RetRose Jewelry is the creative vision of Florida artist Helma Mezey.

Her signature style combines vintage design with a contemporary sensibility,creating pieces that are as unique as the women who wear them. Each piece in her diverse collection contains one or more "roses" folded from wiremesh, a nod to fabric or ribbon roses of bygone fashions.
These pieces are everyday treasures, as well as keepsakes for tomorrow.
 
The roses are individually folded out of wire mesh, using an origami pattern. Next they are electro-plated, which gives them a soft look similar to fabric. They are treated like semi-precious stones, to be set in their own bezels and unique settings, some of which are accented with Czech crystal beads and fresh-water pearls.

All pieces are available in a variety of metal finishes.

The jewelry is designed and produced by artist, Helma Mezey, in Florida.

Artist Statement

Many years ago I found a vintage wire mesh rose folded in the origami style, labeled “made in occupied Japan.” Over the years it resurfaced time and again in my jewelry studio. The insistent presence of this found object eventually compelled me to explore the technique of folding metal mesh.

I began by carefully taking the rose apart and teaching myself the intricate folds. I became even more intrigued by its delicacy in contrast to the inherent strength of the wire mesh. I resourced the brass mesh which I discovered is normally used as an industrial filtering product. Once perfected, the rose became my “jewel.” Using my metalsmithing skills and inspired by vintage era architecture and design, I crafted a variety of settings for the roses.

The “Comet Brooch” is the first piece I made in the collection known as Retrose Jewelry. It is based on the fond memory of another brooch my Grandmother had given me when I was a young girl. The comet invokes both the energetic and the elegant, just the way I remember my very lady-like Grandmother. From this piece have flowed all the others and it is still my favorite.

I initially sculpt the original settings in wax and copper, which are then cast in pewter. Connections are soldered before the surfaces are electro-plated. A variety of finishes lend the pieces a delicate textile impression. The rose creates a continuity of concept throughout the collection, which may be accented with semi-precious stones, fresh-water pearls, and crystals.

I originally came to metalsmithing by the serendipitous route of studying and working as a dental technician in New Orleans. The skills, tools and materials utilized in the dental lab are so compatible to jewelry making that the local jewelers often brought their pieces in to the lab to be cast. This led me to an apprenticeship with Thomas Mann, a local jewelry designer. I further refined my skills by working with Jaime Pellissier, a master goldsmith.