We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stina （Siqiong） Wen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stina （Siqiong）, thanks for joining us today. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?

One of the most important things I learned in grad school is to have the courage to try and face failure. During my graduate study period, there was a greater emphasis placed on cultivating our independent study skills and exercising autonomy in selecting research topics or directions, rather than solely adhering to the guidance of professors. This is the best stage of trial and error. You have enough space to try anything you want, such as various materials, techniques, or design styles.
Regardless of the outcome, engaging in an endeavor offers valuable opportunities for personal growth. Sometimes doing something wrong is not failure, but success in ruling out a possibility.

Stina （Siqiong）, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am recognized in the field as a contemporary jewelry designer who has pioneered the innovative use of soft concrete as a material. The process of developing this unique material spanned over a period of more than two years, and my soft concrete jewelry series has garnered significant attention, leading to interviews across various social platforms and invitations to participate in international exhibitions.

Following my graduation, I pursued a career as a custom designer for a fine jewelry company based in New York. Unlike contemporary jewelry which is more focused on artistic self-expression, I started using more precious metals and gemstones to make one-of-a-kind designs according to the client’s inquiries.

While contemporary jewelry and commercial jewelry represent distinct fields, I find great passion in both and intend to continue my creative endeavors in both domains. For a more comprehensive understanding of my work, please visit my personal website www.stinajewelry.com, or explore my Instagram account @stina_jewelry.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist, I have the freedom to express my creativity and bring something new and unique into the world. I don’t have to adhere to specific guidelines or predefined structures. I can experiment, take risks, and explore uncharted territories. This sense of freedom allows me to have the power to shape my ideas, emotions, and vision into tangible art pieces and opens up endless possibilities for self-expression and innovation.
In my artistic creation process, due to the absence of constraints imposed by the inherent properties of materials, I have been able to explore and innovate with soft concrete as a medium, successfully incorporating it into my contemporary jewelry.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

One of my pieces of advice is to show your authenticity. While high-quality images are desirable, don’t let the pursuit of perfection overshadow the authenticity of your content. Your followers may be more interested in seeing the genuine behind-the-scenes moments, including the inspiration, or work-in-progress. Sharing these aspects can help foster a deeper connection with your audience and make them feel involved in your artistic journey. Consistency in updating your platform is indeed important. Regularly posting updates about your work demonstrates your dedication and commitment to your craft. It keeps your followers engaged and gives them a sense of anticipation for what you’ll share next.
I believe social media is a tool to showcase your creativity, connect with your audience, and build a brand. Finding the right balance between quality, authenticity, consistency, and engaging content will help you maintain and grow your online presence while staying true to your artistic vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stinajewelry.com
• Instagram: @stina_jewelry
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stina-wen-97967583/
• Other: Wechat Official Account: StinaJewelry

Image Credits
Photography: Jacqueline Kyuseo Kim Model: Aviana DiPasqual Styling: Karen Kwan