Samantha Lombardo
Samantha has been drawn to jewelry since she can remember, and it remains a constant in her life. Her passion for jewelry flourished through her exposure to various cultures, history, and design that she experienced through travel with her family growing up. A significant milestone in Samantha's journey was her acceptance to Cushing Academy, a preparatory school in Massachusetts. She was immediately drawn to their silver smithing program when she toured the School, and it became one of the main reasons she chose to attend the School. Samantha developed a passion for silversmithing while at Cushing Academy and graduated with an award for Excellence in Silversmithing. She continued to follow her passion by attending Savannah College of Art and Design, where she received her BFA in Jewelry Making and Design with a minor in Art History. After graduation, she enrolled in The North Bennett Street School in Boston and completed an intensive two-year Jewelry Making and Repair Program.
Samantha has worked at the jeweler's bench and as a designer for independent jewelers. She has also worked in sales with national brands Saks Fifth Avenue, Bailey Banks & Biddle, and Tiffany & Co. At Bailey Banks & Biddle, she excelled in her sales role and became Store Manager. The combination of her time behind the bench, connecting with people through sales, and her management skills proved to be unique and beneficial in her retail career. The international brand Tiffany & Co recruited Samantha as their Sales Manager at The Westfarms Mall store in Connecticut.
After ten years of jewelry education and twenty-three years in the industry, Samantha was ready to embrace her undying passion for jewelry design and craftsmanship and started her own jewelry company. Her love of nature and interest in ancient architecture, cultures, and artifacts inspired her designs.
Creo Vis
Creo Vis means "I want to create" in Latin.
I have always been amazed by the seemingly infinite capacity for humans to create, which is a fundamental part of being human. Creation and human culture are deeply intertwined. One of our unique powers is to imagine in our minds and make that imagination tangible. We can harness the process needed to go from our mind's imagination to physical creation.
I feel the natural human desire to create at my core and in all facets of my life. I believe this is why we are here. I came across the Latin word "Creo" (create) several years back while viewing an exhibit about the ancient history of the human language. The phrase stuck with me, and when it came time to name my new endeavor, it naturally evolved into Creo Vis. I want to create.
Body Adornment
Early human cultures across the world unknowingly shared the desire to create and adorn their bodies with body painting, tattoos, piercings, hairstyles, clothes, and jewelry. They understood that the human vessel is sacred and should be worshipped and adored for its beauty and magical properties. I believe they understood that all the answers and love we seek in life live within us. Honoring oneself and the human form is all part of the self-love needed to achieve full grace and enlightenment in a lifetime.
Jewelry Journey
Looking back on my life's journey with jewelry, I can now see the many events and happenings that drew me down this path. One of the many instances was when I was a young girl and traveled to Florence, Italy, with my family. We visited the Ponte Vecchio, a historic jeweler's bridge that dates back to 1345. My most vivid memory is of a jeweler's building just off to the side of the landmark bridge. We climbed up many stairs and reached an old wooden door and behind the door was a hidden jewelry studio. In the studio, I saw beautiful handcrafted jewelry, but I was most intrigued by the green velvet curtain that swayed open as the shop owner came from behind to greet my family. The glimpse behind the curtain sparked my interest, and I went over and parted it slightly to peer back. Behind the curtain was an very old goldsmithing studio. One of the Goldsmiths looked up, smiled, and waved me in through the curtain. Nervous but delighted all at once, I entered the studio. The gentleman at the bench started speaking to me in Italian, which I did not understand, but he needed no words once he began to show me the ring he was working on. I was mesmerized by his workbench and all of his fine tools. He reached into a box on his workbench and gave me a small ring. Although it was an imitation, it looked like sapphires and diamonds. I have always treasured that small ring. This man's kind gesture was a beautiful experience that touched my life and motivated my career with jewelry.
