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I work alone, designing and creating all of the pieces presented.
My jewelry is fabricated from precious metals.
Starting with gold and silver purchased in sheet and wire form, I manipulate the metals by sawing (fundamental shape or design element), piercing (drilling holes for access or decoration), forging (repeatedly heating and hammering out shape), and forming (with pliers or striking with a mallet over a mandrel or shaping by hand).
Elements of design and texture are achieved by acid etching (applying a resist on a small piece of metal, drawing a unique design, placing metal in acid, design emerging in relief), chasing [using a chasing tool (a small chisel type of tool, which I invariably make myself) and hammer, for moving the metal], hammering (employing different sizes and shapes of hammers for surface effect), roller printing (placing metal with textured surface- such as a nickel sheet that I have etched a design into or even a piece of sandpaper through a rolling mill to mirror textured surface, or for flattening married metals), and crocheting (literally crocheting light gauge wire to create necklace and bracelet components).
Work is connected by using a torch and soldering.
I purchase stones individually, selecting each one for its color, vibrancy and personality. I use the incredible colors of the stones as paint combining them for intensity or subtlety and then create unusual metalwork to complement and enhance the stones.
Comfort and durability are taken into account in the design and execution of each piece.
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