meet the maker
​Welcome! I'm Hitomi, the person behind Toemi Jewelry. As a deep thinker and creative spirit, silversmithing has become my ideal form of expression. Making jewelry serves as a meditative practice for me. I feel a deep sense of calm and connection when transforming raw materials into beautiful, wearable art. Through my work, I aim to create not just beautiful jewelry, but also to embed meaningful narratives into each piece.​
​
Throughout history, jewelry has represented culture, spiritual and personal expression. My jewelry continues that lineage; every piece is a journey, reflecting my thoughts and feelings. I hope they inspire you to explore the stories they carry ,while inviting you to bring your own interpretations to each creation. ​​
​
In this world of fast, mass produced products, it brings me joy to offer creations made with intention and meaning. I get satisfaction in knowing that every hand fabricated piece is truly one of a kind. You'll find unique characteristic in each piece, which is a hallmark of artisan jewelry.
_edited_edited_edited_edited.jpg)
I work with responsibly sourced 925 sterling silver, fine silver, jeweler's brass and natural gemstones. Pieces are created slowly and in small batches using traditional silversmithing techniques.​
​
​I live with my husband and our two Bengal cats in San Clemente, a beautiful beach town in Southern California. I work from my home studio, where my feline companions keep a watchful gaze on everything I do.
​​​​
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you discover a piece that resonates with your spirit. ​
Hitomi
about me
I was a creative, studious kid who loved school, reading, and playing outside. I was born in Southern California, but spent my formative years in Colorado, Okinawa (Japan), and the majority of time in Wyoming. In Okinawa, the beach was my playground. I found creatures in the tide pools, collected hermit crabs and played on the seawall. Wyoming's fields offered endless hours to pick wildflowers and plants, and play with ants, grasshoppers, ladybugs, and beetles. My creativity was nurtured by playing the guitar, taking classes in lapidary, pottery, leather, art, stagecraft, and drama.
As a deep thinker, my existential curiosity fueled my desire to understand life and particularly human behavior. I discovered at an early age that people can be cruel and unjust, but also that we are compassionate and nurturing. As a book lover, I naturally turned towards them for answers. Reading gave me entry to a world of truths, untruths and possibilities. ​
Motivated by my curiosity about human behavior, I completed a BA in Psychology and then a MA in Communications. I established a career that used my education in professional roles in the corporate world and higher education.
While I was busy making a living, the need for creative expression and spiritual understanding called. I took jewelry and pottery classes, studied acting, improv, kendo, documentary filmmaking and many styles of dance, including hula, bellydance and ballroom. My desire to explore spirituality and healing modalities manifested in certifications in yoga, reiki, sound healing, and personal coaching. These practices provided the calm and grounding I needed to balance my high stress career.​​
​​
After many years of feeling mentally drained by the pressures of my professional career, I decided to unfetter myself and immediately felt like a huge burden was lifted. I relished in my newfound freedom for a bit, but I was itching for something. I didn't have a grand plan, but I knew I wanted to express myself and create something meaningful. My journey into silversmithing began with a basic class, where I learned the fundamentals. I became consumed with expanding my knowledge and skills and it quickly became clear that I had found my niche, a blend of artistry and skill. I love the intricacies and endless possibilities of the craft and I'm grateful for the creative freedom it allows me to explore.