Meet Dhamee Hahn | Artist and Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dhamee Hahn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dhamee, why did you pursue a creative career?
Since my early childhood, I’ve been drawn to creative activities and working with my hands. It was the thing that held my attention and brought me joy. My Korean mother was surprisingly the one who encouraged me to pursue the arts in college and I fell in love with metal as a medium. After receiving a BFA and MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing, my educational journey solidified my decision to pursue a creative career, allowing me to combine my artistic vision with technical skills.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a jewelry artist who creates pieces using sterling silver and 14kt gold-plated bronze and brass wire. My designs draw inspiration from nature, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern architecture, and are guided by the principle that form follows function. I fabricate my jewelry from wire to create structural lines and negative space. Beginning as sketches on paper, they evolve through an iterative process into three-dimensional objects. This approach allows me to craft sculptural pieces with heirloom-quality construction. I enjoy how they occupy space, often appearing substantial, yet their frame-like composition makes them lightweight, comfortable, and simultaneously a statement piece.

My mother encouraged me to continue in the arts in college, and I fell in love with metal as a medium. I received a BFA from Cal State Long Beach and an MFA from UMASS Dartmouth in Jewelry and Metalsmithing. After graduate school, I started working as a production manager for a handmade jeweler and learned much about the business of being a creative maker. It set a strong foundation for me to pursue my line of wearable art.

After having my son, I decided to pursue my own small business full-time for the flexibility, and it felt like the right time to make that transition. As all good things require hard work, it wasn’t easy. I had to buckle down and learn to balance work and life with motherhood. I’m a big multi-tasker, but I can lose myself for hours on end when it comes to studio time. It can blur the boundaries of career and home life. Becoming a mom has also forced me to be more structured with my time during the day, but you might still find me working in my studio well into the night while my son sleeps because I “found my momentum.” It isn’t easy, but I believe in taking breaks and spending quality time with my family to maintain a healthy balance.

Although I had been working in the industry since 2011, early 2019 was the year I decided to go into business full-time. It was a great start, and I had high hopes for 2020. But as we all know, the pandemic set in, and life became very different. I got a remote and hybrid faculty position teaching jewelry/art classes at Cal State Long Beach during the pandemic, and it was a huge blessing. I jumped to participate in in-person curated shows when things started to open back up. Because my background allowed me to diversify my skills when needed, I could sustain my jewelry brand and continue despite economic setbacks. I believe my unwavering dedication to quality and design is how I’ve been able to continue to grow. My educational and industry experiences taught me how to visually balance my designs, work with high-quality materials, and maintain deep attention to detail while making them wearable and functional in the real world. I’ve successfully blended those elements into something unique, timeless, and well-made.

Having been a maker for many years, I’ve gone through many iterations and business models before finding my voice in the jewelry world. I learned that staying true to my aesthetics and designs must be my business foundation. Learning to adapt and being resilient comes at a close second. I’ve seen how changing your style to mimic what is “trendy” is a fast way to succeed and an even faster way to fail. Having my own aesthetic and pushing myself to cultivate that has grown and attracted customers seeking out my jewelry. It resonates with them, and I can offer them something they can’t find anywhere else. Beyond that, staying resilient and adapting to economic needs are also really important in guiding my decisions as a small business. It is a dance between creativity and fiscal responsibility.

When you do this for so many years, burnout is always a possibility. One of the most significant pieces of advice I received from a professor in graduate school was “To never stop making.” I take that to heart and attempt to play and create new things daily. Although metal is my material of choice, it’s nice to sometimes break out into diverse mediums. Baking, among other things, is a way for me to have a creative outlet while doing something different. I continue refining my craft and attention to detail by consistently maintaining a strong work ethic and trying to challenge myself regularly. I am always open to feedback from peers and mentors to continuously learn and help me improve and adapt in the competitive jewelry market.

As the designer and maker of all my work, I consider the wearer and how the jewelry lies on the body. What sets me apart from other jewelers is that I look at the body as site-specific, as sculptors might place their work in a landscape. I encourage people to try on my work because they are designed to lay and move differently on a person’s body. Some of my favorite pieces completely transform when worn, which is beautiful and offers a satisfying opportunity for discovery. As a visual artist, I always seek new inspirations and expansion in my work. I am currently exploring tropical flora and am excited to see how these dramatic plants incorporate into the jewelry. I would also love to include more color and am researching how to do that. There are so many avenues to explore. That’s a reassuring aspect of choosing this career path: I still am always curious about the work and where it will lead.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Having moved to Long Beach during the pandemic, I’ve enjoyed visiting local spots and immersing myself in the Long Beach lifestyle. I love how it feels like a small, tight-knit community with big-city amenities and still close to Los Angeles.

You can start the day with a relaxing yoga session on the grass overlooking the beach by Ocean Blvd. A nice bike ride down the boardwalk in Long Beach is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the sun and beach. Stopping by Saltwater Deck for a quick bite and refreshment on the sand and continuing to find a good spot to lay out is a great way to enjoy the day. Belmont Shore is a quick jaunt from the beach, where you can enjoy shopping and good restaurants. The Window is an excellent option if you’re looking for a solid smash burger or Nicks on 2nd for something a bit fancier.

A classic Long Beach activity is the Aquarium of the Pacific. I like to get there early so I can avoid the crowds. It’s a beautiful space with colorful sea creatures everywhere. Afterward, you can catch the Long Beach Transit Aqualink and ride it to Alamitos Bay. It takes 40 minutes and only costs $5, and they sell snacks and drinks on the boat. For lunch, Ballast Point Brewery is right off the stop and has open-air seating with a great view of the bay. Schooner or Later is also a short walk away if you want a mimosa party with large diner-style portions. 2nd & PCH is also around the corner if you’re looking for other eateries and boutique shopping. You can find ice cream or boba there. Yum!

My friends are always looking to shop small and find great vintage pieces. 4th Street is the one-stop shop for vintage stores, cute boutiques, restaurants, and plant shops. I would start the morning off at Gusto and pick up a coffee, pastry, and some delicious sourdough for later. It is one of my favorite bakeries, and if you’re lucky, there will be only a short line. Breakfast can be followed with window shopping or maybe picking up a new plant friend for your window. Plantitas has a great variety of plants and pots to choose from. The Hangout is also a cute shop and wine bar for a sweet shopping experience. You can grab a slice of pizza at Little Coyote afterward.

Being so close to Los Angeles, I recommend venturing out to explore some sights and eateries. Growing up in Koreatown, there is something nostalgic about shopping at the Koreatown Plaza. It’s a large indoor shopping mall with all Korean shops, a grocery store, and a solid food court. I would get the Kingsized Tonkatsu, ddukbokki, maybe a Korean hot dog on a stick, some jiggly cheesecake to share, for a smorgasbord of Asian cuisines. Going to a cute cafe or boba shop afterward to relax and enjoy people-watching is an excellent way to catch up with friends.

Long Beach is super family-friendly and often has the perfect weather for an outdoor barbecue. Going to or having my own backyard barbecue is a great way to spend an afternoon. And if you don’t have a backyard, going to Mother’s Beach or the Lagoon near Belmont Shore for a beach picnic is just as good. Enjoying the chill vibes and the genuinely kind and hardworking people who live in Long Beach is probably the most enjoyable part of the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people in my life have supported my artistic career, but the few standouts would be my mom Kyong Pok, my son Rami, and my fiancée Reuben Foat. I wouldn’t be where I am without their love, support, and high tolerance of my silly quirks.

Website: https://hahnjewelry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hahnjewelry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hahnjewelry

Image Credits
Personal Photo Credit: Clara Rice @clara.rice.photo
Additional Photo Credit: Dhamee Hahn (self)