of the Hills is jewelry line hand-crafted by Telle ter Horst.

I found my way to jewelry while working at a magical little bead shop during my college years in Boone, NC. There, spending my days dreaming about color combinations and learning the fundamentals of the craft, I fell in love with the stories and meanings behind the materials. Jewelry-making is considered one of humanity’s oldest art forms, with early examples dating back tens of thousands of years, and I like to imagine that I would’ve been doing something similar with my hands if I’d walked the earth so long ago.

In modern times, my growing fascination with jewelry design coincided with the emergence of online handmade markets (namely, Etsy), and since the early 2000s I’ve created several concept lines, and explored a variety of mediums within the world of jewelry. My current project, telle / of the Hills, launched in early 2021 and involves exploring paint as a medium as well.

I’m inspired to create designs that celebrate the beauty of the natural world and evoke a sense of timelessness. I see the world as colors and shapes, and use this abstract interpretation to inform my process. I’m always searching to simplify.

of the Hills is an approximate translation of my Dutch surname, ter Horst. My grandfather, Jerald ter Horst, was a first-generation American who grew up in an immigrant family in Grand Rapids, MI. A witty journalist and a great supporter of the arts, he was and continues to be an inspiration to me. I like to think that I inherited his staunch Dutch work ethic, and his commitment to integrity.

I put great emphasis on my production methods, reducing single-use plastics in my packaging and using alternatives to harsh chemicals in my metal work. Though my operation is small, my philosophy is that every action matters. I give back to my community in the form of volunteer work and donations of profits, and am passionate about food sovereignty and environmental conservation.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my creations with you ⚘