Yuka Saito is an artist born and raised in Japan who graduated from Tezukayama Gakuin University in Osaka, Japan, in 1990. Following her undergraduate studies, Saito studied studio jewelry under Fumiko Tsubo at Atelier Dome in Osaka for five years before moving to New York to achieve a degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Yuka is drawn to nontraditional materials; her pieces reflect her knowledge of traditional techniques and experimental methods. In Yuka’s “Spice” series, the pieces are made with polycaprolactone, a circular life cycle material, and colored with natural spices. She uses spices that remain deep in her memories visually and sensorially, associated with the culture and people from her journeys. Yuka is inspired by the relationships that spices have with different cultures and people.

Spice Landscape Layered, brooch, Polycaprolactone, various spices ,pyrite, sterling silver(catch), stainless steel(pin)

Spice-Beets, necklace, polycaprolactone, beets extract, moonstone

Spiced Treasures-AC, earrings, polycaprolactone, azurite, charcoal, stainless steel

Spice-BE, brooch, polycaprolactone, beets extract, stainless steel(pin)

Spice Landscape Birch, necklace, polycaprolactone, various spices, pyrite

Spice Knot, brooch, polycaprolactone, various spices, pyrite, fluorite, sterling silver(catch), stainless steel(pin)

Spice-BP, brooch, polycaprolactone, beets extract, paprika, stainless steel(pin)

Fabric, ring, oxidized silver

Bridges 3, earrings, oxidized silver

Yosegi, ring, oxidized silver

Bridges 1, earrings, oxidized silver

Rain Drop, earrings, oxidized silver, crystal

Bridges 2, earrings, oxidized silver