About Ellen Hoffman Designs

Ellen has always had a curiosity and passion for art and ancient cultures. Ellen was surrounded by the rarefied world of women’s couture, working holidays and summers at her family’s store. As a teenager, she spent a summer traveling throughout Scandinavia. While staying in a mud hut in Lapland, she had her first encounter with the Sámi people, one of the oldest living cultures in the world. In college, her art history studies focused on the Italian Renaissance and antiquities. She continued to delve into ancient cultures, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Native Americans. Her travels took her to Greece, Turkey, and Western Europe where she was immersed in art and history. From her intense passion for art and antiquity and research into stones, Roman glass, and coins from ancient civilizations, Ellen was inspired to create one-of-a-kind jewelry heirlooms incorporating these treasures. Due to her love of travel and exploration, Ellen’s studio worktables are scattered with a wondrous array of colored gemstones, finely carved and raw crystals. Her long-time love of ancient civilizations and the beauty of nature still inspire Ellen’s jewelry. Her respect for each stone and its history, combined with modern knowledge of fine jewelry making, results in collections that transcend time and style.Read their story