Booth 228
(See map below)
About the Artist
I am a metalsmith and I work from my imagination; I do not sketch ahead of time. I will picture a piece in my mind and start to create from that 'picture'. One technique I love to use involves using pieces of sterling silver left over from other projects to create an eye pleasing piece of abstract art to wear as jewelry. For example in one of my photos, I created a 3 section pendant with this process. I solder and/or fuse all the pieces together so they make sense as a three section pendant. I left some negative spaces in the layout in each section so I could solder prongs and set faceted garnets in each of the 3 sections in that negative space . The finishing touch was to construct a beautiful sterling neck wire to hold the rather large statement pendant. After the piece is finished I almost always add some patina with liver of sulfur. I love doing this because the patina when applied and then polished back really brings out the texture of the piece. Texture is so important in all my pieces.
I make all the chains specifically to go with my handmade gemstone pendants from sterling silver wire. Every part of my jewelry pieces from clasps to settings to bails to chains are handmade by me from sterling silver using traditional metalsmithing techniques.
Every piece is truly a work of art that my customers love wearing.
Of course what I imagine in my head doesn't always work out the way I pictured it. These are the happy accidents which often turn out even better than what I first imagined. I have learned to be flexible in my actual work with the metal and make changes that will allow for the creation of my best possible piece ; a finished piece that looks and fits the best.
Based in Raleigh, NC
