Name: Giusy Maresca
Location: Sorrento, Italy
Product: Sofia jewelry box

Everybody should have a keepsake box, preferably one as refined and elegant as those made by Ercolano, an Italian firm that specializes in handmade, inlaid wood boxes. Perfect for holding everything from jewelry to watches, they’re as special as the pieces they were meant to hold. Here, designer Giusy Maresca explains how they’re made.

What inspired you to make this jewelry box?
Our inspiration was the femininity of women. Hair is the symbol of femininity. We decided to “weave” the wood the way women do with their hair. We used the purity and elegance of white combined with the natural nuances of the wood. We were very satisfied with the result and decided to give it the beautiful traditional Italian name Sofia.

How was the box made?
Our craftsmen traced the motifs. This work took into the account the natural veining of the wood. They obtained pieces from the leaves of wood, the so-called weaves, that are needed for the constructions of our design. At this point they cut and assembled the various parts, from the cover to the bottom of the various sides. Once the shape has begun, the in-laid woodwork will be applied to the object, using eureka, vinilic or fish glues.

What was the big aha! you had while creating this product?
We were inspired by women’s hair, a symbol of femininity, and we were excited by the idea of “weaving” our wood.

What do you love about what you do?
Everything.

How would you sum up your aesthetic/design philosophy?
Elegant and refined.

What are you working on next?
Avant-garde jewelry boxes.

What would you like to do other than your current occupation?
Reporter.