Best of Boston

In a world where simply stringing beads qualifies as jewelry-making, Nicole Rueda-Watts stands in a class by herself. Trained in metalworking in the storied Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende, Cambridge-based Rueda-Watts mixes fine silver, bronze, and brass work with feathers, leather, African trade beads, carnelian, moonstones, and pearls, creating stunning original pieces.