
fortenna - a combination of the words:
"forte" - a nod to my love of music and the idea of being strong, bold, and believing in yourself.
"enna" - my first name Anne spelled backwards
fortenna® jewelry is designed and created by Anne Nichelson, a jewelry artist specializing in sculptural wax carving.
“I design styles that you can cherish without compromise -- jewelry that you can deeply love and live in while embracing the everyday.” - Anne
My studio is where my creative vision meets my entrepreneurial spirit.
I believe jewelry, like music, touches us deeply. Just as music can comfort, energize, or define a moment of joy and celebration, I believe when you connect with a piece of jewelry, it helps you express your authentic self.
My path to designing and creating fine jewelry is unconventional. Though I loved art from childhood – from making clay brooches for my mom to finding inspiring pieces during my travels – a creative career wasn't initially on my radar. I studied entrepreneurship and international education, driven by my passion for small business.
After years in diverse corporate and non-profit roles, I realized I wanted to pursue a more creative path, drawing on my entrepreneurial spirit. This led me to immerse myself in the jewelry world, taking courses and gaining hands-on retail and studio experience. That's when I discovered wax carving and lost wax casting. Everything about it immediately drew me in, and it's now at the heart of everything I do.
In my New Bedford, Massachusetts studio I carefully carve and shape raw wax, turning it into meaningful pieces with organic forms and artful textures. It's a connection from my hands to yours.
My work is deeply inspired by wabi-sabi, an idea that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and imperfection. It's this appreciation for the beauty of things just as they are that I hope my jewelry reflects, allowing those who wear it to feel truly themselves.
- Anne