the studio
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Based in Southern California, Petit Anjou was founded by Jessica Liu. Prior to establishing her studio, Jessica was an attorney, but found herself looking for creative outlets. Inspired by modern art and its celebration of the imperfect, she began experimenting with metals, fascinated by what could be forged from these raw materials. A self-taught metalsmith, Jessica left law to start her own jewelry studio.
Jessica's designs are rooted in a philosophy of exploration, spontaneity, and playful curiosity. The pieces are designed in wax and brought to life using the ancient lost wax casting technique, one of the oldest methods for making jewelry. Each piece is handcrafted in her Southern California studio with the help of Portland, Oregon's finest caster, Val Graham.
Since the launch of her studio in 2021, Jessica's pieces have been worn by celebrities such as Charity Lawson for ABC's "The Bachelorette" and by Jessica Alba. They've also been featured in publications such as Who What Wear, The Zoe Report, and Byrdie, among others.
"My interest in metalsmithing started in 2019. I set out to teach myself how to make jewelry--in styles that I wanted to see but couldn't find anywhere--and my studio was born in 2021.
I enjoy making jewelry that feels raw and ever-so-slightly unfinished. Refined, but not overly so. I’m often inspired by modern art and its celebration of the imperfect. But really, I find inspiration everywhere—in a museum or out on a walk. Whether it’s a Pollock painting, Gehry’s concert hall, Gaudí’s freeform buildings, or a piece of ocean coral, I’m drawn to voluptuous texture, fluid movement, and organic shapes.
I like to think that my work strikes a balance between modernity and antiquity, with a sculptural aesthetic that's both elegant and effortlessly wearable. I value quality over quantity, and focus on crafting timeless pieces that can be worn for a lifetime."
