Modern Heirloom® Fine Jewelry

I have noticed a pattern over the last 25 years of creating....yes I started at age 9 and then it was all about drawing disney characters as accurately as possible. It wasn't until I had many jewelry making years under my belt and I returned to drawing on the side that I noticed this pattern . I now try to make it a point to practice it regularly. What am I referring to? Improving your skill set through practicing another. After my art school days, I had been sculpting metal regularly. One day I felt inspired to sit down and randomly bust out a drawing. Low and behold, I was better at drawing than I ever had been before, Much better. Strange...I mean, I hadn't drawn in years. How could I have improved? What I found as I drew, was that my line no longer stopped at the visual edge of the object I was drawing. In my mind's eye, it traveled around the object. I could see the hidden areas. Working three dimensionally had taught me to better understand Contour and shape and mo

As I was exploring my facebook friends status reports this morning, I came across one that really got my brain ticking on a subject that has been in the background of our world since the start of my career. Why is there a Grand Divide between the Conceptual and the Fine jewelry worlds? Fortunately, there are leaders within our industry working steadily to build a bridge. This conversation was inspired by Cindy Edelstein , Jewelers Resource Bureau , and her upcoming talk on Fine Jewelry in an Arts & Crafts Gallery. Interestingly, the first comment on her status in which Cindy mentioned her talk was a woman claiming it’s just not possible or at least not worth it to show Fine jewelry in such an environment. The question this raised in my head is…just when did Fine Jewelry stop being “Art”. Historically, if we look to the early 1900s , we can see jewelry of such extreme artistry how could it be referred to as anything but and yet the creations of that time had every quality that def

As I have been searching for what to create for the Vision Awards,(Yes I know last minute) , it got me thinking about design inspiration.... In order to train eyes and hands to the paper, we must first train our eye to the world around us, where everyday objects can inspire extraordinary things. I often find myself looking for underlying shapes & observing the textures and colors within them. I learn to appreciate the movement of line.... in, around, and through space. Becoming a visual data collector, this sense of observation harnesses creative inspiration and develops design skills. Our environment can serve as a constant source of creative and visual inspiration. From the organic line work of a flower to the architectural detailing of a building , we are surrounded by an inspiring array of shape, texture, & color. In jewelry design, we must also look to the human figure for inspiration. Jewelry by definition is meant to interact with the body. It is a wearable art. The figu

Scrolls of imaginative and ornamental patterns can be found throughout the hand engraving world. As the process of cutting a scroll unfolds, it is as if you are watching leaves uncurl and vines intertwine. When I began engraving, I was introduced to the concepts behind designing a layout by a very talented engraver, Jason Marchiafava . Therefore it made perfect sense to introduce you all to him now. Thanks again, Jason for supplying this evenings imagery. Inspired by nature, the curling of an Oak leaf, and the blooming of a flower.... the key to a well en graved scroll begins with layout. As we draw and paint the scroll,we train our minds to the patterns of line and the cuts in the metal become second nature. Technique breaks the lusciousness of the scroll into a well defined series of repetitious cuts. I had the fortune of first observing these techniques through Jason's skillful hands. This is evident through the Scrolls pictured here inlaid with 24K Gold & featuring exhibi

Looking to the Masters of the early 1900's and beyond, we are inspired, humbled, and awestruck by the complexity of design, intricacy of detail, and masterful craftsmanship. We now have the privilege of ushering in this new era of advanced technology with tools such as computer aided design and milling, and laser welding at our fingertips. We are challenged to balance this technology with traditional hands on techniques in order to better not only ourselves, but our creations. The Creative process, from concept to completion, strikes a balance within our daily lives. As studio artists, we strive to continue to explore new ideas, master new techniques, practice old ones, and attack the daily challenges of custom design. Throughout it all, our goal remains to stay true to our artistic vision. Metalsmithing is a process. One which requires time, patience, and effort. Throughout this process, the creative mind is alive and inspiration can be found. Pulling inspiratio