Spectacular one-of-a-kind pieces of art jewelry carefully selected from Wantoot jewelry artists.
Whistle Pipe Ring
Regular price $95.00This bold, orange, one-of-a-kind ring, is hand carved from old stock black bakelite laminated with retired acrylic pipe stem. Ring size is 6 - 6.5.
2.3" x 1" x .75"
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Egyptian Necklace with Vintage Chain
Regular price $140.00This two-dimensional 4 piece pendant is reminiscent of jewelry created in ancient Egypt. the forms are hand-cut by the artist from brass sheet. Powder coated gloss color, charcoal. Vintage gold filled chain hangs 14" from neck.
pendant is approximately 3.5" L x 3" W
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My current body of work is a series of hand-cut, powder coated jewelry that focuses on image, pattern and decoration in order to reference ornamentation and historical jewelry. I am interested in a reality that exists through images and representations and how the appearance of an object can substitute for the original. The use of repeated iconic imagery is important to my work in order to establish a familiar identity between the viewer and the object.
BIOGRAPHY
Ashley Buchanan (b. 1986, Atlanta, Georgia), received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from the University of Georgia. Drawing on common jewelry motifs and iconic imagery, she individually hand-cuts silhouettes from sheet metal using a traditional jeweler’s saw. She then applies color using an industrial process called powder coating. This method of painting electrostatically covers metal with a dry pigment, which is then cured under heat to create a durable, uniform finish. Finally, she assembles these components together in order to create new simplified pieces of jewelry that maintain a clean contemporary aesthetic.
Black Pearl Ring
Regular price $220.00This one-of-a-kind ring is handmade of reclaimed wood and a black pearl. Size 7.
1.125" x 1.1875
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My training and personal development have led me to believe that humans surpass biological processes by creating. The desire to create is the vehicle by which we, as humans, extend our minds and souls beyond the limits of our physical selves. Through the material and creation of the work, I consider the complexities of the cycle of life. I recognize the truth that we are more of the natural world than of the created world. I parallel the ephemeral nature of wood to the experience of life and ask the viewer to consider the stages of life that are often overlooked by society. I have a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty and rather than working against the grain, I work with it.
My training and personal development have led me to believe that humans surpass biological processes by creating. The desire to create is the vehicle by which we, as humans, extend our minds and souls beyond the limits of our physical selves. Through the material and creation of the work, I consider the complexities of the cycle of life. I recognize the truth that we are more of the natural world than of the created world. I parallel the ephemeral nature of wood to the experience of life and ask the viewer to consider the stages of life that are often overlooked by society. I have a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty and rather than working against the grain, I work with it.
BIOGRAPHY
Gustav was exposed to the creation of art as a young boy on the southwest side of Chicago. After working long hours as a laborer, his father spent his free time creating jewelry. This special time passed watching his father would be some of his happiest childhood moments. As a young man, Gustav attended the Art Institute of Chicago where his horizons and understanding of art were greatly broadened. He also spent time at the Chicago Bauhaus Academy where he developed a strong understanding of and appreciation for furniture, cabinetry and the finer aspects of woodworking. His formal training, hands-on experience, and years of dedication to his craft have allowed him to find the point where nature breathes through the form, striking a balance between the contemporary and the ancient and crafting fine art that is deeply personal, contextual and alive.
Pulse Ring
Regular price $225.00The Pulse ring is hand fabricated from sterling silver with an oxidized and brushed finish. The circles feature inlay of eco-friendly, soy-based resin. The resin is hand tinted with non-toxic pigments. Ring size approximately 6.5. The design for the ring has been retired and this is the last piece available.
1.5” x .875” x .875”
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
I create modern jewelry that merges my graphic design and furniture making backgrounds, with my interest in mid-20th century design.
BIOGRAPHY
Matthew Smith began his creative career as a freelance graphic designer. Through his years in this field, he developed what he terms a “visually concise” design language. He also maintained a long running hobby as a woodworker and furniture maker. When a move to a new city required a dramatic downsizing of his studio, Smith began to focus on jewelry as a compact way to merge his diverse interests. He found inspiration from the jewelry designers of the mid-20th century who’s work emphasized strong design and alternative materials, over precious metals and gems.
Smith’s pieces begin as a graphic design which is worked and re-worked to develop the most concise expression of the concept. Design elements such as line weight, color, and pattern are translated into silver thickness, resin tint, and wood grain. Recently Smith has begun working with a new non-toxic casting resin made from soybeans and peanuts, which he tints with non-toxic painter’s pigments.
Matthew Smith received his BA in Fine Art from Wake Forest University. While there he focused on printmaking and sculpture. His education in silversmithing began by taking classes at the Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, Ohio as well as a jewelry class at the Penland School of Crafts. He has combined traditional silversmithing techniques with his woodworking skills to create a hybrid method of jewelry making.
MORE
Matthew's work can also be found at the following museum stores and non-profit shops:
Asher Gallery, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, Texas
Craft Alliance Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri
Treasure Ring #3
Regular price $230.00Bright sterling silver discs are hand-crafted into forms reminding us of diamond engagement rings. A one-of-a-kind treasure, handmade by the artist.
Size 7
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
The foundation of my jewelry design is based on the idea of organic themes mixing with machine inspired motifs, the interplay between these two extremes, and the beautiful and interesting mathematical patterns that occur in nature. Using sterling silver, gold and gemstones, typical combinations include: stars, fur, flower petals, pine needles and bird's wings, alongside machine parts and perfect geometric shapes. Kinetic movement plays an important role in the designs, concentric circles spinning inside hexagons or a stairway of silver folding like a puzzle. Techniques used to create the jewelry include metal forging, intricate soldering, bezel fabrication, gem setting and wire wrapping. The themes are complex and original, but the jewelry itself is very simple and stylish.
BIOGRAPHY
Jennifer grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and studied studio arts at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. While there, she experimented with various media, from photography and film to steel welding and mixed media sculpture. There was a freedom working with precious metals that Jennifer could not find in other media. The malleability, textures, and unlimited possibilities of raw metal continue to excite her creative impulses. Along with the flexibility and natural beauty of metals, the idea of metal as industrial material was an intriguing concept that inspired much of her early pieces, and continues to today.
In 2011, Jennifer's first book, Hot Connections Jewelry (Random House) was published. Hot Connections Jewelry is a complete sourcebook of jewelry making techniques using a torch.Jennifer lives and works in South Boston's Fort Point Channel neighborhood. There, she enjoys a very supportive community of artists and friends.
Treasure Ring #2
Regular price $250.00Bright sterling silver beads encircle this sterling one-of-a-kind ring, handmade by the artist.
Size 7.5
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
The foundation of my jewelry design is based on the idea of organic themes mixing with machine inspired motifs, the interplay between these two extremes, and the beautiful and interesting mathematical patterns that occur in nature. Using sterling silver, gold and gemstones, typical combinations include: stars, fur, flower petals, pine needles and bird's wings, alongside machine parts and perfect geometric shapes. Kinetic movement plays an important role in the designs, concentric circles spinning inside hexagons or a stairway of silver folding like a puzzle. Techniques used to create the jewelry include metal forging, intricate soldering, bezel fabrication, gem setting and wire wrapping. The themes are complex and original, but the jewelry itself is very simple and stylish.
BIOGRAPHY
Jennifer grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and studied studio arts at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. While there, she experimented with various media, from photography and film to steel welding and mixed media sculpture. There was a freedom working with precious metals that Jennifer could not find in other media. The malleability, textures, and unlimited possibilities of raw metal continue to excite her creative impulses. Along with the flexibility and natural beauty of metals, the idea of metal as industrial material was an intriguing concept that inspired much of her early pieces, and continues to today.
In 2011, Jennifer's first book, Hot Connections Jewelry (Random House) was published. Hot Connections Jewelry is a complete sourcebook of jewelry making techniques using a torch.Jennifer lives and works in South Boston's Fort Point Channel neighborhood. There, she enjoys a very supportive community of artists and friends.
Cherry Ring Brooch
Regular price $260.00A sterling silver ring crowns this one-of-a-kind brooch. Handmade of Forest Stewardship Council certified, fumed cherry wood. Finished with natural bee's wax.
4" x 4.25" x .5"
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My training and personal development have led me to believe that humans surpass biological processes by creating. The desire to create is the vehicle by which we, as humans, extend our minds and souls beyond the limits of our physical selves. Through the material and creation of the work, I consider the complexities of the cycle of life. I recognize the truth that we are more of the natural world than of the created world. I parallel the ephemeral nature of wood to the experience of life and ask the viewer to consider the stages of life that are often overlooked by society. I have a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty and rather than working against the grain, I work with it.
My training and personal development have led me to believe that humans surpass biological processes by creating. The desire to create is the vehicle by which we, as humans, extend our minds and souls beyond the limits of our physical selves. Through the material and creation of the work, I consider the complexities of the cycle of life. I recognize the truth that we are more of the natural world than of the created world. I parallel the ephemeral nature of wood to the experience of life and ask the viewer to consider the stages of life that are often overlooked by society. I have a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty and rather than working against the grain, I work with it.
BIOGRAPHY
Gustav was exposed to the creation of art as a young boy on the southwest side of Chicago. After working long hours as a laborer, his father spent his free time creating jewelry. This special time passed watching his father would be some of his happiest childhood moments. As a young man, Gustav attended the Art Institute of Chicago where his horizons and understanding of art were greatly broadened. He also spent time at the Chicago Bauhaus Academy where he developed a strong understanding of and appreciation for furniture, cabinetry and the finer aspects of woodworking. His formal training, hands-on experience, and years of dedication to his craft have allowed him to find the point where nature breathes through the form, striking a balance between the contemporary and the ancient and crafting fine art that is deeply personal, contextual and alive.
Redwood Pendant
Regular price $280.00This one-of-a-kind pendant integrates handmade shubuishi mokume gane, made from copper and fine silver, into wood found in Redwood. Reversable. Oxidized 18" sterling silver chain, handmade clasp.
1.5" x 1.5" x .25"
Available now.
STATEMENT
l make contemporary jewelry with many materials, Mokume Gane being the most dominant. I use copper and silver because of their similar working characteristics and contrasting color. I'm inspired to use wood as it complements the Mokume Gane patterns. Fragments of maps find their way into one-of-a-kind pieces if the place has significant relevance.
BIOGRAPHY
Eric has been working with the Mokume-gane technique for nearly 20 years. Drawn to the organic wood-like patterns, it is the primary material in his jewelry and the focus of his workshops. His goal is teaching jewelers and metalsmiths a low-tech, low-cost, and efficient method to making traditional diffusion bonded Mokume-gane. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his printmaker partner, Gretchen and adventure dog, Carmela.
Eric has been working with the Mokume-gane technique for nearly 20 years. Drawn to the organic wood-like patterns, it is the primary material in his jewelry and the focus of his workshops. His goal is teaching jewelers and metalsmiths a low-tech, low-cost, and efficient method to making traditional diffusion bonded Mokume-gane. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his printmaker partner, Gretchen and adventure dog, Carmela.
MORE
Mokume Gane, a technique born out of Japanese metalsmithing translates into English as “wood eye metal”. It is a time consuming process where two or more different metals are alternately stacked, clamped and heated to high temperature. The result is the lamination of all layers into a solid mass of metal, or billet. The billet is then prepared for patterning by forging to half its original thickness. The pattern is started by carving through layers and forging the billet even thinner, or by bumping the surface and grinding through the first several layers. In both cases a very organic wood grain pattern develops. The billet is now usable as sheet metal which can be formed, forged, and soldered.
Linked Necklace
Regular price $300.00Graphic 2-dimensional teardrop chain-link forms connect to large 3-dimensional elongated loops. Hand cut by the artist from brass sheet. Linked with sterling silver loops. Powder coated gloss black and yellow color. One-of-a-kind.
21" L
Ships within 3 days.
by Ashley Buchanan
STATEMENT
My current body of work is a series of hand-cut, powder coated jewelry that focuses on image, pattern and decoration in order to reference ornamentation and historical jewelry. I am interested in a reality that exists through images and representations and how the appearance of an object can substitute for the original. The use of repeated iconic imagery is important to my work in order to establish a familiar identity between the viewer and the object.
BIOGRAPHY
Ashley Buchanan (b. 1986, Atlanta, Georgia), received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from the University of Georgia. Drawing on common jewelry motifs and iconic imagery, she individually hand-cuts silhouettes from sheet metal using a traditional jeweler’s saw. She then applies color using an industrial process called powder coating. This method of painting electrostatically covers metal with a dry pigment, which is then cured under heat to create a durable, uniform finish. Finally, she assembles these components together in order to create new simplified pieces of jewelry that maintain a clean contemporary aesthetic.
Fruit On The Branch Earrings
Regular price $335.00Sterling silver "branches," cast using the lost wax method, are mated to hand carved antique jet to create these one of a kind earrings.
1.3” x .3” x .6”
1.5” x .6” x .5”
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Carbonated Orange Pin
Regular price $350.00This one of a kind pin is hand-carved from laminated exotic woods with carved and polished "bubbles" of orange acrylic, post set, and tie tack pin finding. The wood and acrylic are both carved from the scrap materials of lathe-turned pen handles, using a tiny rotary carving tool. They are sealed with Renaissance Wax to protect the surface.
2” x 1.2” x 1.1”
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Petal Ring
Regular price $375.00Oxidized sterling silver is hand fabricated to create this concave abstract petal. Shape, negative space and oxidized interior conspire to bring balance to this one-of-a-kind ring. Size 5.5.
1.75" x 1.5"
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
There is something so satisfying about moving metal. Through fabrication and forging, I am able to manipulate my materials to create form and space, capturing movement in a solid form.
I love the engineering challenges of putting each piece together. Piercing, bending, forging, pounding to create such intimate sculptures. I am drawn to the inherent obsessiveness of creating these minute compositions, all the while seeking a balance of precision and chaos in each design.
BIOGRAPHY
Melle Finelli studied technical Jewelry making at North Bennett Street School, followed by an eye opening year of sculpture at School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Melle currently lives and works in Boston.
Cellulose Earrings
Regular price $375.00This one of a kind, asymmetrical pair of sterling silver earrings, feature cellulose elements made with wood that was dyed, injected with resin, then carved using a tiny rotary carving tool.
1.8” x .9” x .8”
1.7” x 1.2” x .7”
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Bubble Bath Brooch
Regular price $380.00The tub holding our bubble bath is hand carved from faux bone in this one of a kind piece. The bubbles are hand-carved cultured marble. The sterling silver pin finding is handmade.
3.125" x 1.25" x .5"
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Links and Folds #2
Regular price $380.00Graphic 2-dimensional teardrop chain-link forms connect to large asymmetrical 3-dimensional elongated loops. Hand cut by the artist from brass sheet. Linked with sterling silver loops. Powder coated gloss in cream, one-of-a-kind, available now.
19" overall length
Ships within 3 days.
by Ashley Buchanan
STATEMENT
My current body of work is a series of hand-cut, powder coated jewelry that focuses on image, pattern and decoration in order to reference ornamentation and historical jewelry. I am interested in a reality that exists through images and representations and how the appearance of an object can substitute for the original. The use of repeated iconic imagery is important to my work in order to establish a familiar identity between the viewer and the object.
BIOGRAPHY
Ashley Buchanan (b. 1986, Atlanta, Georgia), received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from the University of Georgia. Drawing on common jewelry motifs and iconic imagery, she individually hand-cuts silhouettes from sheet metal using a traditional jeweler’s saw. She then applies color using an industrial process called powder coating. This method of painting electrostatically covers metal with a dry pigment, which is then cured under heat to create a durable, uniform finish. Finally, she assembles these components together in order to create new simplified pieces of jewelry that maintain a clean contemporary aesthetic.
Links and Lace #2
Regular price $380.00A series of graphic 2-dimensional teardrop chain-link forms, connect symmetrically to two larger contrasting horizontal bars. Hand cut by the artist from brass sheet. Linked with sterling silver loops. Powder coated gloss black color, one-of-a-kind, available now.
18" overall length
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My current body of work is a series of hand-cut, powder coated jewelry that focuses on image, pattern and decoration in order to reference ornamentation and historical jewelry. I am interested in a reality that exists through images and representations and how the appearance of an object can substitute for the original. The use of repeated iconic imagery is important to my work in order to establish a familiar identity between the viewer and the object.
BIOGRAPHY
Ashley Buchanan (b. 1986, Atlanta, Georgia), received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from the University of Georgia. Drawing on common jewelry motifs and iconic imagery, she individually hand-cuts silhouettes from sheet metal using a traditional jeweler’s saw. She then applies color using an industrial process called powder coating. This method of painting electrostatically covers metal with a dry pigment, which is then cured under heat to create a durable, uniform finish. Finally, she assembles these components together in order to create new simplified pieces of jewelry that maintain a clean contemporary aesthetic.
Yellow Dove Brooch
Regular price $415.00The stylized dove in this one-of-a-kind brooch is hand carved from reused corian countertop material. It carries a stylized silver sprig with carved acrylic leaves. The silver pin finding is handmade.
3.1" x 2.7" x .4"
Available now.
by Emily Watson
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Crown Valve Brooch
Regular price $420.00The wood in this one-of-a-kind brooch was been dyed and injected with resin, then laminated with black horn. The two materials were carved together using a tiny rotary tool. The pin finding is handmade from sterling silver with a steel pin stem.
2.6” x 2.2” x 2.5”
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
Sprout Ring
Regular price $425.00Oxidized sprouts peek through a hand fabricated matte sterling silver orb. This abstract botanical ring is one-of-a-kind. Size 4.
1.125" x .75"
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
There is something so satisfying about moving metal. Through fabrication and forging, I am able to manipulate my materials to create form and space, capturing movement in a solid form.
I love the engineering challenges of putting each piece together. Piercing, bending, forging, pounding to create such intimate sculptures. I am drawn to the inherent obsessiveness of creating these minute compositions, all the while seeking a balance of precision and chaos in each design.
BIOGRAPHY
Melle Finelli studied technical Jewelry making at North Bennett Street School, followed by an eye opening year of sculpture at School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Melle currently lives and works in Boston.
Large Structural Square Necklace
Regular price $495.00This large, three-dimensional square pendant was hand fabricated by the artist in sterling Silver with an oxidized finish. Includes a 17" oxidized sterling silver neck wire. Limited edition.
2.5" square, 1" deep
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My ongoing body of work connects my interest in drawing and jewelry using wire as I would use charcoal. The work consists of a series of wearable pieces that reflect an exploration of line, form, volume, movement, structure, geometry, space, light and shadow.
Two of the primary influences for this body of work were The Modern or New Jewelry Movement, which began in Europe in 1970, and the Constructivist Movement, which took place during the early part of the 20th century, primarily in Russia. The influence of these two movements, coupled with my interest in architectural structures, form the basis for this body of work.
For me it is important that the work exist both on and of the body. When not being worn the pieces are to be displayed as a three-dimensional drawing either on the wall or in some other appropriate space, where they can be enjoyed and not locked away in a jewelry box.
The work is hand-fabricated using steel, sterling, and sometimes 18K gold wire. To add a bit of color, I use Plasti-Dip or powder coating.
Donna D’Aquino was born in Newburgh, New York. She received her BS in Design from The State University College of New York at Buffalo in 1989; and her MFA from Kent State University in 2000. She taught at three schools in Ohio: Kent State University, The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art at the University of Akron, and The University of Toledo.
She has won numerous awards including an individual Ohio Arts Council Grant and an Emerging Artist Fellowship from the American Craft Council.
In 2007 she was selected to be included in both the traveling show and the book that accompanied the “Craft in America, Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects”, series done for PBS. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Museum for Contemporary Crafts in Portland, Oregon, and the Charles A. Wustum Museum in Racine, Wisconsin.
Dove with Gaspeite Leaves Brooch
Regular price $515.00The stylized dove in this one-of-a-kind brooch is hand carved from faux bone. Formica and reconstituted stone form the branch and leaves. The sterling silver pin finding is handmade.
2" x 3" x .5"
Ships within 3 days.
STATEMENT
My vision when creating jewelry is based on what I would want to wear. The pieces tend to be larger in scale, with a solid weight that allows them to withstand daily wear. Often simple and modern in form, I pay a lot of attention to details such as movement, mechanisms, and material. In both craft and art, creating something simple that can stand on its own and garner attention is often more difficult than creating something busy. Every line, plane, and surface becomes more important, and the skill of the maker is called on to execute the details of the piece masterfully.
As a perfectionist, I invest a lot of time in the design and execution of every piece; but I also value the handmade, and the physical process a maker chooses to create a finished product. A visual sense of imperfection (minor as it may be) is a beautiful reminder of the maker’s work, and is often what distinguishes a handmade item from a manufactured one. While I repeat certain design or create variations on them, the process of hand-soldering, hand-sanding, and hand-finishing every piece ensures that each one is unique in some way. It also ensures that the “hand” is evident in each one.
My modern designs generally have soft edges and organic elements that humanize them and encourage touch.
BIOGRAPHY
Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
Education:Material is a driving element of Emily's work. She is an enthusiastic traveler, and collect bits and pieces of exotic materials whenever possible. She also believes in saving materials that might otherwise be discarded, and transforming them into something new. She has worked with cut-offs of counter top materials from kitchen installations, wood scraps from furniture building, pieces of vulcanite and meerschaum discarded by retiring pipe makers, and chunks of bakelite sourced from defunct costume jewelry manufacturers. Other materials she consistently uses include: faux bone plastic, acrylic, bowling ball plastic, bone, horn, fossilized mammoth bone, synthetic opal, semi-precious stone, reconstituted stone, vintage amber, jet, and resin.
MFA Metal, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2003
BA with concentration in studio art, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio May 1996
