The Middle Way

Life is so busy. Hectic. Loud. Rushed. And lately, I find myself desperate for balance. Constantly seeking out peace.

I just want to close my eyes and go somewhere away from all the noise.

During my years in Thailand, I lived on a small family compound surrounded by nature - fruit trees living amongst orchids, birds singing outside my window, & each morning, the steady chant of monks floating through the air.

That daily sound shaped me: a reminder that amongst challenges beauty can always be found, and that amongst darkness there is always light.  

Many years later, after returning to New York, I discovered a Thai Wat not too far from my home here on Long Island. Sometimes I take my family there, and we sit to admire the large Buddha.

I love to watch the head monk, always in awe of his presence. No matter what goes on around him, no matter how many kids wave their hands in front of his face, he sits in stillness. When life feels very difficult, I channel this moment, hoping to gain some of that deeply rooted serenity.

Now that Unhada is twenty years old, I find myself longing to bring this idea into my work. To stand tall, no matter which way the wind blows, no matter what the trends are, no matter what is happening within the jewelry world.

I have gone deeper into the magical realms I’ve created, and into the why behind them. I wanted to do something "more," in terms of meaning. Something small but mighty, that also reflected the emotion & meaning behind my life’s work.

Last year, I started working with an organization called Turquoise Mountain. They employ skilled craftsmen in regions like Afghanistan, and we partnered together to craft some stunning silver pieces for Unhada.

From the start, I had wanted to work with them on some kind of special project. I had always had an obsession with miniatures, and first encountered them at Layla Brooklyn almost 30 years ago, then saw many throughout my time living in Asia.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with a miniature, they date back to the Mughal Empire, blending Persian influences with distinct Indian artistic traditions to create narrative, decorative works for royal courts and illustrated manuscripts.

Created to tell stories, they were designed for intimate, personal viewing. Their miniature scale wasn't a limitation, but a very intentional choice. Today, they give us a peek into the incredible range of themes, subjects, and styles of Indian art.

So, as with all storytellers, an idea began to form.

Since Unhada is built on storytelling, what if, for the first time ever, I created miniatures that invited people to share in the story together, then brought each element of the story to life through a small collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces?

With every piece completely unique, my hope is that if one calls to you, you answer. It was meant to be yours.

After years in the making, drawing out many worlds, ideas, and miniature sketches, I decided… what better theme to begin with than balance? A man on a mountain, as still as that monk who has become my image of serenity. My portal to peace.

And so, The Middle Way was born. Yet another reminder of why, for my whole life, I could only seem to draw in miniature.

But this collection is more than jewelry. It's an invitation.

An invitation to find your own moment of stillness in the chaos. To carry a piece of that monastery calm with you.

Each piece in The Middle Way collection holds space for both light & dark, strength & softness, the sacred & the everyday.

Whether it's the gentle weight of a pendant against your chest reminding you to breathe, or the sparkle of a ring catching light as your hands move through your busy day, these pieces are designed to be your personal portal to inner peace.

Because sometimes, the most profound magic isn't about transformation, it's about finding the balance that has always been within.

I can't wait to share The Middle Way with you later this year.