Process

Metal

I am primarily and proudly a metalsmith. I love working with metal using saws, files, hammers, rolling mills, hydraulic press, forming stakes and torches. From 2-dimenisional flat sheets of sterling silver I make 3-dimensional shapes. While the sculptural shapes look solid they are light-weight hollow-forms.

 I texture my sterling sheets with etching (see my blog for more info), a rolling mill, and texture hammers. 

Findings: After repairing one too many inexpensive commercial clasps, I decided to make my own I want my catches, clasps, ear wires, pendant bails, to be easy to use, comfortable to wear, and durable….and importantly fit the design of the piece. I take great pride in fabricating my own findings. My box clasps have taken on a life of their own, as this clasp has now become the center piece for many of my necklaces. I tell customers that the wonderful pearls or gem stone beads are just a fancy chain for my box clasp.

Wood

I wanted to add a new element to my work that gave me the freedom to be more spontaneous in my designs. I returned to my love of wood working learned from my dad.

I start with chunks of wood, either ebony-black or holly-white, or wood that I have custom dyed, to specific colors.

Some of these are sawn into narrow strips to be laminated and re-laminated to specific stripe patterns. Other pieces are used as a solid color and shapes cut out of them.

Once, I have the rough-cut final shape, I carve it to its final form. 

Putting it together-the hard part:

This is perhaps the most difficult part of working with metal & wood. Metal is joined with heat, flame, solder. Wood requires a different approach. It has taken time/years to develop the conversation between the metal and the wood so I can join them seamlessly, stay within my design parameters for each piece. Again, wearability, durability, and always integrated design are paramount. As you look at my work, in my Shop enjoy these connections.