combining traditional silversmithing with digital design techniques.
In 2015 she launched (in)Somnia, a purposefully ambiguous line of beautiful and surreal forms that convey an expression of self-exploration, self-forgiveness and self-acceptance.
The collection is inspired by living things in nature, but instead of replicating their forms, Adnohia reduces them to their defining elements and reconstructs them as new concepts of wearable sculpture. No mere ornaments, these fine pieces speak directly to the wearer’s sense of nostalgia.
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I spent most of my late 20s suffering from depression and anxiety disorder. I was an aspiring architectural designer but was struggling. I was in not so healthy relationships, and 400+ monthly work hours didn't help. Eventually I had to stop pursuing my dream to be an architect, something I always wanted to be since I was a low teen, and that destroyed me. I lost my identity. I didn't wanna die, but I didn't wanna live. I had no reason to live.
It's when I started making jewelry that I found peace again. I was always making jewelry with beads, carved wood and living plants when I was young, and now I had knowledge of 3D modeling and 3D printing to make more substantial pieces. Experiences from the past started to connect to each other and I gain the sense of reconnection to myself. I realized that I had to create to keep moving forward.
So I did. I made to live - not to make living but to breath. And I started to sell so that I can keep making, not the other way around. Now I make jewelry to share my experience.
My jewelry is neither about fashion trend or being cute, nor of shiny stones or conventional $ value, and it's not for everyone. It's an armor for those of who need a little something to survive today. It's an amulet for one to remember that everything they go through will become beautiful part of who they are.
When my piece goes to your hand, I hope it brings you hope and courage to keep moving forward in your life.
xo,
Adnohia
