The love of handmade jewelry
The mysterious beauty of handmade jewelry from past centuries has always captured my fantasy. Who created it and how? Who wore it? The eternal desire to decorate oneself. The roughness as well as the delicacy of past jewelry stroke a chord with me. These antique pieces are at the center of my inspiration. The patterns, textures and colors of my creations are inspired by the workmanship of jewelry makers of the past. Nature is an other endless source of my creativity.
Jewelry has meaning for the wearer. It ranges from embellishment to protection, love, friendship, religion, health, superstition, wealth, affiliation ......
Jewelry has meaning for the wearer. It ranges from embellishment to protection, love, friendship, religion, health, superstition, wealth, affiliation ......
As a child I played in meadows and a nearby forest. We made flower wreaths and chestnut necklaces to wear. Later I experimented with wire wrapping. Then I started a different professional career working in museums. Later in life when I moved to the US from my native Germany I revived my passion for handmade jewelry and took classes at the Monterey Community College in California to learn the basics and more. I started to hand fabricate and sell my pieces. It is now for over 15 years that I fabricate jewelry. Each piece is close to my heart and I enjoy to getting to know who acquires my creations.
Making jewelry
To fabricate my jewelry I use Sterling Silver, Fine Silver, Copper, 14k Gold Filled, and 24k Gold foil. I fuse 24k Gold foil to Fine Silver through heat. This is a Korean technique called Keum Boo. Reticulation is one of my favorite techniques. Heating Sterling Silver - after depletion gilding - to the point where the Fine Silver on the surface liquifies and then retracting the flame when the result seems pleasing. The wrinkles will stay. This is an adventure with ever changing results. To create the desired surface texture I hammer, bend, pierce, stamp, often with unexpected results.
Gemstones add color and sparkle to my designs. Garnet, Peridot, Blue or White Topaz, Sodolite, Turquoise, Labradorite, Citrine, Moonstone, Chrysoprase and Onyx are some of the gemstones I use. Sometimes when I find unusual glass beads they are becoming part of my designs.
Gemstones add color and sparkle to my designs. Garnet, Peridot, Blue or White Topaz, Sodolite, Turquoise, Labradorite, Citrine, Moonstone, Chrysoprase and Onyx are some of the gemstones I use. Sometimes when I find unusual glass beads they are becoming part of my designs.