the oigi Story…

OIGI Design is the brainchild of me, Amie Preston. When I discovered working with metal I had just start my twentieth year of work as an executive for a fast-paced fitness corporation. On a whim, I signed up to take a silversmith class from an older gentleman, quite a character, who started making jewelry when he was 11 years old. In that first class I had a moment of clarity, an OIGI moment, it was life changing. I knew I found what I wanted to do the rest of my life. After several years of instruction and planning I said goodbye to the corporate world.

For the past eighteen years I’ve been following my dream of designing and producing one-of-a-kind handcrafted wearable art. Each piece of jewelry I create tells a story. It carries meaning and has symbolism that’s often inspired by the form and flow of the recycled metal or the color, shape and patterns found in handpicked stones.

An example of that symbolism is the wedding ring I made and wear, my “brass ring”. The story and symbolism behind my ring comes from the heydays of the carousel, between 1880 and 1921. Back then while riding the carousel you could reach out and, if you were lucky, you could grab a brass ring and get a prize. Well, my brass ring is my husband Patrick, he’s my prize.

It really does take a village to sustain a small business of custom jewelry and I’m not alone in this process. I have a huge support team of family and friends. And you, whether you’re a follower, amazing student or wonderful person wearing my art you’re on that support team too. Thank you very much!

​My wish for you is that you find your own Oigi moments throughout life and always, wear jewelry with meaning.

My mom, Pat Preston in the studio making silver jewelry