by Lenore Shannon

Four questions for the ultra-talented @JessicaKaganCushman

Jessica Kagan Cushman is a NYC born and bred independent jewelry and accessories designer with a heady genealogy: her father Vladimir Kagan is considered an early pioneer of modern American design and her mother Erica Wilson was known as the Julia Child of needlework (they made quite a couple).

Jessica chatted recently with our bathrobe-clad correspondent Lenore Shannon.

I.

LS: You are a passionate recycler. Do you know what you’re looking for, or is every foraging trip a crapshoot?

JKC: My foraging trips are a total crapshoot. I love digging through boxes of what most people would call crap to find that one elusive treasure. Having said that, there are certain things I’m always on the lookout for - mainly elements of good design. A piece can be plastic or platinum, if the bones are good I’ll use it in a neckmess.

II.

LS: The #neckmess in all its glory can look extremely threatening to the average gal. How would you help someone who feels they have no fashion sense create their own affordable statement using one of your pieces that may have caught their eye on your wildly popular IG?

JKC: First of all, everyone has fashion sense, you just have to get in touch with your inner Anna Wintour. She’s lurking there, I promise!

Start with one piece that’s meaningful to you for whatever reason, then build from there. The most successful neckmess has a theme or cohesive element that holds it all together, either color (all turquoise, for example), materials (like wood or yellow gold) or a figural element (birds or stars for example).

The overall look should be balanced but not necessarily symmetrical - wonkiness is a key element.

gold neckmess

wooden neckmess

“The neckmess, by design, is completely unique to each person. ”

— Jessica Kagan Cushman

III.

Enameled quick screws. Photo credit, JKC.

LS: I think we all agree that every day should be Mother’s Day, but this year moms deserve some extra praise for holding the pandemic forts together. What is a good idea for a first time neckmess purchase that any mom would love?

JKC: I’m biased of course but I’d recommend one of my enameled Quick Screws. They’re affordable, fun, and the perfect starter piece to build a neckmess.

IV.

LS: You are originally known for your stackable woolly mammoth tusk bangle bracelets with saucy sayings. Now seems like a time where we could all use some sauciness. What say you?

JKC: Boy, is it ever time for saucy sayings!! To that end I’ve gone back to my scrimshaw roots. I’m engraving antique piano keys (see cover photo) and making them into pendants. I can’t make them fast enough, turns out people really want to express themselves during a plague (who knew?).

In addition to custom pieces (I’ve made TRUE GRIT and FIERCE JUJU among others) I’m making some standard phrases: 6 FEET, not surprisingly, is the current favorite!