There are also intensive eight-week
programs where students move around
the studio learning different techniques,
such as soldering with torches, as well as
workshops run by guest artists. “We just
had an artist give a course on a Japanese
technique known as Keum-boo,” she
says.
EatMetal also offers children’s classes,
both through after-school enrichment
programs and in-studio courses.
The space is also a gallery, where
people can come to view EatMetal’s
collections any time. Additionally, four
times a year Tokoly curates an exhibit at
the studio showcasing the works of select
jewelry artists in specific forms, such as
2015’s “Everyday Earring” exhibition
followed by an “Arm Candy” display.
Tokoly is committed to teaching and
inspiring the community through her
love of jewelry making. To that end, the
third Sunday of each month is “Demo
Day,” where the public can gather in
her studio with other members of the
community to watch a metalsmithing
technique.
“Not everybody really views jewelry
as art,” she says, “so I want this to be a
place where people can come and learn
that there’s a whole process by which
jewelry is made and that it truly is an
art form.”
The studio is housed in Hoboken’s
Monroe Center for the Arts, a building
that once hosted a mostly artistic community but is now home to many small
businesses and entrepreneurs. “This
building has really beautiful raw spaces
inside and you get such amazing light
and views,” she says as she looks out at
her view of the New York City skyline.
“And I’m really drawn to the warehouse
feel.”
But that’s not all that draws her to the
Gold Coast town. “There are so many
great little places around here to eat and
shop,” she says, singling out Benny
Tudino’s pizza and Little City Books as
favorites, especially when her 8-year-old
daughter and 6-year-old son visit. And
the Jersey City resident takes advantage
of the beautiful waterfront as well.
“When it’s nice out I love to take the
light rail to work and jog the few miles
home along the Hudson,” she says. “It’s
CUSTOM CREATIONS Elizabeth Ann Tokoly, founder of EatMetal, creates everything
using techniques that go back to the traditions of metalsmithing. Her jewelry designs
are “inspired by geometry, the use of points, lines and angles, as well as by nature and
the way things fit together as components of a whole,” she says.
so gorgeous on a fall evening and in the
spring.”
Tokoly’s pieces can be found in several
New Jersey galleries, as well as online
through Etsy and CustomMade. And
while she aspires to be in more galleries,
equally important is her commitment to
using her studio to give more artists an
outlet to teach and show their work to
the community. And of course, she plans
to continue making inspired handcrafted
jewelry for her clients to enjoy.
“I’m extremely lucky that I’ve found
something I love to do and that I hope
can inspire other people as well,” she
says of making her unique and timeless
pieces. “And I love making people happy,
so when someone buys a piece and
they’re thrilled with it…that just totally
makes my day.” ◆
(201) GOLD COAST MAY 2016
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