From her Pride & Archive studio in Weaverville, NC, Summer Merritt crafts unique wooden jewelry pieces that are both striking and classic. “Wood is an ideal medium for crafting bold statement pieces without the burden of weight,” she says. Her designs are modern and minimalist, with subtle nods to Art Nouveau. They embody the spirit of both/and instead of either/or. “Wood jewelry pieces can be large and exuberant yet still exude a stillness, a subtle poise that makes them confident standing alone,” she explains.
Summer’s designs are a fusion of organic beauty and sophisticated presentation. Her signature pieces are sleek and lightweight, with clean lines and graceful curves. At the same time, they reflect a reverence for wood’s inherent sensory properties. Summer explains that her jewelry is created to be touched. “It is an adornment and also a place to put your nervous energy,” she says. She often incorporates small notches or subtle design elements that invite quiet interaction.
See Summer at work and hear more about her story in her own words
All wood used in the Pride & Archive studio is sourced from Cormark International, a trusted local distributor. Summer relies on them for assurances of quality, sustainability, and provenance. It’s also where she finds new and different species to work with. She selects sustainably sourced exotic hardwoods for their density and rich aesthetic and carefully assesses each wood block to determine optimal cuts, with a goal of highlighting the best color and grain features.
Shaping begins with a disc and spindle sander. Starting with 40-grit sandpaper to remove rough edges, she then moves to 80- and 100-grit sandpaper for finer adjustments. Polishing begins with 220- grit automotive sandpaper, gradually progressing through finer grits up to 7000-grit. This painstaking method not only achieves a high polish but also seals the wood, tightening its pores for enhanced natural water resistance.
One of Summer’s favored species is Lati, a lesserknown exotic sometimes referred to as white wenge. Lati has an exquisite grain pattern with wide bands of parenchyma (functional tissue) that create visually captivating patterns. African blackwood is another of her favorites. “It shapes and polishes beautifully, with a dramatic contrast between sapwood and heartwood that’s just stunning. Plus, it is fun to work with because of its spicy sweet aroma.”
SPOTLIGHT ON: LATI / WHITE WENGE
SPECIES: Amphimas pterocarpoides and A. ferrugineus
ORIGIN: Central and West Africa
COMMON APPLICATIONS: Veneer, plywood, interior trim, furniture, joinery, and flooring.
CHARACTERISTICS/APPEARANCE: The heartwood has a distinctive orange-brown color and is clearly differentiated from the sapwood known for its creamy white to light brown color. The wood has a straight grain with a uniformly coarse texture and low natural luster. Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools but the wood has a higher cutting resistance. It glues and finishes well.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE: 1,200 lbf
COMMENTS: Listed as a lesser-known wood species, Lati is often called white wenge because of the similar grain patterns.
Summer relies on the natural beauty of wood and uses no stains or dyes. “Nature offers an abundant color palette to work with,” she says. By meticulously sanding and polishing each piece, the individual textures and grain patterns of each piece are enhanced. To protect and nourish the wood, natural wood oil is buffed into the finished pieces. She uses no lacquers, wanting no artificial barriers between the wood and the wearer’s skin. In fact, natural oils from the skin help maintain and enhance the wood’s character over time.
Describing her creation process as intuitive, Summer explains, “I often just sit with a wood block, look at the grains and then start shaping it in my mind and understanding it with my hands. I respond to its color, grain, and scent. Ultimately, my goal is to make wooden jewelry the wearer values in the same way precious metals and gemstones are valued as heirlooms and expressions of authenticity and lasting worth.”
Summer holds a BFA in design and an MFA in sculpture from California State University Long Beach. Prior to becoming a dedicated wood sculptor, she had a 16-year career as an optician, where she honed her eye for detail working with intricate designs on a small scale. Pride & Archive has been in the Asheville area for 11 years.
“I love that there’s a seemingly endless variety of woods to learn about—each with its own characteristics, behaviors, origins, and possibilities,” Summer said. “At fine craft and design shows, I’ve had the chance to meet legendary wood artisans and always come away with new insights. There’s so much to learn about wood; you can never know it all, and that’s what makes it such an exciting medium to explore.”
