Deanna Dionne
Contemporary Jeweler
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Car break-ins are common in urban areas, a crime which results in someone’s personal property being left for debris on the curb. I collect glass from these car windows and transform it into jewelry. Victims can wear the pieces as a display of fortitude, something to stand up to the invisible perpetrator they are powerless against.
Metaphorically, the jewelry speaks to a larger story of finding positives within the negative, displaying resilience, and how beauty exists in the broken. At times we may feel unrepairable, but the ability to embrace our scars and flaws is a powerful accomplishment. This jewelry serves as a reminder of self-acceptance.
Tempered auto glass has a fascinating quality of breaking into small cubes, but often chips will keep together, producing an intricate cracked effect. I work with the shapes that are naturally created from the break, preserving them without manipulation. This results in an organic quality to the work which plays with delicacy and boldness.
Deanna Dionne grew up in Michigan, as the daughter of a sculptor and a novelist. In 2014 she moved to a warehouse studio in Cleveland, Ohio, to have space to pursue art interests more fully. Within two years she launched Cleveland Street Glass, jewelry made from the glass of car break-ins. When not working on her own art and jewelry, she loves designing products, illustrations, websites, and marketing materials for startups, makers, and companies. View her work at DeannaDionne.com
Featured Work
Process Video
After collecting glass from car break-ins, how is it made into jewelry?
Orbit Necklace
Two pieces of cracked auto glass are suspended on a silver circle.
Double-drop Earrings
Found cracked auto glass hangs from two french hook earrings with stainless steel chain and wire.
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