2ETN is interested in redefining the concept of precious jewelry through their use of original art in a variety of mediums-this is the focus of their work. One-of-a-kind original art in graphite, oil & acrylic. Framed in exclusive jewelry using found period antiques, reclaimed precious metals & ethically sourced stones. Each custom made piece is a part of a larger collective story.

 

In the spirit of American portraiture and mourning miniatures from the 1700 to1800’s, husband and wife team, Pamela Tuohy and Edward Novinsky create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.  2ETN believes that precious stones and metals are not the sole elements from which jewelry derives its value, and this belief informs the philosophy behind the creation of their jewelry.

The name “2ETN” comes from the fusion of the phonetic pronunciation of Pamela’s last name (2E) and Edward’s initials (ETN).

A percentage of all 2ETN Jewelry sales go to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation’s Adopt-A-Buffalo Campaign in support of land recovery and Buffalo restoration, supporting ecology, economy, and culture surrounding the Buffalo.

 

 

An excerpt taken from an Interview in REFUELED magazine:

 

2ETN would like to redefine the concept of “precious” jewelry. How do you accomplish that goal?

First and foremost by staying aware and educated. Mostly by not buying in to traditional marketing in regard to what we “should” see as “valuable and precious”.  Besides the fact that we don’t see what is all that beautiful about a clear hunk of stone sitting in the middle of a bunch of metal, anyway. There are a whole lot of lobbyists and ad agencies and PR firms that have been telling us over the years what a symbol of marriage, luxury and beauty “should” be. We are much more attracted to the idea of art and true sentiment. When we began creating jewelry we also were studying about the negative effects that the jewelry industry has on culture (especially indigenous people) and the environment and did not want to be apart of that.  It was from that education that 2ETN was born: seeing imagery, as the focal point in jewelry and seeing value in that. The fact that over 20 tons of waste are created to make one gold ring and that lives are lost to mine a diamond were facts that we could not overlook. Two sources that we stay closely aligned with while creating our jewelry are:

Ethical Metalsmiths

No Dirty Gold

Our first line of jewelry, the now defunct line: Pamela Tuohy Jewelry, was created by sourcing vintage pieces and placing reproduced images with in those pieces. Supply and demand became an issue when sourcing vintage pieces became “trendy”. We were not able to compete (nor did we want to) with retailers and jewelry companies that were going oversees and having “vintage-like” pieces created for pennies. So we responded to that “problem” by creating a line of jewelry that ignores those demands and responds to like-minded people that want a piece of jewelry that is one-of-a-kind, created by a few artisans with all materials sourced ethically. We purchase our metals (mostly sterling)  from a ”green” supplier, we only use gold when it is the form of a vintage piece that we have collected, or have a sterling piece covered in “green” gold (vermeil). When using diamonds they come from a conflict free source and mostly from other vintage pieces. And instead of a huge center stone we place a one-of-a-kind hand painted or drawn image. We gather huge inspiration from the portrait miniatures from the 1700/1800’s and their highly personal associations. Our hope is that as consumers become better educated and more aware of the effects of their purchasing power that they will gravitate towards choosing items with value that are long lasting and created ethically. Things that can be handed down from generation to generation and tell a certain story.

What is the belief behind the 2ETN philosophy?

Finding balance and quality of life through love and respect and work.  We also believe   that precious stones and metals are not the sole element from which jewelry derives its value. This belief and deep interest and respect of Native American culture informs the philosophy behind our jewelry.

That we do for “work” and how we live our lives are one. Finding that balance between what we do for a living, how we live and who we are. They are all connected. The lines are magically blurred. Work (2ETN), family, friendships, gardening, exploring, etc., all tell the same story of interconnectedness and respect for each other and the environment.

Our hope is that 2ETN tells stories…weighted with meaning…obvious or not so. Expressions of joy, beauty, bereavement, joinings, separations, bonds, friendship, love, power, respect, healing, sentiment, birth…we believe that those stories should be told authentically and with care in a personal and in a “quiet” non-exploitative , non-trendy fashion.