Nestled in the heart of the Hudson Valley, we sat down with Kingston-based artisan, Sherri Cohen, to talk about her handcrafted jewelry, eco-printed textiles, and Judaica that are deeply rooted in the natural world and personal meaning. Drawing inspiration from the region's forests, rivers, and seasonal rhythms, her work bridges tradition and contemporary craft in ways that are as intentional as they are beautiful.
You create handcrafted jewelry, eco-printed textiles, and Judaica — a remarkable range. How did your journey as a Hudson Valley artisan begin, and how did you arrive at these three distinct crafts?
My journey really began with a love of working with my hands and a deep connection to nature. I started out making jewelry years ago, first experimenting with metals and stones and slowly learning traditional metal smithing techniques. Over time I became interested in how natural materials could be incorporated into my work - not only stones and wood, but also plants and organic forms.
Living in the Hudson Valley played a huge role in expanding my practice. The landscape here is incredibly inspiring, and I found myself drawn to the colors, textures, and seasonal changes around me. That curiosity eventually led me to eco-printing, where I could literally capture the shapes and pigments of local leaves and botanicals onto silk and fabric.
Judaica emerged from my personal and cultural roots. I wanted to create ceremonial objects that felt both meaningful and contemporary - pieces that people could use in their homes and pass down through generations. In many ways, all three areas of my work are connected by the same themes: nature, tradition, and creating objects with lasting personal meaning.
Eco printing is a technique that's capturing a lot of attention in the sustainable fashion world. Can you walk us through your process — how do Hudson Valley botanicals like oak, maple, sumac, and eucalyptus actually leave their mark on silk scarves and fabric?
Eco printing is a beautiful blend of art and nature, and every piece is truly one of a kind. I begin by foraging leaves and botanicals locally - oak, maple, sumac, and sometimes eucalyptus — paying attention to the season because each plant produces different colors and patterns throughout the year.
The leaves are carefully arranged on natural fabrics like silk. The fabric is then rolled tightly around a bundle and steamed or heated for several hours. During this process, the tannins and pigments in the leaves transfer directly into the fibers of the fabric, leaving behind incredibly detailed impressions - sometimes you can see the veins of the leaf.
Because it’s a natural process, there’s always an element of surprise. The chemistry between the plant, the fabric, and the heat creates unique variations in color and pattern every time. That unpredictability is part of what makes eco printing so magical — the plants themselves become collaborators in the final design. Of course, In the deep winter months, because Hudson Valley botanicals for successful printing can be hard to find, some of my textiles are hand painted.
Your handcrafted jewelry uses sterling silver, gold, semi-precious gems, and locally sourced woods. What goes into designing a one-of-a-kind piece, and what draws you to working with natural and recycled materials?
Designing a one-of-a-kind piece begins with listening — to the materials and sometimes to the person the piece is being made for. I often start with a stone, a piece of wood, or a particular shape that inspires me. From there I begin to imagine how the elements can work together to create something balanced and meaningful.
I’m especially drawn to natural and recycled materials because they carry a sense of history and authenticity. Stones formed over thousands of years, wood shaped by the landscape, or recycled metals that are given new life - all of these materials bring depth to the piece.
Using these materials also aligns with my values around sustainability and mindful craftsmanship. I want the things I make to feel connected to the natural world and to be cherished for many years.
Made X Hudson champions makers who are rooted in this region. What does it mean to you to be creating sustainable, handmade work from your studio in Kingston, NY — and how does the Hudson Valley landscape show up in what you make?
The Hudson Valley is an incredible place to be an artist and maker. There’s a long tradition of craft here, and a community that truly values handmade work. Being based in Kingston allows me to stay connected to both nature and a vibrant creative community.
The landscape influences my work constantly - the colors of autumn leaves, the textures of bark and stone, the quiet beauty of the forests and rivers. In eco printing, those influences are literal, because the plants from the region become part of the finished textile.
Even in my jewelry, you can see echoes of the natural forms around me - organic shapes, earthy materials, and pieces that feel grounded and timeless. Living and working here keeps me closely connected to the rhythms of the seasons, which naturally find their way into what I create.
Your handmade Judaica — mezuzahs, menorahs, Seder plates, yads — sits alongside your wearable art. How do you approach creating ceremonial pieces, and what do you hope they bring to the people and families who use them?
When I create Judaica, I think about the role these objects play in people’s lives. They’re not just decorative, they’re part of family traditions, rituals, and celebrations that bring people together.
My goal is to create pieces that feel both rooted in tradition and personally meaningful. I try to design them in ways that honor the symbolism and history behind the objects while also allowing them to feel contemporary and artistic.
I hope that when families use these pieces — lighting a menorah, placing a mezuzah on their doorway, or gathering around a Seder plate — they feel a sense of connection, not only to their heritage but also to the craftsmanship behind the object. Ideally, these are pieces that become part of family stories and are passed down over time.
Custom orders are a signature part of your work. What does it look like to collaborate with someone on a personalized, handcrafted jewelry piece or a bespoke eco-printed textile — and what's a commission that's stayed with you?
Collaborating on a custom piece is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. It usually begins with a conversation -learning about the person, the occasion, or the story behind the piece they’re imagining. From there I sketch ideas, select materials, and refine the design together until it feels right.
Because the work is handmade, there’s a very personal process involved. People often come to me to commemorate something meaningful - a wedding, an anniversary, or a special milestone.
One commission that stayed with me was creating a piece that incorporated a family heirloom stone into a new design. It allowed the client to carry a piece of family history in a form they could wear every day. Moments like that remind me how powerful handcrafted objects can be. They hold memory and meaning.
For someone discovering your work for the first time on Made X Hudson, what do you hope they take away — and what do you want them to feel when they wear your jewelry or bring your eco-printed scarves and textiles into their home?
I hope people feel a sense of connection - to nature, to craftsmanship, and to the story behind the piece. In a world where so many things are mass-produced, handmade objects carry a different kind of energy. They’re slower, more intentional, and deeply personal.
When someone wears one of my pieces of jewelry or wraps themselves in an eco-printed scarf, I hope they feel that connection to the natural world and to the care that went into making it.
Ultimately, I want the work to bring a little beauty and meaning into everyday life - something that feels special, timeless, and uniquely theirs.
