HAND TEXTURED EARRINGS

Many things can be used to create texture on silver metal for jewelry. A few examples I’ve used for my handmade jewelry are paper, seaweed, dried leaves and plastic. I’ve included a few examples of the textures I’ve created and used for earrings.

The textured pattern for the earrings I’m modeling was made in my studio by “sandwiching” laser cut paper over sterling silver sheet metal. That “sandwich” gets passed through a piece of equipment called a rolling mill, at very high pressure. The paper image gets transfered to the silver. The result shown here is a rich organic texture that I use to fabricate earrings. Other examples of textures I’ve enjoyed creating for may handmade jewelry can be seen below. These include the use of seaweed and plastic egg cantons.

Jewelry can be about many things such as fashion; things that are precious and important to us or what we hold sacred and identify with. Handmade jewelry reflects those interests with attention to detail, process and design decision unique to each piece.

Image credit: Mark Forman

Texture impression earring

Water ripple texture made by rolling plastic egg carton over sterling silver .

Seaweed texture earring:

LEAF AND VINE EARRINGS

We’re deep into autumn with winter closing in fast. This time of year is beautiful but I felt the need to connect with warmer days. I chose a leaf and vine pattern for these sterling silver earrings because it reminds me of things lush and growing.

The earring sterling silver body is light weight making them comfortable to wear. I forge a gentle curved into the metal which reflects the light from different angles. They are stamped with the 925 quality mark. The pattern and shape of the earrings varies slightly making each matched pair unique from the next pair.

Here’s a short version of how I make them : I select the leaf and vine pattern that fits best with the petal shaped earring body. That selection gets imprinted on sterling silver sheet metal and is then forged into a gental rose petal like curve. A patina, which darkens the metal is applied. Hand buffing and polishing brings out the pattern detail on the high lights.

FLOWERS AS INSPIRATION

Summer is gone now and today is a rainy autumn morning. Most of the flowers in my garden have faded but I continue to be in awe of the image of this glorious bouquet from my summer garden.

The hot riot of colors, the shapes and textures in this bouquet inspired the beginning of the beaded necklace below. I couldn’t resist putting aside my metal work for just a bit to explore this bouquet and “paint” with colorful beads as a means to pay homage to natures beauty.

I’ll complete the triple stranded necklace on some rainy and cold day and remember the glory of the colors, shapes and textures in this bouquet.

A big shout out to my daughter who designed a marvelous flower garden for us this year. Nature, especially flowers are an inspiration for artists.

TRIPLE STRAND GEMSTONE AND GLASS BEAD NECKLACE IN PROGRESS

FLOWERS AS INSPIRATION

Summer is synonymous with flowers and nature is a constant source of inspiration for artists . Roses are bursting into bloom, anomenios, filled with color and shape are popping opened and the garden is a riot of color.

The call of spending time in my flower garden makes it hard to get to my jewelry bench this time of the year. Below are a few metal flowers waiting patiently to be made into jewelry.

An anemonie in my flower garden.

Metal flowers inspired by those found in my garden are waiting to be made into jewelry.

INSPIRATION

Here’s a look at some behind the scenes studies I’ve created. These drawings and photographs serve as inspiration for design jewelry designs or art work.

Star flowers in my spring garden.

Contour line drawing in my sketch book..

ENGRAVED RING

Many years ago a very skilled engraver created a tie tack and embellished it with a beautiful floral design. The engraving work is masterful and elegant.

 I received a commission to transform the domed component of the tie tack into a ring. I carefully took the tie tack apart and created a split shank ring band to mount the oval component onto.

Contact me here if you’d like to inquire about custom work.

A ring I made from an antique tie tack.

Magnolia Flower

Spring is in full swing and my tulip magnolia is about to burst opened! I planted this tree 27 years ago to celebrate the upcoming birth of our daughter.

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Silver Dangle Earrings

Oval silver earrings are a staple in my wardrobe. I wear my handmade sterling silver earrings with on an oval necklace, a few bangle bracelets and a ring or two for a polished look. These earrings are my go to choice for everyday too. At home, going to work or other casual ware they work great. I love versatility!

The design inspiration of these buff textured sterling silver earrings comes from the Atlantic Slipper Shell. I see this shell in abundance while walking on the shores of the Long Island Sound. Things I see everyday flow through my mind and come out in the shapes, textures and forms in my jewelry designs. Want to see more? Click here to visit my Etsy store and see more .

Atlantic Slipper Shell With Slipper Earrings

Silver Slipper Earring with Atlantic Slipper shell foot

The Atlantic Slipper Shell is eaten as an Italian delicacy and is called “Oo moonch”.

Sculptural Hoop Earrings

These “wishbone” hoop earrings developed out of a ring shank design I was working on. I was in the process of splitting a ring band in half and it occurred to me that the split wire mimics the shape of a wishbone. I decided to go off plan and let creativity take hold, and adapted the ring into an earring. Sometimes the best creations are spontaneous!

The small bead of orange carnelian is crowned with a silver cap that finishes the bead.

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Sculptural Hoop Earring

Hoop earring