In the winter of 2010, I went on a Taglit Birthright trip to Israel. While there, I was captivated by the landscape, culture and history. When I returned home I felt a stronger connection to Israel, my culture and my identity as an artist. This journey profoundly changed my perspective and led me to discover my true passion. I began to focus on creating contemporary Judaica full-time and opened the Joy Stember Metal Arts Studio, LLC. This decision has not only provided great personal fulfillment but also the opportunity to share my craft with the world. The clean lines and repetitive nature in urban landscapes inspire my work, as well as mid-century design. I use a variety of metals such as pewter, brass, bronze, silver and copper to produce my designs. My work is handmade in the United States and each piece is lovingly fabricated by scoring and folding sheets of pewter to make 3 dimensional works of art. The gorgeous textures are pulled from many influences and are embossed into the metal. As a designer and maker, my intent is to encourage the importance of American high-end craft in the modern home by creating contemporary heirlooms for a new generation of collectors.