STATEMENT
Tia Salmela Keobounpheng, the daughter of AIA Fellow and Honor Award recipient, David Salmela, began absorbing modern design principles from the earliest of ages. With a BA degree in Architecture from the University of Minnesota and 10 years working in the design world, Tia has spent her life exploring the connections between art, design, craft and architecture. She co-founded SILVERCOCOON in 2001 with her husband as an outlet for working on small design projects across disciplines. Her line of jewelry, which debuted in a solo trunk show at the Walker Art Center shop in November 2007, embodies a simple, organic and playful style that appeals to the modern woman at any age. She was featured as an Emerging Artist at the 2008 American Craft Council show in Baltimore and the 2008 One of a Kind Show in Chicago and has taken part in many local trunk shows, exhibits and fashion shows – including the Voltage Amplified Runway Show in 2009. She and her work have been featured in numerous local, regional and national publications, blogs and websites.
Taking a life-style approach to design, Tia most recently collaborated with photographer, Paige DeWees, to produce a catalog that brings her jewelry to life through the simple everyday moments of a variety of Midwestern women. “Our lives are made-up of simple moments that are strung together in ways that define us, inspire us and allow us to see time, growth and change.” Tia wants people to think of her jewelry in these everyday terms – as if our every days can become our own special occasions with the simple addition of some jewelry to celebrate ourselves.