Gem City Style: Shop Local 2025

Jessica Hunter

Local artist Tiffany Wolfe created her business Rustic Wolves as a way of reusing antique flatware while honoring and preserving the items' history by turning them into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.

Stepping into a conversation with Tiffany Wolfe is like stepping into a well-loved antique shop: every piece has a story, a history, and a touch of deeply personal charm. As the creative force behind Rustic Wolves, Wolfe transforms antique silverware and keepsakes into ruggedly beautiful, wearable jewelry, bridging the gap between cherished memory and modern style. Her work is more than just accessories; it is an act of heirloom revival, built on her commitment to quality and storytelling.

Wolfe describes the aesthetic of her brand as having a rustic feel that is deeply connected to her personal history. "Every part of the brand and the business has a little piece of my heart, my soul, and my roots in it," she shares. Growing up in a very small town centered around family and nature, her pieces pull in that love for the outdoors. However, the distinct look of Rustic Wolves is also rooted in the history of her materials – she uses all antique utensils, ensuring a piece of the past is built within every design

Her love for the craft started when she was just 10 years old. Having spent countless hours with her grandparents, Wolfe developed a love for items that tell a story. She once persuaded her grandmother to part with a piece of her silverware collection, which her grandfather then helped her transform into jewelry in the garage. This moment solidified her passion for taking cherished, historical items and giving them a second, wearable life.

Wolfe's creative process begins with "the hunt." She is meticulous about sourcing her materials – spending time at thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets. Beyond commercial sourcing, she often works with local families who trust her to turn their own generational pieces into new accessories.

"A lot of people think silverware making is very easy," she explains, "but it's a long, personal process." After the sourcing, she dedicates significant time to the painstaking, detailed work of cleaning, soaking, and sanding away years of wear. She stresses that she will never mass-produce: "I always value quality over quantity," she asserts. This dedication to slow, intentional forming and polishing is what sets her work apart and gives her pieces their signature depth.

The most meaningful part of her business, she says, is the heirloom revival collection – a service that allows clients to bring their own family silverware to be transformed into new pieces. Wolfe recalls turning a single antique fork that a client's husband brought back from Italy into six unique pieces for their family, preserving not just the metal, but the memories tied to it.

Blending "rustic charm with modern wearability" is a deliberate choice for Wolfe. Now based in the city, she carries the simplicity of her upbringing into her contemporary designs. "I want it to be an easy transition," she says, "from being out in the woods or in nature to going out to an elegant dinner with my friends."

That balance is perfectly captured in her own favorite piece – a pair of earrings made from her grandmother's fork tines paired with spent bullet primers she collected with her grandpa. It's a beautiful fusion of family history, nature, and personal style.

Ultimately, Wolfe hopes her customers feel strong, courageous, and independent when wearing her designs. She draws inspiration from the spirit of her namesake, the wolf, symbolic of strength and the free spirit. Looking ahead, Rustic Wolves is focused on growth with purpose, specifically expanding the heirloom revival collection and incorporating more repurposed materials like leather, all while building strong relationships with other local makers in the Erie area.

Wolfe reminds us that for her, the jewelry is "deeper than just a piece of accessory." It's about the connection and the memories set around the dinner table. When you wear a piece from Rustic Wolves, you are not just wearing metal; you are bringing a tangible piece of family history with you.

To learn more about Tiffany Wolfe and to view the Rustic Wolves collection, visit them on rusticwolves.com. You can also find her pieces in local antique stores, like the Copper Carriage downtown.

Gem City Style is a monthly column featuring an intimate Q&A with someone making a creative impact in Erie. If you or someone you know would make a good fit for a future Gem City Style, email jessica@eriereader.com