The techniques
The techniques used tend to fall into one of three main categories: 1) hand wrought (or commonly referred to as hand forged), 2) a modified repousse’ technique, and 3) woven or braided metal (not to be confused with wire wrapped jewelry).
The hand forged and repousse’ jewelry consists of sheets of dead soft metal that has had designs either hammered into them, raised up off the surface of the metal, or pushed through them. A variety of antique and modern anvils, hammers, metal working tools, and patterns cut by the artist in iron are used to initially form the image in the metal. At that point, the metal is folded, bent, and hammered to reduce the cross-section of the metal to the desired working thickness; a technique which is similar to the way antique Japanese swords were produced. The result is a tempered metal which is very strong, thin, and lightweight (as seen in the earrings). A variant of the technique, in contrast, produces hand wrought pieces that are quite heavy, as seen in the one inch cuffs.
Woven metal, a blacksmith technique learned in 1999, in contrast, uses various gauges of dead soft sterling silver wire to create intricate braided designs in metal. Once the metal had been woven the cross-section of the metal is reduced through hammering thereby producing a form of tempered or 'spring' metal. The result, as seen in the woven cuffs and bangles, is a metal that will flex slightly as you slide it over your wrist but will retain its original shape.
Repousse’ work: 14k yellow gold earrings, “mother and child” pattern
Hand wrought sterling silver cuffs, “frost” pattern
Braided metal (blacksmith technique), sterling silver bangles, “crown of thorns” pattern.
Fabricated silver upon a repousse’ background, solid sterling silver belt buckle
