Main Menu
Sub Menu
Margaret Östling
Margaret, the founding member of Östling and Brooks, Ltd. is the head jewelry designer in our firm. As creative director, she is involved in the jewelry making process of each original piece from the beginning to the very end. The great majority of the jewelry in our showroom is her design and creation. She creates the original wax models, casts them in precious metals, finishes the pieces and sets any gemstones involved. With attention to detail, she oversees all creative aspects of the business including showroom and display design and portfolio photography.
Margaret has always been involved in art, drawing and painting since her childhood. Extensive travel in Europe and Asia early in life exposed her to a wide variety of artistic influences. As a graduate student in architectural design, an elective jewelry class was the spark that ignited her career in the field. Her technical training includes a goldsmithing apprenticeship in Chicago and advanced stone setting classes from the Gemological Institute of America of Carlsbad, CA. She has won several national and international awards for her jewelry designs, including two coveted De Beers Diamonds Awards.
When Margaret is not up to her elbows in gold dust you can find her "at the barn" immersed in the world of her equine companions.
Artistic expression has always been a necessity for me. I had always felt that I would be a painter, particularly as a child and young woman living and traveling with my parents in the Orient, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The exposure to many of the great art masterpieces of the world made a deep and lasting impression on my young mind and spirit.
I pursued my calling with a passion into my college years. As a fine art student in the '70's, abstract art was "in". "Express yourself - paint your emotions" my professors said. I was a realist, and absorbed in detail... a duck out of water.
Turning from this experience, my determination to earn a living with my artwork led me to design school. It was while studying architectural design as a graduate student that I became attracted to the work of the resident artist-blacksmiths. I soon became fascinated with the techniques used to form metal, a seemingly very hard, immutable substance, into sculptural and even intricate shapes. Taking great enjoyment in turning my design experience in this direction, it was not long before I was hooked on the possibilities offered by gold and silver. In the following years while working as a designer, I continued my studies and love affair with metalsmithing until I was capable and confident enough to turn my talents to creating jewelry full-time.
My Work Philosophy
I have been working professionally as a jewelry designer and gold smith since 1981. My work is now composed primarily of high carat gold and platinum, colored gemstones and diamonds. I create each piece in its entirety, utilizing a combination of goldsmithing techniques. I set all my own stones, having received my formal training from the Gemological Institute of America.
I find that my training and experience in the design field has had a great influence on my work as a gold smith. In particular, the Pythagorean concept that "Man is the measure of all things" is often my guide. I believe that jewelry can and should be comfortable in addition to being aesthetically pleasing.
When designing and executing a piece, I strive to be acutely aware of body proportion and movement. As a result, my style has evolved into one of subtle asymmetry, following the natural curves and angles of the human form. For instance, I have devised a technique of creating my ring designs to be either right or left-handed. Throughout the design therefore, most of my ring shanks are not straight. They are curved and sculpted into the rings design so that they do not come into contact with one's knuckles and are balanced in such a way that they are barely felt when worn.
Margaret Ostling
Designer/Goldsmith
EDUCATION
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, IL
Undergraduate studies in Fine ArtMaryville University - St. Louis, MO
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, 1975Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, IL
Graduate Studies, Metal ArtsLizzadro Jewelry School - Elmurst, IL
Continuing Education, Jewelry & Lapidary StudiesNorthern Illinois University - De Kalb, IL
Graduate Studies, Metal ArtsRocky Mt. College - Summervail Workshops - Vail, CO
Continuing Education, Metal ArtsJewelry Arts Institute - New York, N.Y.
Continuing Education - granulation, niello, and enamelingGemological Institute of America - Santa Monica, CA
Advanced Stone Setting, Channel Setting, Pave Setting.Highline Community College - Federal Way, WA -
Professional Jewelry Rendering Techniques, Enameling Symposium
AWARDS
De Beers' Diamonds International Award, London Finalist and Honorable Mention London, England
Spectrum Award Winner, American Gem Trade Association
De Beers Diamonds Today Award Winner, New York
American Vision Award Winner, Professional Category, Manufacturing Jewelers & Silversmiths of America
Vision Award Design Competition, Award of Excellence, American Pearl Company
EXHIBITIONS and SHOWS
Del Mano Gallery (Featured Artist) - Los Angeles, CA
Concepts Gallery - Carmel, CA
Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Fair (Bellevue Art Museum) - Bellevue, WA
Artfest (Cheney-Cowles Art Museum) - Spokane, WA
Carillon Festival of the Arts - Kirkland, WA
Diamonds International Award Exhibit - London England - February
AGTA Spectrum Award - USA Tour
Diamonds Today Award - USA Tour
MJSA American Vision Award - Jewelers of America New York Show January
PUBLICATIONS
Illinois Artisans and Craftsmen - Barrett & Schuller
Goodfellow Catalog of Wonderful Things - Chilton
Gems and Minerals Magazine (jewelry-making articles published)
Modern Jewelers Magazine
Jewelers Circular Keystone Magazine
Asia Precious Magazine
National Jeweler