Elisabeth Arzt
she/they
Frederick, MD, USA
Elisabeth Arzt is a Maryland-based multidisciplinary artist and founder of Fine Arzt Studio. Raised on a Western Maryland farm, her rural upbringing fostered a deep connection to nature, which continues to inspire her work. She earned a BFA in sculpture from the Corcoran College of Art and Design, exploring diverse techniques and materials.
Arzt’s artistic journey spans roles as an illustrator, chainsaw carver, costumer, welder, and jeweler. Working on both monumental and microcosmic scales, she transforms sculpting remnants into fine jewelry, blending woodworking and metalsmithing. Her sustainable creations emphasize structural durability, intended to endure beyond passing trends.
Arzt’s work celebrates the interplay between art, nature, and human creativity, bridging the grandeur of forests with the intimacy of personal adornment. Her art has been featured at the Corcoran Gallery, Smithsonian Craft Week, Strathmore Mansion, and is held in private collections across the U.S. and internationally.
“As a jeweler, my work reflects a deep reverence for the materials I use and the stories they carry. Each piece is more than an accessory—it is a meaningful talisman infused with history, intention, and beauty. Crafted to symbolize protection, inspiration, and connection, my jewelry invites touch, contemplation, and personal bonds, designed to be cherished and passed down as heirlooms. I carefully select high-quality materials—wood for resilience, ancient coins for history, and stones for natural beauty—each set in sterling silver to enhance and protect. Through thoughtful craftsmanship, I strive to harmonize the rugged with the refined, creating timeless adornments.”
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
“The materials in the pieces all have a story behind them, whether where they were sourced from or how they were procured. It is reminiscent of how one has a circle of friends or a chosen family and we all come together to create a grand composition of love.”
"Lucky Lady Spoon", lucky lady variscite, sterling, silver, fine silver, rutilated quartz, 20" x 1" x 2.5", 2021What role does connection play in your creative process?
“Connection plays a vital role in my creative process, especially when crafting jewelry from recycled sterling silver and stones. Each piece is a reflection of my relationship with the materials, as I repurpose and breathe new life into forgotten elements. By using recycled silver and stones, I feel a deep connection to both the environment and the history embedded in the materials, creating jewelry that tells a story while fostering a meaningful relationship between the wearer and the earth's resources.”
What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
“My queerness shapes how I connect to the world by deepening my understanding of fluidity, transformation, and authenticity. It influences how I approach my art, community, and the environment, fostering a sense of belonging to a larger narrative of self-expression and resilience. In my work, I embrace the non-linear, the unexpected, and the diverse, allowing my queerness to inform how I create, collaborate, and communicate. It fuels my desire to forge connections with people and materials, emphasizing inclusion, care, and the beauty of difference in all aspects of life.”
"Turquoise Chorus Choker", sterling silver, fine silver, #8 turquoise, 18" x 1" x 2", 2024Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
“All three of the pieces use recycled sterling silver flatware, objects that were so valued by previous generations.”
"Cicada Friend", sterling silver, #8 turquoise, fine silver, cherry burl, 22" x 3" x 1", 2022