Artist's Statement
The physical creation of forging jewelry out of raw materials is a labor-intensive process that I constantly explore. The materials evolve through a process of puzzle solving, and the manipulation and movement of metal, creating hand-constructed jewelry. I am drawn to the relationship between the metal, stones, movement and form, and how they transform the wearer.
My workbench sits directly under several skylights allowing me to clearly see the musings of my mind, spilled all over my large oak desk. Stones are on a marble slab in a concoction of kaleidoscopic proportions, ready to be set or waiting for their day with a new idea. A large machinist’s chest sits on my desk with oak drawers open, implements of fabrication⎯tools such as hand files, pliers, and hammers⎯peering out, anticipating their use.
Utilizing hammers or a 20-ton jack, I sink and form the metal creating hollow, organic free-formed shapes. The shapes have the feeling of movement like seaweed flowing back and forth in slow motion underwater. Some of these shapes have creases in them, adding a clean texture of lines created by fold-forming the metal⎯a process of folding, hammering and unfolding to make a crease. Using intrinsic properties of the metal, oxidized sterling silver accented with gold adds a dramatic element of contrast. The sterling assumes a black patina while the gold remains bright.
To further suit the needs of each piece, I fabricate the clasps, incorporating them directly into the design allowing function, as well as adornment. Each clasp is made specific to the motif; some set with stones, while other clasps take on the shapes represented in the rest of the piece. The custom hand-designed clasp brings continuity of the specific design into the function, wearability, and safety (of not losing it) of the jewelry. In completing each piece, surfaces are textured, matte or brushed, using everything from abrasive wheels to sandpaper, adding a soft canvas for the stones.
Natural stones are the palette that I draw from joining different textures, shapes, and hues: Raw muted sapphire flats and raw chunks of Kelly green emeralds; natural tourmaline crystals like rock candy in pink and green; crystallized drusy in charcoal, persimmon and the same shade of hot pink as the walls of my childhood bedroom; color change and bi-colored faceted stones add a flash of sparkle; smooth milky cabochons look like new flavors of jelly beans in blue, orange, plum, and green. I combine rough and faceted, showing two faces of the same stone, usually set up against or joined with an organic shaped hollow form.
I seek contrasts allowing odd relationships to gain new perspectives, which is also what I hope to achieve when the jewelry is worn. The body offers itself as an easel and the wearer offers their individual perspective and interaction with the piece⎯transforming both the jewelry and the person. It is my great pleasure to observe this relationship.