Erica Leal
Erica Leal is an independent jewelry designer and metalsmith based in Vancouver. At Ruby Mardi, we’re drawn to her bold, architectural designs, which seamlessly blend traditional goldsmithing techniques with modern materials. Her pieces are both striking and meticulously crafted, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary jewelry.
Erica’s background is rooted in fine arts and metalsmithing. She studied at Camberwell College of Art in London and the Nova Scotia College of Art in Halifax before working in the jewelry industry in Vancouver, London, and New York. In 2017, she launched her eponymous jewelry line, bringing her unique artistic vision to life.
What sets Erica’s work apart is her signature combination of metal and color. She creates bold metal forms using traditional techniques, then incorporates hand-cut, inlaid acrylic, adding depth, contrast, and a sense of playfulness. This distinctive method was developed through years of experimentation, making each piece feel like a miniature wearable sculpture.
Every piece is designed and crafted exclusively in her Vancouver studio, with materials sourced as locally as possible in North America. Erica is committed to community-minded, sustainable production, ensuring that her work not only looks extraordinary but is made with intention and care.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Erica about her artistic inspirations, creative process, and what fuels her work. Read on to get a glimpse into her world!
Who are the artists you love the most, who inspire you or accompany you? Do they influence your work, and if so, in what way?
I admire many craftspeople from the Arts and Crafts Movement and the Bauhaus School - Anni Albers, Gunta Stölzl, and William Morris.
They were among the first to grapple and/or reconcile with the Industrial Revolution, navigating the shift from artisan craftsmanship to mass production. Their work explored not only how this transformation shaped the material world but also how it affected the skill development and job satisfaction of those entering factory work. I'm inspired by their dedication to making the world better—whether through what they create or how they create it.
There are so many more but a few other faves are Alexander Calder, Rebecca Horn and basically any quilter from Gee's Bend.
If you could be reincarnated as a flower, which one would you choose and why?
Hmm, maybe I'd be a passionflower?
Just because I like them. They bloom from the passionfruit plant, and look like they're from another world.
And if I get to be specific, I'd grow in Maui. I love passionfruit, and Hawaii is a truly magical place, so let’s plant me there if possible.
How does your own work fit into this larger context?
I believe imagination is essential for our mental health. Viewing art can have a powerful impact, but it’s even more meaningful when you can open the door for someone else to be creative. Creativity not only allows us to imagine new possibilities but also helps us understand our role in shaping the world around us, it can help us cultivate hope. By exploring their own imagination, people can gain a deeper appreciation for how our material world has come to be.
In my own work, I aim to expand conventional ideas of what jewellery can be. I also run workshops introducing beginners to wax modelling and lost wax casting, making these techniques more accessible. Beyond that, I believe in fostering creative communities and strengthening the craft industry here in Canada. There is so much opportunity for growth, and I contribute by keeping my production local—making everything in Vancouver and supporting my local economy in every way I can.
If you could meet one person from history, who would it be and why?
My grandpa, he was a farmer and died really early in life at 50 but he was a really loving man and passed that down to all his kids. It would be nice to meet him.
Do you have any strategies for overcoming these obstacles?
I try to take a step back, relax, and remind myself that making things is a fundamental part of being human—something people have done for centuries, long before the word 'artist' even existed, as a response to their surroundings. I do what I can to ease the pressure and remind myself that this is something I have experience in and genuinely love to do. Sometimes, that means visiting a museum for inspiration or shifting my focus to a different piece for a while.
Is there a movie or music band you could watch on repeat and never tire of?
Joni Mitchell. I grew up listening to her so her voice is very familiar. She's just the best songwriter and plays so many instruments beautifully. As I get older I find new favourite songs - even though all of her music is before my time I feel like I've grown up with her.
If I had to pick a film it would probably be Planes, Trains and Automobiles - I laugh, I cry, I miss John Candy.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Maybe baths? I have embarrassingly long baths where I do all my best thinking and scrolling.
Finally, what is your favorite museum (worldwide)?
Ugh that's hard, I still have so many to visit. Like most craftspeople, I love the V&A in London but another favourite is the Museum of Anthropology here in Vancouver. Some of the Coast Salish weaving and Haida jewellery exhibitions I've seen there have really stayed with me—there's so much incredible work to take in.
Thank you for sharing a little of yourself with us, Erica!
