Ben Rosenblum, Founding Principal

Benjamin Rosenblum, AIA, LEED AP, leads Foundry and is the owner of the building that houses Foundry and Argos Warehouse. He was also the design architect and developer of the renovation of the space and building, completed in the Fall of 2017. Ben is also Principal of the architecture and design firm Ben Rosenblum Studio, and has more than fifteen years experience in the building and design industries, focusing on sustainable design and energy efficiency. Ben studied visual arts, political science, and environmental studies at Oberlin College, received a MArch from the Yale School of Architecture, and an MS in Building Science & Sustainability from UC Berkeley.

Elizabeth Thompson, Co-Manager & Head of Workshops

Designer Elizabeth Thompson, a Philadelphia native, received her BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in jewelry with an emphasis on the craft of silversmithing. After graduating in 2006 Thompson moved to New York City. Eager to establish a creative workspace with a solid sense of community, Elizabeth opened up FluxWork Studio in 2008. Innovative and truly one of a kind, FluxWork Studio offers a communal workspace for jewelers to work independently side by side. Elizabeth Knight Jewelry was founded shortly after. Thompson moved to Ithaca in 2014 where she opened the store Narrative Space with her partner Mark Zaharis and manages Foundry workshops and coworking spaces.

Hala Ostwani, Manager

Hala is a jewelry professional with over 20 years of experience. A prestigious international education has cultivated her knowledge and understanding of a diverse range of styles and design aesthetic in fine jewelry.  Hala graduated with a gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America. She went on to work as an in-house designer for some of the most renowned jewelry names in the world. After calling NYC home for over 20 years, Ostwani moved to Ithaca for more creative space and closeness to nature. In 2018 she put her years of experience and design skills together and created Hēya Design. Hēya is a successful jewelry + home goods company touring shows and markets all over the country.