Jay StrongwaterClara and the Nutcracker Glass Ornament

Jay Strongwater’s love of the bejeweled object has led him on a beautiful journey through the worlds of fashion and home furnishings. Jay began his career in 1981 while a student at the Rhode Island School of Design. After garnering raves for a necklace he made for his mother, he took jewelry samples to the open buyer days at several of New York’s department stores and a burgeoning business was born. Strongwater’s taste for big, bold bijoux was seen on fashion runways, magazine covers, and prominent jewelry counters across the country. The start of home furnishings was a jewel-encrusted picture frame Jay created in 1995 using components from his jewelry collection. By 1998, his Jewels for the Home supplanted his fashion business. “I’m fascinated by the idea of taking our everyday belongings and turning them into a beautiful collage of metal, enamel, and sparkling crystals.” Collectors often say they feel the hand of the artisan behind each Jay Strongwater design. This almost tangible sense comes from the work of the highly skilled artisans in our New York atelier and production workshop in Rhode Island, where most pieces are brought to life. Jay Strongwater's bejeweled collections for the home—from frames and figurines to boxes, furniture, and holiday collections—add color and delight to every room.