Thanks to 3D printing technology, jewelry design artisans such as Vanessa Templeman, with her Winter Hill Jewelry business, are finding new ways to brings their ideas to realization.

By NaBeela Washington

From digital blueprint to 3D model, Winter Hill Jewelry continues to pave the way for eco-friendly 3D printed jewelry. Beginning in late 2015, Vanessa Templeman sought out her family’s 3D printer to bring her curiosity in jewelry to life. Little did Templeman know that this would lead her to start Winter Hill Jewelry.

After Templeman learned to use Tinkercad to wield designs and Flash Forge Creator Pro printers, it was then she decided to pair her passions for environmental reform with that of 3D printed jewelry.

“Growing up in Wisconsin I had pets, loved animals, and spent a lot of time outdoors. As I got older, that care and concern for animals expanded to a greater concern for our environment and people. My professional background is in the non-profit sector working with youth development organizations, and I believe that if you are passionate about children it is only natural to care about the world they are growing up in and will exist in as adults,” said Templeman.

Winter Hill Jewelry incorporates PLA, Polylactic Acid, into all products and designs. While plant-based plastic is a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic, Templeman is knowledgeable about its limitations. “PLA is a hard plastic, making it more difficult to create certain types of jewelry, such as bracelets and some styles of necklaces. Flexible materials are better suited to creating those products, so I tend to stick with earrings.”

The road to Winter Hill Jewelry wasn’t always an easy one as Templeman is a mother of two. Balancing family with business can be a tough juggling act, but the savvy entrepreneur has found her groove. “I think if I didn’t have young kids I would want to be working on my business 24/7 which isn’t healthy – you need balance. The breaks I take away from work inspire me with new ideas and boost my creativity. I’m honestly not sure what is harder, raising kids or building a business. I think that in a way doing both at the same time has helped me. In both parenting and in business, not every strategy you employ is going to work and that can be frustrating. If I’m lucky, on days that parenting feels hard, I have a business success that can really brighten my mood. I’m also fortunate to have such a supportive partner who has always encouraged me to hire babysitters.”

Winter Hill Jewelry does more than just make jewelry with purpose, they also strive to educate businesses on how to lessen their environmental impact. Templeman has held various workshops at Tufts Arts and Crafts Center and Artisans Asylum and has been teaching 3D printing in an after school program at the Advent School in Beacon Hill one day a week for the past year and a half. “My hope is that Winter Hill Jewelry can make the 3D printing industry more accessible to people who may have never thought to try 3D printing, whether out of intimidation or just a lack of knowledge. I was in that exact same position just five years ago, and I never would have predicted that I would have the skills and expertise that I do now. “

For anyone interested in working in 3D printing, Templeman shares this advice: “Focus on your design first and then use the technology to bring it to life. I use pencil and paper to sketch my ideas first before moving into the printing phase. There’s no need to buy a 3D printer to start, and you can even use an online company to print your models for you. When starting out, your focus should first be to create an awesome product. Without a great product, you don’t have a business.”

Winter Hill Jewelry is located in Somerville. For more information on placing a unique order, please contact Vanessa Templeman at vanessa@winterhilljewelry.com. Additional Contact: Caitlin Drown at caitlin@legupcommunications.com.