ARTIST'S SPOTLIGHT - jeremy may

I first connected with Jeremy back in 2021, when I discovered his truly unique and beautiful art. As a lifelong bookworm and ring lover, his technique immediately spoke to me—after all,

it embodied two of my greatest passions: books and rings. Since then, I’ve shared his incredible work many times. He took part in my Questionnaire project in 2022, and most recently, when I shared the most-liked rings from the past five years to celebrate my page’s anniversary, one of his creations reached over 2.9 million views (the ring shown above)

It is very much on my bucket list to one day commission a ring from Jeremy, made from my favorite book in the world: Contact, by Carl Sagan.

And although rings are my thing, Jeremy also creates the most unique earrings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, brooches and sculptures. You can see it all on his website (by clicking on his name below).

JEREMY MAY

I have been fascinated by paper for nearly 20 years. To me, paper holds a unique quality—not only does it carry narrative and knowledge, but it can also be transformed into a material that renders these narratives wearable.

I work predominantly with secondhand books as my material source. The book, both as a used object and as a bearer of stories, is my direct inspiration and a central element in how I create one-off jewels. I am endlessly intrigued by the individuality of each used book, the traces of its past readers—the folded pages, makeshift bookmarks, notes in the margins.

From the beginning, I have sought to create unique pieces. Each book is an individual object, and therefore each jewel must be equally individual. After reading a book, I choose a direct quote that captures its essence for me. I then envision its form, colour, and appearance, sketching the idea on paper before I begin sculpting the book itself. In this way, the book becomes ‘unreadable,’ yet its story remains intact, carried within the jewel.

Each jewel is impossible to replicate. Its beauty runs deep within the piece: text and image pass all the way through the material, revealed only at the surface. Over the years, I have had the honor of exhibiting my work in prestigious venues around the world, with several pieces now part of museum collections.

I created my very first paper ring in September 2007, and by January 2009 my literary jewels were being introduced to the public. What began as a personal exploration has since transformed paper into a medium that aspires to last and to bring joy, color, and love to all who value sustainability. Today, I continue to work on private commissions while developing themed collections of jewels that are presented in exhibitions worldwide.

I live and work in London, always pushing forward with each new piece, driven by a thirst for discovery, uniqueness, and the sublime.

@jeremymayjewels