Jewelry
I have been making jewelry for a living in Gainesville, Fla. since 1978. Primarily self-taught, I work mostly with silver and bronze. A variety of techniques are used, including forging, fusing, roller embossing, constructing, fabricating and casting. I strive for an elegance that speaks for the individual, yet retains a timeless quality.
Most of my designs are inspired by nature. Ideas come from the land and the sea. I use leaf and flower shapes because the compound curves, ruffled edges, and interesting textures translate well into metalsmithing techniques particularly forging, forming and roll embossing. Their organic shapes also help soften the hard look and feel of the metals. I like to use the gentle curves and tapers found in vines and sticks to tie elements together visually and physically. I like to use patinas on the copper based metals like bronze, brass, and copper to get beautiful greens, blues and earth tone colors. Shells and sea life offer infinite variety of shapes, forms, and textures. My seashell line is made from shells I've found on Florida beaches, directly molded and cast in solid metal (silver of bronze) to make exact replicas of the actual shell. I carve wax originals to make anatomically correct portraits of fish and animals and cast the resulting buckles in silver or bronze.
Balance and movement are important in my pieces, both visually and mechanically. Stones, colored metals and rich textures add visual interest and contrast to high polish areas. Attention to detail and finish is of utmost importance.
Most of my designs are inspired by nature. Ideas come from the land and the sea. I use leaf and flower shapes because the compound curves, ruffled edges, and interesting textures translate well into metalsmithing techniques particularly forging, forming and roll embossing. Their organic shapes also help soften the hard look and feel of the metals. I like to use the gentle curves and tapers found in vines and sticks to tie elements together visually and physically. I like to use patinas on the copper based metals like bronze, brass, and copper to get beautiful greens, blues and earth tone colors. Shells and sea life offer infinite variety of shapes, forms, and textures. My seashell line is made from shells I've found on Florida beaches, directly molded and cast in solid metal (silver of bronze) to make exact replicas of the actual shell. I carve wax originals to make anatomically correct portraits of fish and animals and cast the resulting buckles in silver or bronze.
Balance and movement are important in my pieces, both visually and mechanically. Stones, colored metals and rich textures add visual interest and contrast to high polish areas. Attention to detail and finish is of utmost importance.
