firefly jewelry: metalsmithing processes

Showing posts with label metalsmithing processes. Show all posts

Emily Watson Jewelry

I recently came across innovative

jewelry created by multi-talented

and as I read about her ideas and the multiple

processes she uses to create her jewelry

I found myself becoming increasingly more intrigued.

Among her varied range of collections my favorite
is the Smoke Proof Collection which
combines enamel with sterling silver.

However this collection is comprised of a

more labor-intensive range of elements

than one would ordinarily expect.

She begins by combining

etching and printing techniques

to pull paper prints of her designs.

But that’s only the first layer of work.
x

She then uses the etched copper plates

as a base for her enameling and

metalsmithing processes to create jewelry.

I especially like how she describes

her process and motivation.

Here's a portion of her detailed explanation.

Smoke proofing is a process originally used by
type cutters. As the shape was being cut,
progress was tested by blackening the image with
soot collected from a candle flame and then
printing it on paper . . . The idea of the smoke proof
appeals to me for several reasons.
The type of enameling I use most frequently,
champlevé, is closely tied to methods of printmaking.
A copper plate is etched to produce low areas
(which are filled with enamel) and raised fields . . .
I began this series of work thinking of the pieces
simply as playful experiments in printing an image
from one material to another . . . The marks left speak
about what is not present. The processes used to make them
are temperamental and difficult to reproduce . . .
The heated plate acts like the brief flash of heat that
turns powdered enamel to a solid glass surface.
It imprints a memory, and that
memory then becomes a piece of jewelry.

By understanding the various elements of
her work I can see more layers of interest
in each piece.

Her innovative combination of techniques
and her spirit of exploration
captures and inspires
my imagination.
It is work that's created
thoughtfully and meticulously
and the results show it.

Be sure to take a look at the entire range
of her work on Emily Watson's website.

reade more...

Wendy Edsall-Kerwin Jewelry

Metal collars that wrap around the
neck in sultry swirls and
asymmetrically-shaped rings and pendants

are just a few examples of the gorgeous

handcrafted jewelry by Wendy Edsall-Kerwin.

Made with sterling silver, copper,

gemstones and even river rock

this jewelry evokes a spirit of

spontaneous movement.

I like how the artist innovatively

explores contrasts such as,

rough with smooth, light with dark,

and precious with non-precious.

See more of Wendy Edsall-Kerwin's work on her website.

reade more...

Aleksandra Vali Jewelry

Aleksandra Vali describes her work

perfectly as "feelings carved into metal."

Her highly-textured work revolves
around experiments with silver

combined with various materials

like gold, shells, diamonds, gemstones, pearls,

corals, textiles, lava rocks, and plastics.

A variety of techniques allows her to
make the most out of these materials
through carving, casting, riveting,
oxidizing, etching and metalsmithing.

I especially like how

the rough texture of the metal

is contrasted by

smooth pearls and other gemstones.

Take a look at Aleksandra Vali's website

to see more of her wonderful work.

reade more...

Lisa Colby Jewelry

Metalsmith Lisa Colby designs

her visions in silver then adds
gold, gemstones or found objects.
I especially like how her work
shows the mark of the human hand.

In other words, I like how she
speaks metal.

She explains her work,

I create jewelry that is fabricated entirely by hand. One of the techniques I employ is that of melting sterling silver and manipulating this material while it is hot to achieve the organic shapes often seen in my designs.

For more views of all her varied collections
see Lisa Colby's website.

reade more...

Surface Effects on Mixed Metals - Sharrey Doré Jewelry

Hand-fabricated pieces made in sterling silver

and 14K gold, work by Sharrey Doré delightfully

combines various elements, textures,

and pattern effects in the creation of

contemporary jewelry.

This artist is a metalsmith with innovative ideas
each beautifully expressed by
a compelling design with a strong
architectural or Asian influence.

Using techniques such as reticulation, fusing
and embossing, she purposely sets out to explore
and develop her own processes in
surface texturing and patterning on metal.

The results are lovely one-of-a-kind
miniature sculptures.

I especially love her pieces featuring
gold granulation over silver.
It enhances that striking contrast
between the gold and silver.

Be sure to visit Sharrey Doré's website

to see more of this beautiful mixed-metal work.

reade more...

Variations on a Theme - Hilary Hachey Jewelry

Repetition is a central theme
for Hilary Hachey.
Using a combination of cast and hand-fabricated elements
she focuses on two central collections
to showcase her beautiful jewelry.

Her work is characterized by seemingly endless,
fascinating variations on a theme.
One collection features a curvaceous oval shape
and, by contrast, the other emphasizes
linear use of cubes and squares.

And that is the point.

This jewelry is based on the principles
of the Bauhaus movement which is
defined by, among other things,
a definite geometric style -
it is the repetition, asymmetry,
and specific geometric shapes that form the
visual language for her jewelry.
Even with these repeating elements
this jewelry is far from monotonous or boring.
Elements are grouped in myriad ways to
make this jewelry seem rhythmic and almost lyrical.

This is how the artist describes her work,

“I consider my work to be architectonic. That is, a type of perceived sensibility to form and design that prefers the simple over the complex, and the well-built over the mass-produced. I adopted the Bauhaus name for my jewelry because the Bauhaus aesthetic utilizes economy of method and severe geometry of form.

Here are some examples of her amazing work.

She seems to have an enormous repertoire of
designs that use the cube, box and oval as
primary structural themes, and she creates
endless, expressive riffs on these themes.

What I like is that each piece is familiar, but not the same.

It all comes together under Hilary's discerning eye to
create pieces that are edgy yet cohesive.

See more of Hilary Hachey's designs at her

website and Facebook page.

reade more...

Shimmery Shibuichi - Achieving Complex Colors - Jill Hermans Jewelry

I recently came across this beautiful

lustrous jewelry created

by Jill Hermans.
The shimmering colors drew me
as strongly as a moth to a flame;
as one's angle of viewing changes the
nuanced colors change as well.

She achieves a compelling range of
colorful effects by applying heat to

shibuichi, an ancient Japanese alloy

of 75% copper and 25% silver.

There's something about
her work that I find peaceful and relaxing;
when I read her description of her work,
it helps to explain why:

“…..At the present time my mind is occupied with the Japanese alloy shibuichi, and Japanese ideals of beauty and truth that seem to click so well with this rich material. By juxtaposing simple shapes and forms with rich and intricate surface colours and textures I am able to create a balance between simplicity and complexity. These explorations result in playful works that push the boundaries of conventional perceptions of the material, while still staying true to the essence of the metal.”